Latvia & nearby
Estonia Sends Unit to Latvia to Combat Illegal Migration, Latvia Detains Five Smugglers
Latvia’s border guard detained five people in 24 hours for smuggling migrants, while Estonia deployed a 12-member unit to assist Latvian authorities in preventing illegal border crossings.
ERR (rus) · 21 Jun, 02:21
Latvia prepares for potential Russian legal warfare at UN court
Foreign Minister Baiba Braže acknowledges that Latvia must be ready if Russia sues it at the International Court of Justice, using accusations of discrimination against Russian speakers. The Constitutional Protection Bureau views this as an abuse of legal systems.
LSM · 21 Jun, 02:21
Supreme Court delivers final verdict in case of ceiling collapse at Jūrmala secondary school 12 years ago
The Senate of the Supreme Court of Latvia has made a final ruling in the criminal case regarding the collapse of a suspended ceiling at Jūrmala Pumpuru Secondary School in 2014, where children were only minutes away from being injured.
Apollo.lv · 21 Jun, 02:21
Academy of Internal Security graduates insufficient to fill vacancies in PPA and Rescue Department
Over 500 students graduated from the Academy of Internal Security this year, but state agencies still face staffing shortages. The government will invest €100 million in the academy's development.
ERR (rus) · 21 Jun, 01:21
Saeima Deputies Received Over €1 Million in Compensation; Three Female MPs Top the List
During the current Saeima term, deputies have been paid over one million euros in compensation, mostly for rental costs. The highest recipient is Līga Kozlovska (ZZS) with €39,000.
Delfi · 21 Jun, 01:21
Train driver reveals daily risks: animals, breakdowns, and people on the tracks
Artūrs Šiškovs, a train driver for Vivi, describes how each trip is unpredictable, from overhead line faults to tragic incidents where people end up under the train. Two such cases have occurred in the past month.
Apollo.lv · 21 Jun, 01:21
/nginx/o/2026/06/18/17727155t1h2155.jpg)
Vilnius to display 16th-century monarch burial crowns unseen for nearly a century
Starting July 9, the Vilnius Church Heritage Museum will exhibit the burial regalia of 16th-century Lithuanian and Polish rulers, hidden in the cathedral crypts at the start of World War II and rediscovered in 2024.
TVNET · 21 Jun, 01:21
14th Saeima deputies compensated 617,001 euros for housing rent
According to LTV's "Panorāma", deputies of the 14th Saeima received 617,001 euros in housing rent compensation. Compared to previous parliaments, spending is similar, but not all deputies are willing to explain the details.
LSM · 21 Jun, 00:21
New staircase opened in Muraste after legal battle with residents
In Muraste, Harku parish, one of the largest infrastructure projects in recent years has been completed – a new staircase leading to the coast, despite opposition and a court case from local residents.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jun, 23:22
Temperatures to Reach 28°C in Eastern and Southern Estonia on June 21
Estonia will experience warm weather on Sunday, June 21, with temperatures up to 28°C in eastern and southern regions, but with scattered showers and thunderstorms.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jun, 22:21
Woman Who Fell from Window in Old Riga in April Dies in Hospital
The young woman, approximately 20 years old, who fell from a fourth-floor window on Teātra Street in Old Riga in April and sustained severe injuries, has died in hospital.
Jauns.lv · 20 Jun, 21:20
Private programming school kood/Jõhvi expands to Moldova; director notes AI's impact
The Estonian private programming school kood/Jõhvi, founded five years ago, launched a program in Moldova this spring. Director Lauri Haav says AI makes things more interesting but also raises anxiety.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jun, 21:20
Citizenship and Migration Board Halts Case Against Latvian Guard Nikita Obozny; He Keeps Citizenship
The PMLP has discontinued proceedings to revoke Latvian citizenship from Nikita Obozny, a Latvian-born Home Guard serviceman raised in orphanages, after determining that he never legally held Ukrainian citizenship.
LSM (rus) · 20 Jun, 21:20
Police in Daugavpils Catch First Drunk Drivers During Midsummer Celebrations
Latvian State Police have intensified road checks in Daugavpils, already apprehending the first drivers under the influence, and reminding revelers to plan safe transport if drinking.
LSM · 20 Jun, 21:20
/nginx/o/2026/02/20/17461415t1h269b.jpg)
Trial of Kazanovskis Accused of Large-Scale VAT Fraud to Resume in August
The Economic Affairs Court will continue hearing the criminal case against Kaspars Kazanovskis on August 4 at 1 PM. He is accused of tax evasion and money laundering involving more than €1.4 million, as part of a major international VAT fraud scheme.
TVNET · 20 Jun, 20:20
Orphanage-Raised Latvian National Guardsman Nikita Oboznij to Keep Citizenship – Never Had Ukrainian Citizenship
The Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs will drop the case to revoke Latvian citizenship from Nikita Oboznij, as it discovered he never formally held Ukrainian citizenship.
LSM · 20 Jun, 20:20
Voog: Isamaa has more potential to increase support than Centre Party
According to sociologist Aivar Voog, Estonia's Isamaa party has broader opportunities to attract voters from liberal parties, while the Centre Party mainly competes with Isamaa and EKRE.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jun, 19:21
Pro-Kremlin activists from Baltic states flee to Belarus for propaganda mission
A Lithuanian activist facing trial and a controversial Latvian politician unexpectedly traveled to Minsk in early May to conduct propaganda activities.
LSM (rus) · 20 Jun, 19:21
Organizer: Funds Raised by 'Duck Rally' Give Hope to Dozens of Families
This year's 'Duck Rally' charity event raised €493,000, enabling Estonia to introduce a new cancer treatment method – CAR-T cell therapy.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jun, 18:20
Estonia's Online Gambling Tax Cut Fails to Attract New Operators
Estonia's reduction of online gambling tax has not attracted the expected wave of new operators, despite hopes of boosting investment and tax revenue.
ERR News · 20 Jun, 17:21
/nginx/o/2026/06/20/17732908t1h4c2f.jpg)
Jurmala Hospital Seeks Chief Doctor, Offers Salary from €3,500 During Trial Period
Jurmala Hospital is looking for a chief physician, offering a salary of at least €3,500 during the probation period. Applications are due by June 26.
TVNET · 20 Jun, 17:21
/nginx/o/2026/06/20/17732970t1h97f8.jpg)
Latvia Signs €3.5 Billion Loan Agreement to Strengthen Defense
Latvia has signed a €3.5 billion SAFE loan agreement to bolster defense and security capabilities; the first tranche of €524.7 million is expected within weeks.
Apollo.lv · 20 Jun, 17:21
Tsahkna: Pushing Europe into neutral mediator role would be a trap from Russia
Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna warned against Europe being drawn into a neutral mediator role with Russia, calling it a trap. He urged strategic patience, increased pressure on Russia, and firm support for Ukraine.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jun, 17:21
Saving Water: Simple Steps to Reduce Consumption and Bills
In Latvia, the average annual water consumption per person is 19 cubic meters. Saving water helps preserve resources, lowers bills, and reduces environmental impact. Even small daily changes can make a significant difference.
Delfi · 20 Jun, 17:20
Estonia's Language Law Changes Could Reduce ETV+ Viewership, Warns Editor
The editor-in-chief of ETV+ warns that new restrictions on dubbing foreign content could lead to a loss of viewers, especially among older Russian-speaking audiences. The law bans dubbing of non-Estonian content into other foreign languages, except for children's programming.
ERR News · 20 Jun, 16:21
/nginx/o/2026/06/20/17732892t1h7fb9.png)
Concrete Truck Loses Tank on Riga Ring Road A5
On Saturday, the tank of a concrete mixer truck detached and fell onto the road on the Riga ring road A5 near the hydroelectric plant. No injuries reported, traffic unaffected.
Apollo.lv · 20 Jun, 16:20
/nginx/o/2026/06/20/17732900t1h741c.png)
Concrete mixer truck loses tank on Riga bypass
On Saturday, the tank of a concrete mixer truck detached on the Riga bypass A5 near the hydroelectric plant, with no injuries reported and traffic unaffected.
TVNET · 20 Jun, 16:20
Concrete Drum Detaches from Truck on Rīga Ring Road Near HES
On Saturday, on the Rīga bypass A5 near the Rīga Hydroelectric Power Plant, a concrete mixer truck lost its drum, which remained on the roadway.
Jauns.lv · 20 Jun, 16:20
/nginx/o/2026/06/20/17732646t1h8680.jpg)
Shortest Night of the Year Expected in Latvia
The night from Saturday to Sunday will be the shortest night of the year in Latvia, as the summer solstice occurs at 11:24 a.m. on Sunday. In Riga, the night will last only six hours and eight minutes, while elsewhere it ranges from five hours 48 minutes to six hours 28 minutes.
Apollo.lv · 20 Jun, 15:21
Motorcyclist Killed in Ida-Virumaa Crash
A motorcyclist died in a serious traffic accident in Narva-Jõesuu on the afternoon of June 20; the car driver was taken to hospital.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jun, 15:20
Two Accidents in Jūrmala Within Short Time, No Injuries
On Saturday, June 20, two separate accidents occurred in Jūrmala: a collision between two cars and a car hitting an obstacle; no one was injured.
TVNET · 20 Jun, 14:21
Tram track repair on Tartu Highway in Tallinn completed
From June 22, normal traffic will resume on Tartu Highway in Tallinn after the replacement of tram rails. The project cost over half a million euros.
ERR (rus) · 20 Jun, 14:20
Supreme Court finds Environmental Board's 2020 wolf hunting quota illegal
Estonia's Supreme Court ruled that the Environmental Board's 2020 order allowing 140 wolves to be hunted was unlawful as it did not consider the stricter protections of the Bern Convention in force at the time.
ERR News · 20 Jun, 13:21
/nginx/o/2026/06/20/17732463t1h1d2b.jpg)
Average disability pension in Latvia reaches 346 euros in April
The average disability pension in Latvia in April 2026 was 346.18 euros, up by 3.33 euros from March, according to the State Social Insurance Agency.
TVNET · 20 Jun, 13:20
Cultural Envoy: Estonian Performers Proudly Represent Their Homeland on Every Stage
Merit Kopli, former editor-in-chief of Postimees and Estonia's cultural representative in Germany for a decade, returns home, highlighting that Estonian artists always mention their origin and that cultural diplomacy is crucial for security.
ERR News · 20 Jun, 12:21
/nginx/o/2026/06/20/17732454t1h4152.jpg)
Meisters: Persons involved in Rail Baltica criminal case may be identified this year
Latvia's Prosecutor General Juris Meisters has stated that this year, procedural statuses for individuals in the Rail Baltica criminal case are expected to be determined, though the investigation is unlikely to conclude.
TVNET · 20 Jun, 12:20