Latvia & nearby
Jūrmala Launches Christmas Decoration Contest with €1,000 Prize
Jūrmala City Council is inviting residents, businesses and institutions to enter its annual Christmas decoration contest. Winners will receive €1,000, and entries are due by 30 December.
Jauns.lv · 7 Nov, 08:12
MICHELIN Guide Latvia 2027 Recommends 35 Restaurants, 12 of Them New
The fourth MICHELIN Guide edition for Latvia recommends 35 restaurants. Two Riga restaurants, Baltā Kaza and Café Mimosa, received the Bib Gourmand award for the first time.
Ziemeļlatvija · 7 Nov, 08:11
Lithuania's Labour Code amendments take effect: probation and dismissal rules change
Amendments to Lithuania's Labour Code that took effect on November 1 extend probation for high earners and change dismissal and final payment rules. Remote work and annual leave provisions are also affected.
LRT English · 7 Nov, 08:11
Loud Car Music Prompts Night-Time Noise Complaint in Ogre
In the night of 31 October, police in Ogre, Latvia, received a complaint about loud music from a car on Brīvības Street. Officers found no loud music on arrival and spoke with the vehicle's owner.
OgreNet · 7 Nov, 08:11
A Month After Latvia's Election, Shape of the New Government Still Unclear
A month after Latvia's 15th Saeima election, it is still unclear whether the winning United List will bring another party into a coalition or hold all ministerial posts itself. Prime ministerial nominee Andris Kulbergs will continue talks next week.
Delfi · 7 Nov, 08:11
Nearly 111,000 People in Estonia Left Without a Permanent Family Doctor
Estonia's National Audit Office reports a growing number of residents without a permanent family doctor, with more physicians retiring in coming years than residency programmes will train. Experts and the minister disagree on solutions.
ERR (rus) · 7 Nov, 08:10
Kuldiga Hospital: State Funding Cut Slows Development as Births and Patient Numbers Rise
Andris Aninsh, chairman of the board of Kuldiga hospital in western Latvia, says state funding for the round-the-clock inpatient unit was cut by almost 700,000 euros this year. This has limited planned service expansion even as patient numbers grow.
Kurzemnieks · 7 Nov, 08:10
Saeima Factions Get Contract Work and Representation Spending Limits for November and December
The Saeima Presidium has set funding limits for the factions of Latvia's 15th Saeima for November and December: 1,000 euros per faction for contract work and 2,000 euros in total for representation costs. Amounts are calculated at ten euros per deputy per month.
Bauskas Dzīve · 7 Nov, 08:10
Latvia's Constitution: Key Facts and Useful Sources on the Satversme
Latvia's Satversme, its constitution, took effect on 7 November 1922 and is among the oldest constitutions still in force in Europe. The LV portal has compiled historical facts and sources for further reading.
LV portāls · 7 Nov, 07:16
Detective Series “Purva ēnas” to Be Filmed in Iecava, Traffic Restrictions Expected
Filming of the new mystery detective series “Purva ēnas” will take place in central Iecava on 8 and 9 November, bringing temporary restrictions on Edvarta Virzas and Raiņa streets. The series is based on a book by Gunts Tālers and is due to premiere on Latvian Television in autumn 2027.
Bauskas Dzīve · 7 Nov, 07:15
Riga Resident Questions Repeat Repairs of Pier Near Akmens Bridge; City Explains the Difference
Riga City Council has approved €1.7 million for water transport projects, but a local resident questions renovating a pier that was already repaired in 2022. The municipality says the current works are meant to adapt the infrastructure for passenger ship traffic.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Nov, 07:15
Valcēni resident on blood cancer diagnosis: treatment, remission and a new view of work
Ināra Lazdiņa, a 68-year-old longtime accountant from Valcēni in northern Latvia, has described being diagnosed with stage three blood cancer and her treatment. She urges people not to delay seeing a doctor if they suspect a health problem.
Ziemeļlatvija · 7 Nov, 07:11
Rēzekne woman's flat put up for auction over debts while she is in psychiatric care
In Rēzekne, eastern Latvia, a bailiff has put up for auction the flat of a woman who is being treated in a psychiatric hospital. Neighbours are worried about her fate and point to the question of her legal capacity.
NRA · 7 Nov, 07:11
Forest scientist Jansons: science and forestry must keep working together
Jurģis Jansons, a leading researcher at the Latvian forest research institute Silava, defends the Latvian Academy of Sciences in an opinion piece and discusses cooperation between forest science and forestry. He says growth in young stands has increased, while mature pre-harvest stands show no improvement.
Delfi · 7 Nov, 07:10
Woman Criticises Hospital Admission Procedures in Latvia in Social Media Post
A woman has criticised the healthcare system in a Facebook post after waiting in a hospital admissions department, urging the Ministry of Health to review the situation. She thanks medical staff but says the problem lies with the system, not the workers.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Nov, 06:13
Latvia's government formation talks to continue; news roundup for 6 November
Prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs will continue government formation talks next week with three parties. The roundup also covers a protest against Russian grain transit, NATO exercises and bomb threats in Europe.
LSM · 7 Nov, 06:13
Kulbergs government: 85% of priority tasks done, but only 71% of the full action plan
Latvia's Cabinet reviewed a State Chancellery report on 6 November on progress against its action plan. Priority ministerial tasks are 85% complete, while the whole plan stands at 71%.
NRA · 7 Nov, 06:13
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Car Hits Minibus in Sigulda After Hasty Left Turn; Both Drivers Unhurt
On the Vidzeme highway in Sigulda, Latvia, a Volkswagen driver made a hasty left turn and crashed into a minibus. Both vehicles were damaged beyond repair, but neither driver was hurt.
Apollo.lv · 7 Nov, 06:12
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Inmate at Tartu prison stabs fellow prisoner in the neck with a pencil
In the recreation room of a prison in Tartu, Estonia, an inmate named Kert stabbed 26-year-old Harry in the neck with a pencil. The source says the story did not end there, as Kert and Kekishev were not finished.
TVNET · 7 Nov, 06:11
Kirovs Lipmans: Latvia Missed Its Economic Opportunities in the 1990s
Businessman Kirovs Lipmans says in the “Latvia 2035” interview series that the early years of restored independence left him with bitterness over missed opportunities. In his view, the country focused too much on politics and too little on the economy.
Jauns.lv · 7 Nov, 06:10
Cloudy but mostly dry weather expected in Latvia on Saturday
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts a cloudy Saturday, 7 November, with light rain only in places. Temperatures will rise to between +4 and +9 degrees Celsius.
Bauskas Dzīve · 7 Nov, 06:10
Estonia Expects Cloudy Saturday with Clear Spells, Up to +9°C
Weather forecast for Estonia on Saturday: cloudy with patches of fog overnight and light rain in places during the day. Daytime temperatures will reach 5–9 degrees above zero.
ERR (rus) · 7 Nov, 05:12
Latvia to turn cooler, with wet snow possible in places
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts a cloudy weekend, with cooler weather at the start of the new week. Rain may be mixed with wet snow in places.
BNN · 7 Nov, 04:10
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Chef Kristīne Strode on her path to the Latvian Restaurant Pastry Chef of the Year title
Qualified and award-winning chef Kristīne Strode has won the title "Latvian Restaurant Pastry Chef of the Year 2026". In an interview she recalls her first cake in childhood and her first competition, where she was late presenting a dish to the jury.
TVNET · 7 Nov, 03:12
Krauklis: Large Number of Inexperienced Deputies in New Saeima Could Threaten Quality of Work
Vents Armands Krauklis, head of the Valka municipality council, said on TV24 that having more than 60 new deputies in the Saeima could affect the quality of decisions and the parliament's efficiency.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Nov, 02:13
Estonian banks gain right to suspend suspicious payments to fight online fraud
Estonia's parliament, the Riigikogu, has passed a law letting banks temporarily suspend suspicious payments and share information with police and other financial institutions. Last year scammers took nearly €30 million from people in Estonia.
ERR News · 7 Nov, 01:13
Court suspends Bartaševičs criminal case after he becomes a Saeima deputy
A Latvian court has suspended proceedings in the criminal case against former Rēzekne mayor Bartaševičs because he has become a member of the Saeima. He is accused of disclosing restricted information and of omitting data from official declarations.
Diena · 7 Nov, 01:12
Estonia considers extra support for researchers as competition for EU research grants surges
Applications to the European Research Council's Starting Grant call rose 60 percent while its budget fell. Estonia's Research Council is weighing wider bridge funding for researchers who narrowly miss out.
ERR News · 7 Nov, 00:12
Father in Zemgale Sentenced to 20 Years in Prison for Sexual Abuse of Minor Daughter
The Zemgale District Court in Latvia this week sentenced a man to 20 years in prison for sexually abusing his underage daughter. He was taken into custody in the courtroom.
Jauns.lv · 7 Nov, 00:12
Restaurant industry figures: Latvians spend more abroad than at home
Representatives of Latvia's restaurant sector explained on a TV programme why Latvia trails Lithuania and Estonia in the Michelin Guide. They pointed to residents' spending habits and Lithuania's reduced VAT rate on catering.
Delfi · 7 Nov, 00:10
Content creator Jana Bruk: more reflection and conversation in her social media posts
Latvian social media personality Jana Bruk says her content now leaves more room for reflection, though her provocative image has not disappeared. She describes the shift as a natural one.
Delfi · 6 Nov, 23:10
Deer tumbles into a ditch in Staburags, and the video amuses social media users
A video from Staburags, Latvia, showing a deer fall into a ditch while running across a meadow has drawn wide attention online. The animal quickly got back up, and commenters joke about it while hoping it was unhurt.
Latvijas Avīze · 6 Nov, 23:10
Latvian scientists confirm iron, manganese and cobalt in Staicele and Gārsene ores
University of Latvia researchers re-analysed iron ores at Staicele and Gārsene using modern methods and confirmed manganese and locally elevated cobalt. Deposits suitable for industrial extraction have not yet been demonstrated.
NRA · 6 Nov, 22:10
New Reference Book Profiles 426 Police Officials of Interwar Latvia
A biographical dictionary covering 426 Latvian police officials from the period between the two world wars was published this autumn. It is among the first such works devoted to rank-and-file civil servants rather than prominent figures.
Delfi · 6 Nov, 22:10
One person killed in head-on collision on A10 road near Varkaļi
One person died in a head-on collision of two cars on the A10 Riga–Ventspils road near Varkaļi in Mārupe municipality. Traffic at the scene was blocked in both directions.
Delfi · 6 Nov, 21:11
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Finance Ministry proposes letting municipalities set their own property tax rates
Latvia's Finance Ministry proposes that from 2029 municipalities be required to set property tax rates and/or limits on tax base growth. The aim is to soften the effect of new cadastral values on residents' payments.
TVNET · 6 Nov, 21:11