Latvia & nearby (109)

From vacant property to "Lakeside Wellness": new tenants reveal plans for Rēzekne spa

Rēzekne municipality's spa centre, previously linked to the city's financial difficulties, has been leased to SIA "KIK Wellness Rezekne," which plans to develop it under the "Lakeside Wellness Rēzekne" brand.

LSM · 24 Sept, 18:41

Estonia to auction off former Tallinn Music High School buildings in Nõmme

State Real Estate Ltd. has launched an online auction for the former Tallinn Music High School complex in Tallinn's Nõmme district, with a starting price of €6.09 million. The school operated there from 1961 to 2022.

ERR News · 24 Sept, 17:46

Over 700 pupils take part in air raid drill at Riga school

More than 700 students participated in an air raid alarm drill at Riga Secondary School No. 64 on Thursday. The State Fire and Rescue Service says such exercises help reduce children's anxiety in case of a real alert.

LSM · 24 Sept, 17:45

Latvia sets special work rules for energy sector staff during threats such as drones

Latvia's parliament has passed amendments to the Energy Law establishing clear procedures for energy companies to operate during drone incursions, terrorism threats or emergencies. The new rules take effect on October 1, 2026.

Jauns.lv · 24 Sept, 17:45

Latvia bars entry to father of Saeima candidate Julija Stepaņenko

Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has indefinitely banned Sergejs Fedotovs, father of 15th Saeima election candidate Julija Stepaņenko, from entering the country after reports linked him to an arms dealer and production for the Russian military. Several Latvian security services are now reviewing the origin of his funds and other potential security risks.

LSM (rus) · 24 Sept, 17:42

Legal Affairs Committee receives another proposed constitutional amendment on 'two genders'

On Thursday the Saeima referred a new draft amendment to the Constitution on recognizing only two genders to the Legal Affairs Committee, even though a similar proposal has sat unreviewed there since summer.

Delfi · 24 Sept, 17:41

Foreign Minister Braže bans Stepaņenko's father Fedotov from entering Latvia

Latvia's Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has placed Sergei Fedotov, the Russia-based father of prime ministerial candidate Jūlija Stepaņenko, on the country's list of undesirable persons over his firm's years-long material support for Russia's army in Ukraine.

Delfi · 24 Sept, 16:47

Latvian parliament approves sending up to 20 troops for Strait of Hormuz demining mission

On Thursday, September 24, the Saeima approved the participation of Latvia's National Armed Forces in a multinational military operation to demine the Strait of Hormuz, with plans to send up to 20 servicemembers.

LSM (rus) · 24 Sept, 16:45

Saeima calls for halt to Russian and Belarusian grain transit through Latvia

Latvia's parliament has called on the government to draft rules banning the transit of Russian and Belarusian grain through Latvian territory, closing a gap left by the existing import ban.

Jauns.lv · 24 Sept, 16:45

Alūksne resident asks Prosecutor General's Office to probe alleged police inaction after attack

Elita Loča from Alūksne has asked Latvia's Prosecutor General's Office to investigate possible inaction by State Police officials linked to an attack on her in 2020, after a court already issued a separate ruling on the matter.

Apollo.lv · 24 Sept, 16:43

Saeima urgently introduces border control for grain shipments from third countries

Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, urgently passed amendments to the Law on the Circulation of Animal Feed, requiring border control for grain shipments entering Latvia from countries outside the European Union. The change alters how such consignments are checked before reaching the domestic market.

Apollo.lv · 24 Sept, 15:46

Re:Check reviews: how many of parties' pre-election promises on economy and governance were kept

The Re:Check fact-checking project by Re:Baltica analyzed how many economic promises made by political parties four years ago have actually been fulfilled. The finding — very little has been delivered.

LSM (rus) · 24 Sept, 15:45

Husband Juris reveals the backstory of his relationship with missing Anna

Latvian broadcaster 360TV is preparing a three-part documentary investigation into one of Latvia's most talked-about missing person cases, in which Anna's husband Juris shares memories of how their relationship began. According to the report's headline, even those closest to Anna did not know she was pregnant.

Latvijas Avīze · 24 Sept, 15:44

Estonia relaunches chaplain hotline amid steady demand for emotional support

Estonia's chaplain hotline is returning on the number 126 from Friday evening, as demand for emotional support by phone remains high. The service, once state-funded, now runs on a far smaller budget covered by the Tartu Academy of Theology.

ERR News · 24 Sept, 15:43

Latvia's Parliament Fast-Tracks Border Controls for Grain Shipments from Third Countries

Latvia's Saeima on Thursday, September 24, urgently adopted in its final reading a law amendment introducing border checks for grain cargo arriving from non-EU countries, aimed at preventing goods stolen from Ukraine from transiting through Latvian territory.

LSM · 24 Sept, 15:42

Estonian housing prices up 6% year on year as market shows signs of recovery

Statistics Estonia data show housing prices rose 6% year on year, with industry figures pointing to renewed buyer interest after a prolonged downturn. Growth is now driven mainly by the secondary market, while new-build sales lag behind.

ERR News · 24 Sept, 15:39

Expedition to Poland uncovers new evidence about Latvian Legion's 15th Division

An expert team organized by the Daugavas Vanagi association traveled to a former West Prussian area in Poland in August, where soldiers of the Latvian Legion's 15th Division were stationed at the end of World War II, and found new evidence of their presence. The search also continues for possible burial sites of fallen soldiers and ways to repatriate remains to Latvia.

Delfi · 24 Sept, 12:48

Tallinn music and ballet school seeks €380,000 from ministry to finish school year

The Tallinn School of Music and Ballet (MUBA) has asked Estonia's Ministry of Education and Research for nearly €380,000 in extra funding to cover a budget shortfall and complete the current academic year without disruption. The school's director says a disproportionately large budget cut is the main cause.

ERR News · 24 Sept, 12:47

Sārts: Russia Is Poisoning Large Language Models in Context of Latvia's Elections

Jānis Sārts, director of the NATO Strategic Communications Centre of Excellence, told the magazine "Ir" that Russia is deliberately working to influence, or "poison," large language models in connection with Latvia's elections.

TVNET · 24 Sept, 12:47

Complaints emerge over rude public bus driver on Bauska route

A woman shared on social media that a public bus driver was rude to passengers on the Bauska route, using inappropriate language after being confronted about his behavior. Carrier Nordeka confirmed it had already received several similar complaints about the driver.

Latvijas Avīze · 24 Sept, 12:45

Lithuania sets date for next local elections

Lithuania's parliament has decided that mayoral and municipal council elections will take place on March 7 next year, with 1,494 council members and 60 mayors to be elected.

LRT English · 24 Sept, 12:43

Rail Baltic delay disappoints Estonian municipalities and businesses

Estonian municipalities and companies along the Tallinn–Pärnu Rail Baltic route expressed disappointment after the Baltic prime ministers decided to push the project's completion from 2030 to 2034. Estonia's infrastructure minister says the Tallinn–Pärnu section could still be prioritized.

ERR (rus) · 24 Sept, 11:47

Insurers have already paid out more than €5 million for damage from August storm

Insurance companies operating in Latvia have so far paid out more than €5.5 million in compensation for damage caused by a storm in August. The information was confirmed to the LETA news agency by the Latvian Insurers Association (LAA).

LSM (rus) · 24 Sept, 11:47

Skrīveri Dendrological Park replants trees grown from its own seeds in Kalsnava

An autumn festival marking the 135th anniversary of Skrīveri Dendrological Park included the planting of young trees grown in Kalsnava from seeds originally collected in the park. The event was organized by park manager Latvijas valsts meži (LVM).

Staburags · 24 Sept, 11:47

First of a hundred "Organic farming here" signs installed in Kocēni parish

On EU Organic Food Day, the "Kaņepītes" farm in Valmiera municipality unveiled the first of a hundred signs that the Latvian Organic Agriculture Association will place at certified organic farms across the country. Similar signs will soon appear in nearly every Latvian municipality.

Valmieras Ziņas · 24 Sept, 11:46

Estonia's first resident ambassador to Azerbaijan presents credentials in Baku

Tiina Nirk, Estonia's first resident ambassador to Azerbaijan, presented her credentials to President Ilham Aliyev on Tuesday, with talks covering economic ties, green energy and support for Ukraine.

ERR News · 24 Sept, 11:46

Handmade toys ease hospital stays for children in Latvia

A Jelgava-based volunteer group led by Vaira Bergmane has sewn and delivered more than 12,000 handmade toys to hospitalized children over the past two years.

Zemgales Ziņas · 24 Sept, 11:43

Reform Party eyes at least 20 seats, will contest Estonian elections with current PM

Reform Party MP Liina Kersna said the party will go into the upcoming Riigikogu elections with current Prime Minister Kristen Michal, aiming for a result of at least 20 seats.

ERR News · 24 Sept, 10:43

One dead, five injured in Latvia's road accidents on Wednesday

Latvia's State Police reported 124 traffic accidents nationwide on Wednesday, in which one person died and five others were injured.

Apollo.lv · 24 Sept, 09:47

Trial over shooting of three dogs in Brunava parish postponed to November

A Zemgale district court hearing in a criminal case over the shooting of three dogs in Bauska municipality's Brunava parish will resume on 25 November after September's session was cancelled.

Bauskas Dzīve · 24 Sept, 09:47

Shoppers upset over changes to “Karlsons” ice cream composition

A social media discussion has erupted over the popular “Karlsons” ice cream, after a user noted its ingredients list contains vegetable oils and natural cream flavoring instead of actual cream. Many commenters complain the taste has worsened, while others say the composition has long been known.

Latvijas Avīze · 24 Sept, 09:41

LRT prepares third episode on preserving Latgale's cultural-historical heritage

Latgale Regional Television will air the third episode of the series "Latgale's Treasure Chest – Revival II" on September 27, focusing on the restoration of old wooden buildings and art valuables. The episode covers events in Ludza and Pasiene.

LaKuga · 24 Sept, 08:47

The Insider: Father of PM candidate Stepaņenko ran firm that made anti-tank barriers for Russian army

Independent outlet The Insider has found that a construction company owned by the father of Latvian PM candidate Jūlija Stepaņenko produced anti-tank “dragon's teeth” for the Russian military after the invasion of Ukraine began. Sergejs Fedotovs has confirmed he is her father and previously gifted her cash and a Riga apartment.

BNN · 24 Sept, 08:46

Cert.lv: Cyberattackers especially interested in population registries ahead of elections

Cert.lv deputy head Varis Teivāns says the number of cyberattack attempts against Latvia is very high in the week before parliamentary elections, though most are repelled. Attackers show particular interest in various population registries.

Bauskas Dzīve · 24 Sept, 08:45