Latvia & nearby (113)

Lithuania's parliament backs removing constitutional nuclear weapons ban

Lithuania's Seimas voted on Tuesday to advance a constitutional amendment removing the ban on stationing weapons of mass destruction and foreign military bases on its territory, potentially opening the door to future NATO nuclear deployment. The measure still requires further votes, with a final decision expected in January 2027.

LRT English · 22 Sept, 17:46

Internet outage affects dozens of "Bite Latvija" customers in Jelgava

A local fixed internet service disruption has been reported in Jelgava's Loka maģistrāle area, affecting 83 "Bite Latvija" subscribers.

Apollo.lv · 22 Sept, 16:47

Nauseda: New US Troop Rotation Heading to Lithuania

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda has announced that a new rotation of US troops is on its way to Lithuania, confirming Washington's continued military commitment to the country. The exact number of troops remains unclear, but it will not decrease.

ERR (rus) · 22 Sept, 16:47

Latvia to require mobile operators to enable national roaming during crisis situations from 2027

Latvia's government approved a decision on Tuesday, September 22, requiring mobile operators to enable national roaming during crisis situations starting July 2027. The amendments to the Electronic Communications Law still need approval from the Saeima to take effect.

LSM (rus) · 22 Sept, 16:43

PM Kulbergs signs order freezing salaries for part of public administration staff

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has signed an order freezing salaries next year for a number of public administration employees. Details on which institutions and positions will be affected have not yet been disclosed.

LSM · 22 Sept, 14:47

Latvia to freeze salaries of several state officials again next year

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has signed an order freezing base salaries for numerous state officials, including ministers and lawmakers, in 2027. Their pay will remain at 2025 levels for another year.

Delfi · 22 Sept, 14:47

Janičenoks' drunk driving case to be heard in oral proceedings

The criminal case against Kristaps Janičenoks, former executive director of the 2025 EuroBasket men's tournament, concerning driving under the influence will now proceed via oral court hearings, the LETA news agency has confirmed.

TVNET · 22 Sept, 14:46

PM Kulbergs signs order freezing salaries for some public administration workers next year

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs of the United List party has signed an order freezing the salaries of a number of public administration employees next year.

LSM (rus) · 22 Sept, 14:43

Wet and gloomy weather to grip Latvia on Wednesday

Latvia's forecasters expect cloudy, rainy weather across most of the country on Wednesday, with temperatures dropping to between +7 and +15 degrees. Riga will see rain in the morning before winds ease and the sun breaks through later.

Jauns.lv · 22 Sept, 14:43

Latvia extradites three suspects in arson at Milrem Robotics defense plant to Estonia

Latvia last week handed over to Estonia three Latvian citizens suspected of setting fire to a building used by defense company Milrem Robotics in Tallinn. A court has ordered them held in custody.

ERR (rus) · 22 Sept, 13:46

Mid-September in Latvia runs 2 degrees warmer than normal

Air temperature in Latvia during the second ten days of September was 2.1 degrees above the seasonal norm. The average temperature reached +14.2 degrees Celsius.

LSM (rus) · 22 Sept, 13:46

Tax authority imposes security measure on operator of sanctioned "Mere" stores

Latvia's State Revenue Service has imposed a security measure on SIA "Latprodukti", the operator of the "Mere" stores that were closed due to sanctions. The information was reported by the portal "Firmas.lv".

TVNET · 22 Sept, 11:50

NATO jets scrambled over Latvia found no confirmation of drone

NATO Baltic air policing fighter jets were scrambled over Latvia on Monday evening, but failed to confirm that an object picked up by national military sensors was actually a drone.

Apollo.lv · 22 Sept, 11:50

New Unity stresses rule of law and Euro-Atlantic course ahead of elections

Ahead of Saeima elections, the New Unity party alliance reaffirmed its core principles — rule of law, protection of Latvian culture, and strong support for Ukraine. The party notes that many values taken for granted today are the result of political choices.

Latvijas Avīze · 22 Sept, 10:47

Election officials hope to avoid last year's municipal election mistakes

Officials responsible for organizing the upcoming Saeima elections said on Monday they are prepared for a successful vote, while acknowledging that unforeseen problems can never be entirely ruled out.

Apollo.lv · 22 Sept, 10:46

Opinion: state bonuses for athletes' achievements spark inequality concerns

Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers recently distributed over 1.5 million euros in bonuses to Latvian athletes for achievements in international competitions. A commentary argues the system creates a sense of inequality and raises questions about the use of taxpayer money.

Delfi · 22 Sept, 10:45

Former EP election candidate who fled to Russia films video praising Moscow train station toilets

Olga Čerņavska, a former homemaker who once ran as an EP election candidate for the Jaunlatvieši Union list, has moved from Latvia to Russia and posted a social media video comparing Moscow's train station restrooms favorably to Riga Central Station. Latvian commenters responded with irony.

Jauns.lv · 22 Sept, 10:44

Border and military infrastructure in Võrumaa becomes an unlikely tourist attraction

In Estonia's Võrumaa county near the Russian border, tourists are increasingly asking to see border and Baltic defence line installations, prompting local tourism businesses to adjust their offerings.

ERR (rus) · 22 Sept, 10:43

Riga court to continue reviewing drink-driving case against Janičenoks

The Riga Regional Court will hold a written-procedure hearing on Tuesday in the case of Kristaps Janičenoks, former executive director of the 2025 EuroBasket men's tournament, over driving under the influence.

TVNET · 22 Sept, 09:47

Uzbek national detained at Riga shopping centre for offering money to minors for sexual acts

Police detained a 1998-born Uzbek citizen at a Riga shopping centre after he offered underage girls money to engage in sexual acts. He has been remanded in custody as the investigation continues.

Latvijas Avīze · 22 Sept, 09:47

Defence Minister: No Direct Military Invasion Threat to Latvia

Latvia's Defence Minister Raivis Melnis said in a Latvian Radio interview that the level of conventional threat to Latvia has not changed and there is still no direct threat of military invasion, though he acknowledged hybrid attacks could intensify.

LSM (rus) · 22 Sept, 09:45

40 days since doctor Ārija Lāce went missing in Nepal: loved ones invite public to remember her

It has been almost 40 days since Latvian doctor Ārija Lāce disappeared in the Nepal floods. On October 5 a memorial gathering will be held at the Blackheads House in Riga for anyone who knew her.

Jauns.lv · 22 Sept, 09:44

Ombudsperson inspects Latvian children's homes, finds serious first violations

Ombudsperson Karina Palkova is personally visiting children's homes across Latvia and has uncovered serious child rights violations at one facility in Latgale. A special report on systemic problems is due in November.

Delfi · 22 Sept, 09:43

Bank of Estonia to issue silver coin honoring the Forest Brothers

On Tuesday, September 22, the Bank of Estonia is releasing a commemorative silver coin dedicated to the Forest Brothers. The coin is part of a series honoring resistance movements.

ERR (rus) · 22 Sept, 09:43

1,100 people have filed first-time asylum requests in Latvia since start of year

By the end of August, 1,100 people had filed first-time asylum applications in Latvia, according to the head of the Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs. The figure was shared during a television interview.

TVNET · 22 Sept, 08:48

Maternity Ward Closed in Balvi — Pregnant Women in Border Region Unsure Where to Get Care

Since September, the maternity ward at Balvi Hospital has stopped operating, leaving pregnant women in the border region without nearby access to midwife services. The Health Ministry and hospital management offer differing explanations for the closure.

LSM (rus) · 22 Sept, 08:48

Latgale marks 25th edition of poetry and music festival “Upīte's Apple Orchard”

The village of Upīte in Latgale has hosted the 25th edition of Latvia's oldest love-poetry and song festival, “Upītes ābeļdārzs,” featuring twelve poets and several music groups. Each participant was required to include at least one poem by festival founder Antons Slišāns.

LaKuga · 22 Sept, 08:46

One dead, eight injured in single day on Latvia's roads

Over the past 24 hours, 134 traffic accidents were recorded on Latvia's roads, leaving one person dead and eight injured. Police simultaneously stepped up enforcement as part of the ROADPOL Safety Days campaign.

Jauns.lv · 22 Sept, 08:45

Ogresgals Primary School to hold first-ever practical drills for air threat response

On Friday, Ogresgals Primary School will conclude a cycle of drills in which fire and rescue authorities are testing, for the first time since Latvia restored its independence, how schools respond to air threat scenarios.

OgreNet · 22 Sept, 08:44

Smiltene opens new co-creation space, driven by long-time community activist Līga Krūmiņa

The “Smiltenei un Latvijai” association has opened a new co-creation space in Lejas Varicēni, Smiltene municipality. Behind the initiative is Līga Krūmiņa, who since September 1 has also become an NGO project manager at the Smiltene municipality government.

Ziemeļlatvija · 22 Sept, 07:50

Tense night over the Baltics: Vilnius airport briefly halts flights, NATO jets scrambled over Latgale

Overnight into September 22, Vilnius airport imposed hours-long airspace restrictions amid a suspected hybrid attack blamed on Belarus, while Latvia scrambled NATO fighters the same evening over a possible airspace threat in Latgale.

Latvijas Avīze · 22 Sept, 07:47

Border Guard prevents 29 illegal crossing attempts from Belarus into Latvia on Monday

Latvia's State Border Guard prevented 29 attempts by people trying to illegally cross into the country from Belarus on Monday. The incident reflects the ongoing migration pressure along the eastern border.

TVNET · 22 Sept, 07:46

Latvian schools to hold first-ever air threat response drills

Four Latvian schools will hold practical drills this week to test their response plans for air threat scenarios, organized by the Interior Ministry together with the State Fire and Rescue Service.

Jauns.lv · 22 Sept, 07:43

Estonia turns back 23 foreigners at Russian border over the weekend

Estonian border guards refused entry to 23 foreign nationals arriving from Russia over the weekend, mostly due to missing documents. Most cases were recorded at southeastern crossing points and in Narva.

ERR (rus) · 22 Sept, 07:43