Latvia & nearby
Justice Minister demands explanation from judge accused of assaulting wife
Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns has demanded a written explanation from Raimonds Rinčs, head of the Criminal Cases panel at the Zemgale Regional Court, following public claims he physically assaulted his wife while intoxicated. The minister will decide on possible disciplinary proceedings after receiving the explanation.
Latvijas Avīze · 21 Sept, 17:46
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Prosecutors reopen criminal case over deadly Krustkalni fire
Prosecutors have decided to reopen the criminal case into the tragic fire in Krustkalni, in which two children died and the children's mother and another child were injured.
Apollo.lv · 21 Sept, 17:45
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VARAM State Secretary Balševics suspended, pay halted
Latvia's Minister for Smart Administration and Regional Development Edgars Tavars has suspended the ministry's State Secretary Edvīns Balševics from his post and halted his salary payments.
TVNET · 21 Sept, 17:44
Former Tallinn deputy mayor urges fix for Estonia's unregulated short-term rental market
Former Tallinn deputy mayor Joosep Vimm criticizes Estonia's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications for years of inaction on regulating short-term rentals, which he says costs the state tens of millions of euros in lost tax revenue. He calls for a registry and expanded powers for local governments.
ERR News · 21 Sept, 16:49
Estonia's Elering prepares grid for new 1,500 MW of generation capacity
Estonian transmission operator Elering has drawn up a grid development plan to prepare for connecting new generation facilities totaling 1,500 megawatts and to reinforce the network in major cities. The grid is not yet ready for 1,000-megawatt data centers.
ERR (rus) · 21 Sept, 16:49
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PM Kulbergs: Government to decide this week on cutting fuel prices to the "allowed minimum"
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says the government plans to decide this week on measures to lower fuel prices. The goal is to bring prices down to the lowest level considered possible.
Apollo.lv · 21 Sept, 16:47
Six detained in major drug trafficking operation in Riga and Ādaži
Police last week detained an organized group of six people suspected of drug trafficking in an operation covering Riga's Ķengarags district and Ādaži. A large quantity of various narcotic substances was seized.
LSM · 21 Sept, 16:46
Sigulda municipality collects 31 tonnes of used tyres in take-back campaign
Over two weeks, residents of Sigulda municipality handed in around 3,400 car tyres, totaling 31 tonnes, during a free collection campaign. The drive was organized by company "JUMIS" together with "Latvijas Zaļais punkts".
Jauns.lv · 21 Sept, 16:45
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"I Want to Help Refugees" association urges government to reject IeM migration report
The association "I Want to Help Refugees" (GPB) has sharply criticized a report prepared by the Interior Ministry on implementing migration restriction recommendations and is calling on the government to reject it at tomorrow's meeting.
TVNET · 21 Sept, 16:45
Government to decide on fuel price cut of up to 20 cents per litre
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has announced that the government will this week decide on measures to reduce fuel prices by up to 20 cents per litre. The changes could take effect from October 1 through the end of the year.
Delfi · 21 Sept, 15:49
LSM.lv's "Party Sorter" tool used over 50,000 times ahead of 15th Saeima elections
Public broadcaster LSM.lv's interactive voter tool "Party Sorter" had been used more than 50,000 times by the afternoon of September 21, ahead of the 15th Saeima elections.
LSM · 21 Sept, 15:48
Russian captain suspected in undersea cable break denies all charges
Captain Andrei Maksimenko of the vessel Fitburg denied aggravated sabotage charges in court over damage to undersea cables in the Gulf of Finland. His case is being heard at the Helsinki District Court.
ERR (rus) · 21 Sept, 15:46
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Wind to strengthen during the day on Tuesday
Forecasters say brief rain showers are expected overnight into Tuesday in parts of Latvia, while wind will strengthen during the day on Tuesday.
Apollo.lv · 21 Sept, 15:46
Estonia's outgoing president gives office chief €11,200 bonus amid staff cuts
Estonian President Alar Karis has awarded Office of the President director Krista Zibo an €11,200 bonus for 2026, the second large bonus in recent months, as her post was also made permanent shortly before a new president takes office.
ERR News · 21 Sept, 15:45
ETV+ show "Horizont" to cover Russia's Duma election and a Tallinn sobering-up station
On Monday, September 21, Estonia's Russian-language channel ETV+ will air an episode of "Horizont" featuring segments on Russia's State Duma election, a Tallinn sobering-up facility, and search-and-rescue dog handlers.
ERR (rus) · 21 Sept, 14:43
Source of water contamination in Saue could not be identified
E. coli bacteria was found in private wells in the northwestern part of the Estonian town of Saue in mid-August, but despite extensive testing, the exact source of the contamination could not be determined. No contamination was found in the centralized water supply.
ERR (rus) · 21 Sept, 13:49
Thunderstorm with heavy rain crosses central Latvia
Latvia's meteorological agency LVĢMC has issued a yellow-level thunderstorm warning for central regions of the country, valid Monday from 12:28 to 20:00. Residents are urged to seek shelter indoors.
Delfi · 21 Sept, 13:47
Mērsrags tragedy: police complete investigation into fatal crash that killed 10-year-old cyclist
State Police have concluded their investigation into a May crash in Mērsrags, where a driver overtaking a cyclist struck the boy, causing fatal injuries. The case has been forwarded to prosecutors to decide on criminal charges.
Latvijas Avīze · 21 Sept, 13:45
Latvia's State Forests recognizes top forestry service providers in all eight regions
State joint-stock company Latvijas valsts meži has honored forestry companies that achieved the best results and cooperation in 2025 across its eight operating regions.
Jauns.lv · 21 Sept, 13:43
Tallinn Airport passenger terminal to be expanded
Estonia has selected the winner of a tender for expanding Tallinn Airport's passenger terminal, a project worth 67 million euros, with a local construction consortium taking the contract.
Apollo.lv · 21 Sept, 12:48
Sudalinna Theatre to bring four projects to Narva this year
A cooperation agreement between the city of Narva and Tallinn's Sudalinna Theatre was signed at Narva Town Hall, under which the theatre will present four projects in the city by year's end. The deal was signed as part of the opening events for the "Narva – Autumn Capital of Estonia 2026" programme.
ERR (rus) · 21 Sept, 12:46
'I Have a Dream': Teacher Laura Wants to See Supported, Motivated Educators
A teacher from Jūrmala named Laura hopes that in four years Latvia's teachers will be motivated and supported, with children coming to school happily.
LSM · 21 Sept, 12:44
Temporary bridge planned to handle traffic during Vanšu Bridge reconstruction
Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs said on Monday that a temporary bridge is planned to maintain traffic flow during the reconstruction of the Vanšu Bridge. He did not provide further details on the timeline or design of the temporary structure.
Apollo.lv · 21 Sept, 11:49
Riga plans temporary bridge during Vanšu Bridge reconstruction
Riga Mayor Viesturs Kleinbergs has ordered preparations for installing a temporary bridge during the planned reconstruction of the Vanšu Bridge, set to begin in autumn 2027.
LSM · 21 Sept, 11:49
Lithuanian defence minister begins US visit on security, troop presence
Lithuania's Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas has begun a week-long visit to the United States to discuss the security situation and bilateral defence cooperation. The trip includes meetings with senior US officials and defence manufacturers.
LRT English · 21 Sept, 11:47
Security service confirms top Latvian officials were told earlier about donations to PM candidate Stepaņenko
Latvia's Constitution Protection Bureau (SAB) says it had already briefed the country's top officials about large cash gifts from the Russia-based father of prime ministerial candidate Jūlija Stepaņenko. Anti-corruption, security and financial intelligence agencies are now reviewing the case following a request from the justice minister.
Delfi · 21 Sept, 11:47
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Forecasters: rain expected this week in Latvia, possible warm spell in late September
Cyclones bringing heavy rain are likely to reach Latvia this week, while forecasters say a warm spell could follow in late September and early October.
Apollo.lv · 21 Sept, 10:50
Streips warns of risk that voters could elect a pro-Kremlin majority in Saeima election
Ahead of the October 3 Saeima election, columnist Kārlis Streips recalls his voting experience since 1989 and warns that Latvian voters could elect a majority seeking to restore ties with Russia and end support for Ukraine.
Latvijas Avīze · 21 Sept, 10:48
Driver fined twice in short period for speeding in Upeslejas
Police in Upeslejas fined the same driver twice within a short time span for exceeding the speed limit. The woman openly expressed her dissatisfaction with the officers' actions.
TVNET · 21 Sept, 10:44
New episodes surface in large illegal cigarette case
A network distributing illegal cigarettes, uncovered by police nearly two years ago, has spawned several parallel criminal cases, one of which now involves a lawyer and a former police officer accused of trying to pressure a defendant into staying silent.
LSM (rus) · 21 Sept, 09:50
Liepāja Restaurant Week to feature 18 participants this October
From October 10 to 19, the city of Liepāja will host its Restaurant Week, bringing together 18 local restaurants. The event is organized by the Liepāja Region Tourism Information Bureau.
TVNET · 21 Sept, 09:50
Legendary Boheem café in Tallinn's Kalamaja district closes after 18 years
The Boheem café in Tallinn's Kalamaja district, which operated for 18 years, announced its closure last week. Industry figures warn a new wave of restaurant closures is expected this autumn.
ERR (rus) · 21 Sept, 09:48
Latgalian musician Sovvaļnīks releases new lyric video ahead of major concert
Musician Sovvaļnīks has released a lyric video for the song "…i vīns" from his album "Cārtumi", days before his major concert "Sovvaļnīkam – 18" at the Latgale concert hall "Gors".
LaKuga · 21 Sept, 09:48
Expert: any dog can bite, so vaccination and supervision matter
Following an incident in Carnikava where unsupervised dogs bit kindergarten children, a veterinary expert reminds owners of their legal duty to vaccinate pets and prevent them from endangering others. Latvia remains rabies-free for now, but the risk persists.
Zemgales Ziņas · 21 Sept, 09:47
Petition to cut Latvia's parliament from 100 to 70 MPs collects 10,000 signatures
An initiative on the Manabalss.lv platform calling for reducing the number of Saeima deputies from 100 to 70 has reached the required 10,000 signatures and must now be reviewed by parliament. Its author cites population decline and potential budget savings as key arguments.
Bauskas Dzīve · 21 Sept, 09:45
10,000 signatures collected for initiative to cut Latvia's parliament to 70 seats
A citizens' initiative to reduce the number of Saeima lawmakers from 100 to 70 has gathered the required 10,000 signatures since August 26 and will now go before parliament. Its author argues a smaller parliament would save budget funds and boost lawmakers' accountability.
Jauns.lv · 21 Sept, 09:44