Latvia & nearby
Russia introduces movement restrictions near Estonia's border around Narva
Russia has imposed a curfew-style regime with various movement restrictions in the Kingisepp and Slantsy districts near the Estonian border, valid until September 26. Overnight, a man illegally crossed the temporary control line on the Narva River.
Delfi · 20 Sept, 19:48
Western Estonian island municipalities push for special regional status
Following the EU's new islands strategy, municipalities on Saaremaa, Hiiumaa and other Western Estonian islands have jointly asked the government to create a dedicated regional program for them in the next EU budget period.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 19:46
Kurzeme residents want better roads and preserved rural schools, poll shows
Ahead of the Saeima elections, Kurzeme residents are asking politicians for two seemingly conflicting things: improved rural roads and continued funding for small schools. Latvian Radio reports the region has a comparatively stronger economy than the rest of the country.
LSM (rus) · 20 Sept, 18:48
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Latvia plans to introduce standardised EU disability and parking cards from 2028
Latvia's Ministry of Welfare has drafted regulations to start issuing a unified EU-format disability card and parking card for people with disabilities from June 5, 2028.
Apollo.lv · 20 Sept, 18:47
Riga sees low turnout for Russian State Duma election voting
Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava reports that only 164 Russian citizens had been checked by early afternoon while visiting Russia's embassy in Riga to vote in the State Duma election. Latvia does not recognize voting held in several Russian-occupied territories.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Sept, 18:45
Villem Lapimaa nominated for vacant Estonian Supreme Court judge position
The Chief Justice of Estonia's Supreme Court has backed Tallinn Circuit Court judge Villem Lapimaa for a vacant seat on the court's Administrative Law Chamber. Parliament will make the final appointment decision.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 18:44
After Uzulnieks case, initiative proposes freezing ministers' severance pay during criminal proceedings
A signature drive on Manabalss.lv proposes delaying severance payments to Cabinet ministers whose dismissal is linked to a criminal investigation. The initiative follows the case of former Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 18:44
Russia tightens restrictions near Estonian border; Tallinn ready to close it in case of mobilization
Russia's FSB has imposed additional movement restrictions in two border regions near Estonia until September 26, while Estonia's government openly discussed how it would respond to a possible new Russian mobilization.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 17:44
Tõnis Saarts: Herem could either save or finish off the Reform Party
Estonian political scientist Tõnis Saarts writes that newly appointed Defence Minister Martin Herem may end up deciding whether the Reform Party keeps its last remaining trump card of competence or heads into elections with the worst reputation in its history.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 17:44
Estonia's defense agency takes Datasel contract dispute to arbitration in Switzerland
Estonia's Center for Defense Investments (RKIK) is disputing a terminated Ukraine artillery shell deal with Italian firm Datasel through ICC arbitration in Switzerland, after roughly €70 million was paid upfront. Legal costs alone are said to reach hundreds of thousands of euros.
ERR News · 20 Sept, 16:48
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Latvia's Food Authority finds salmonella in Lithuanian chicken ham and minced pork
Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service detected salmonella bacteria in marinated chicken ham with garlic and herbs, as well as in minced pork, both originating from Lithuania. The agency published the findings following routine laboratory testing.
Apollo.lv · 20 Sept, 16:48
Eyewitnesses: heavy drinking among youth and adults seen at Riga's Old Town festival
Following Saturday's "Riga Old Town Festival" at Dome Square, eyewitness accounts on social media describe heavily intoxicated young people and adults in the streets, though police say the event passed without incident.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 16:43
Heavy downpours expected overnight, possible thunderstorm on Monday in Latvia
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts intermittent rain overnight into Monday, with heavy downpours in some areas and a possible thunderstorm on Monday.
LSM · 20 Sept, 15:50
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Thunderstorms possible in parts of Latvia on Monday
Latvia's weather service forecasts rain overnight into Monday, with heavy showers and possible thunderstorms in some areas.
Apollo.lv · 20 Sept, 15:49
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Rain and possible thunderstorms expected across Latvia overnight and on Monday
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts rain in many parts of Latvia overnight into Monday and during the day, with heavy showers and possible thunderstorms in some areas.
TVNET · 20 Sept, 15:48
Heavy rain showers expected overnight into Monday, possible thunderstorms on Monday
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts a wet spell — heavy rain showers in places overnight into Monday, with rain and possible thunderstorms expected across much of the country on Monday.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Sept, 15:45
Can you travel abroad while on sick leave? Latvia's labour inspectorate explains
A Latvian man traveled abroad during sick leave and faced his employer's anger, but the State Labour Inspectorate clarifies that employees must follow their doctor's treatment regime, not the employer's instructions.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Sept, 14:48
Civil protection and evacuation drills planned in Pededze and Liepna, Alūksne municipality
On September 28, practical civil protection and evacuation drills will take place in the villages of Pededze and Liepna in Alūksne municipality, according to the local government's website.
TVNET · 20 Sept, 14:46
New week to begin with heavy rain and chilly weather
Latvia's week will start with rain, including localized thunderstorms and heavy downpours in places, as air temperatures drop to autumn levels.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 14:43
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Estonian PM's parliamentary secretary declares €9,402 in debt
Kristo Avot, parliamentary secretary to Estonian Prime Minister Andres Kulberg, has declared debt liabilities of €9,402 in the asset declaration filed upon taking office.
Apollo.lv · 20 Sept, 12:45
Home Guard soldiers assist victims of serious crash in Ogre municipality
A serious traffic accident occurred on the Tīnūži-Koknese road on Saturday, injuring two people who were taken to hospital. Nine nearby National Armed Forces soldiers provided first aid to the injured before emergency services arrived.
Delfi · 20 Sept, 12:45
Repair Festival held in Estonia's Viljandi
The town of Viljandi in Estonia hosted its annual Repair Festival, promoting fixing and reusing items instead of throwing them away. Visitors could join 30 workshops and browse a flea market.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 12:45
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Signature drive launched to change ministers' severance pay rules
A petition has been launched on the "Manabalss.lv" platform calling for a special procedure for paying severance benefits to Cabinet members and parliamentary secretaries when they lose their post over a possible criminal offence. The initiative would see such payments deferred until criminal proceedings conclude.
TVNET · 20 Sept, 12:44
PM Kulbergs' parliamentary secretary discloses debts alongside sizable savings
An asset declaration filed by Kristaps Avots, parliamentary secretary to Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, shows debts of nearly 10,000 euros alongside substantial savings and investments. Avots has held the post since July 10.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 12:43
Study: Lack of money forces Estonian pensioners to keep working
A study by the Estonian Center for Development Monitoring shows Estonia leads OECD countries in the share of pensioners who keep working due to lack of money, mainly because of relatively low old-age pensions.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 11:45
Kurzeme Residents Want Better Roads and Small Schools Kept Open
Ahead of Latvia's Saeima elections, Kurzeme residents want politicians to fix rural roads while preserving small local schools, and in southern Kurzeme people also hope for greater calm in turbulent times.
LSM · 20 Sept, 11:44
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11 drunk drivers and one under drug influence caught in Latvia in one day
Latvian police stopped 11 drivers under the influence of alcohol and one driver under the influence of drugs over the past 24 hours, the State Police reported.
Apollo.lv · 20 Sept, 10:50
Survey: Half of employees uncomfortable discussing salary with their boss
An SEB bank survey found that 54% of employees in Latvia feel uncomfortable discussing their pay with their manager, while most are far more willing to talk about income with family. Attitudes also differ notably by gender and age group.
Ziemeļlatvija · 20 Sept, 09:51
World Cleanup Day takes place in Latvia and around the globe
World Cleanup Day is being held today across multiple continents, including in Latvia, an annual initiative that has drawn 139 million participants worldwide since 2018.
TVNET · 20 Sept, 09:49
Survey: 13% of Latvians have never taken out a loan
A new survey shows that 13% of Latvia's population has never taken a loan, with fear about the future and unstable income cited as the main reasons.
OgreNet · 20 Sept, 09:48
Estonian minister: children and teens have the right to access information
Estonia's justice and digital affairs minister Liisa-Ly Pakosta says the country opposes banning children's access to social media, arguing platforms themselves should change instead. She noted an EU-appointed scientific council surprisingly suggested restrictions only for children under three.
ERR (rus) · 20 Sept, 09:47
Fox that crossed the ice threatens reintroduced dormice on Estonian island
A colony of garden dormice reintroduced this summer to Estonia's Suur-Pakri Island now shares its predator-free habitat with a fox that crossed over during a harsh winter. Ecologists are watching to see whether the animals survive until spring.
ERR News · 20 Sept, 09:45
Fire breaks out in five-storey Riga apartment building, three residents self-evacuate
A fire broke out early Saturday in a flat on Patversmes Street in Riga after electrical wiring and household items caught fire, but three residents got out on their own before firefighters arrived. No one was injured.
Jauns.lv · 20 Sept, 09:44
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Thunderstorms and heavy rain showers possible in parts of Latvia on Sunday
Meteorologists forecast rain clouds crossing Latvia on Sunday, with thunderstorms and heavy downpours possible in some areas.
TVNET · 20 Sept, 08:50
Woman from Ogre battles advancing cancer, family seeks help for treatment
A woman from the Ogre region named Jeļena, diagnosed with pancreatic cancer with liver metastases five years ago, has seen her illness worsen this year, and her family is appealing for public support to fund treatment not covered by the state. Just over 9,000 euros of the needed 52,000-plus have been raised so far.
OgreNet · 20 Sept, 08:48
Rain clouds to cross Latvia on Sunday, thunderstorms possible in places
On Sunday, September 20, rain clouds will periodically move across Latvia's territory, with thunderstorms and heavy downpours possible in some areas.
LSM (rus) · 20 Sept, 08:44