Latvia & nearby (119)

Truck collision in Bauska district reignites debate over drivers' road culture

A collision between two trucks in the Bauska district has drawn fresh attention to risky driving behavior on Latvia's roads, with experienced drivers and safety experts weighing in. September has seen at least ten violations and dangerous incidents involving heavy vehicle drivers.

Jauns.lv · 19 Sept, 20:43

Rinkēvičs: NATO Not Adapting Fast Enough to Lessons from Ukraine's Air War

Latvia's President Edgars Rinkēvičs told the British newspaper The Guardian that NATO is struggling to keep pace with modern warfare developments. He warned that most alliance countries would currently have serious trouble repelling a Russian missile strike.

Apollo.lv · 19 Sept, 19:45

Four-car crash blocks traffic on Tīnūži highway

A four-car collision on the Tīnūži–Koknese road on Saturday has completely blocked traffic at the scene. Drivers are urged to use alternative routes.

Delfi · 19 Sept, 18:47

Grape growing and winemaking continue to expand in Latvia

Latvia currently has around 130 licensed small wineries, and the area of vineyards on farms is also growing. This year's harvest is rated as good by growers, despite challenging summer weather.

LSM · 19 Sept, 18:43

Latvia's highest state honors presented in Washington

In Washington, former US Ambassador to Latvia Christopher Robinson has received Latvia's highest state honors — the Order of Three Stars and the Order of Viesturs.

LSM · 19 Sept, 17:43

Lawyer: Transport Ministry report strengthens compensation claims over CSDD data leak

Attorney Lauris Klagišs says a newly published Transport Ministry assessment officially confirms security failures at Latvia's road traffic agency CSDD, providing strong grounds for people seeking compensation over August's data breach.

Latvijas Avīze · 19 Sept, 16:50

Sõdalinna Theatre director: 90% of staff should speak Estonian by 2028

The director of Tallinn's Sõdalinna Theatre, Anne-Lii Päiv, said the theatre aims to have 90% of its staff speaking Estonian by 2028, while ruling out formal testing or a requirement for the top C1 proficiency level.

ERR (rus) · 19 Sept, 16:45

Vaba Lava theater may close Narva branch over insufficient state funding

Estonian independent theater Vaba Lava is weighing whether to shut down its Narva location because current state funding cannot sustain operations. A decision on extending its lease is needed this fall, requiring an extra €250,000.

ERR News · 19 Sept, 15:49

Military exercise "Namejs 2026" active phase underway in Riga through September 20

Riga is hosting the active phase of the "Namejs 2026" military exercise through September 20, with soldiers, military vehicles and checkpoints visible around the city. One exercise scene involved a helicopter landing in Uzvaras Park.

TVNET · 19 Sept, 15:46

Latvian Lauris Mihailovs, missing in Hungary, found alive and set to return home

Lauris Mihailovs, a Latvian resident who had been missing in Hungary for several days, has been found alive. His family is now arranging his return to Latvia.

Apollo.lv · 19 Sept, 15:44

Riga residents raise concerns over off-leash dogs in parks and forests

A social media discussion has erupted over dogs being let off leash in Riga's parks and forests, with residents saying they feel unsafe. Municipal police confirm this is currently prohibited everywhere except designated dog areas.

Latvijas Avīze · 19 Sept, 14:52

Lithuania weighs changes to air-alert system after Varėna incident

After residents near Varėna were not warned about an unidentified object over Lithuanian territory, Defence Minister Dovilė Šakalienė's counterpart Robertas Kaunas said the alert algorithm is being reviewed. The incident preceded NATO's first-ever downing of an airspace-violating drone over Lithuania.

ERR (rus) · 19 Sept, 13:43

Estonian journalist: fewer young people share opinions in street interviews, Russian-speakers grow bolder

Estonian journalist Rein Sikk says fewer young people are willing to voice opinions during street interviews, while Russian-speaking residents have grown more open in recent years.

ERR (rus) · 19 Sept, 12:45

Jūrmala Council to Review Deputy Trukšņa's Working Hours and Duties

The agenda of Jūrmala City Council's September 24 meeting includes a review of deputy Gatis Truknis's working hours and performance of his duties as head of the mayor's office.

TVNET · 19 Sept, 12:45

Latvian Public Media to pay over €161,000 for audit services through 2029

Latvia's public broadcaster LSM will pay more than €161,000 for audit services through 2029, with the contract awarded to SIA "Potapoviča un Andersone."

Apollo.lv · 19 Sept, 12:43

Lithuania proposes €770m family support package, but opposition questions funding

Lithuania's government has unveiled a nine-measure, €770-million family support package aimed at boosting birth rates, but opposition and some coalition lawmakers question where the money will come from.

LRT English · 19 Sept, 10:50

Estonia weighs pushing back Rail Baltica deadline to access more EU funds

Estonia's infrastructure minister says the Rail Baltica completion deadline could be delayed by four years, though construction on the Tallinn–Pärnu section will continue uninterrupted. The shift requires approval from Brussels and a joint position among the three Baltic states.

ERR News · 19 Sept, 10:47

Mārupe seeks married couples celebrating golden or diamond wedding anniversaries

The Mārupe municipality's Civil Registry Office is inviting couples who have been married for 50 or 60 years this year to register for a special honoring ceremony. The event will take place on December 5 at the Mārupe Culture House.

Jauns.lv · 19 Sept, 10:46

Car runs off road and overturns in Valmiera parish

On Friday, a passenger car ran off the road and overturned in Valmiera parish, and firefighters freed the person inside before handing them over to paramedics.

Delfi · 19 Sept, 10:44

Political scientist: alcohol-related offenses should be judged equally, regardless of official rank

Following the arrest of former Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks for drunk driving, political scientist Filips Rajevskis argues that the law should apply equally to all members of society, regardless of position.

Staburags · 19 Sept, 10:43

NATO General: Baltic Security Has Improved Significantly, but Alliance Is Undergoing a Military Revolution

John Mead, deputy commander of NATO's Allied Joint Force Command Brunssum, told LETA that Baltic security has strengthened thanks to a clear strategy and plans, while the alliance continues adapting to rapidly evolving military threats.

Latvijas Avīze · 19 Sept, 09:49

Car veers off road and overturns in Valmiera municipality

On Friday, a car veered off the road and overturned onto its side in Valmiera municipality, the State Fire and Rescue Service reported.

TVNET · 19 Sept, 09:45

Jelgava municipality to build new sports hall for Eleja secondary school for nearly €4 million

Jelgava municipality has launched construction of a new sports hall for Eleja secondary school worth almost four million euros, with completion planned for summer 2028.

Bauskas Dzīve · 19 Sept, 09:44

Estonia's Day of Countryside Living organizer: rural life suits active people

Estonia is holding its annual Day of Countryside Living on September 19, with organizer Reve Lambur encouraging those considering a move to rural areas to meet local communities eager for new residents.

ERR News · 19 Sept, 09:43

Estonia's justice chancellor challenges new retirement age system over fairness concerns

Estonia's justice chancellor Ülle Madise is questioning whether it is constitutional for the retirement age system taking effect in 2027 to set different pension eligibility ages for people born in the same year, depending on birth month.

ERR News · 19 Sept, 08:48

Saturday, September 19: wind to strengthen, light drizzle possible in places

Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts that Saturday will be the drier of the weekend days, though light rain is possible in some areas.

LSM (rus) · 19 Sept, 08:45

Six newborns registered, seven residents pass away in Ogre municipality over the week

Between September 10 and 16, the Ogre municipality Civil Registry Office recorded six newborns, while seven local residents passed away.

OgreNet · 19 Sept, 08:43

Reader's experience: a small overlooked formality in an apartment sale can cause big trouble

TVNET reader Gunta shares her experience of selling a family apartment, where a purchase contract clause requiring a handover act within 30 days of receiving payment turned out to matter more than expected.

TVNET · 19 Sept, 07:48

Smiltene municipality to publish its newsletter less often

The Smiltene municipal council has decided to cut the publication frequency of its free newsletter to six issues a year, citing sharply rising delivery costs.

Ziemeļlatvija · 19 Sept, 07:47

NATO general: Baltic states now significantly better protected, but pace must increase

Lieutenant General John Meade of NATO's Joint Force Command Brunssum told LETA in Riga that Baltic defence has improved substantially thanks to clearer plans and coordination, though the alliance must keep adapting faster to evolving threats.

Bauskas Dzīve · 19 Sept, 07:47

Food Safety Agency head: kebab shop hygiene issues can be fixed, inspections vary by risk level

The head of Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service explained on TV24 how kebab shops and other catering businesses are inspected, noting that about 10% of businesses checked in joint inspections had operations suspended.

Latvijas Avīze · 19 Sept, 07:46

Latvian consumer watchdog orders access to "daceriga.lv" website to be restricted

Latvia's Consumer Rights Protection Centre (PTAC) has ordered that access to the online store "daceriga.lv" be restricted within three days, saying its operator failed to disclose essential information to consumers.

Apollo.lv · 19 Sept, 06:50

Estonia weighs slowing Rail Baltic construction to make full use of EU funding

Estonian Infrastructure Minister Kuldar Leis says the country is considering delaying construction of some Rail Baltic sections to better utilize EU funding, with much depending on Latvia's stance.

ERR (rus) · 19 Sept, 06:49

Weekend weather to shift as forecasters warn of a wetter Sunday

Latvia will see changeable, partly rainy and windy weather on Saturday, while Sunday is expected to bring more widespread rain and possible thunderstorms. Conditions should calm down early next week, though rain will persist.

BNN · 19 Sept, 06:46