Latvia & nearby
Over 800 people form human chain to move Bauska library's book collection to new home
On Friday, September 18, more than 800 residents of Bauska formed a hand-to-hand chain to carry the first 200 books to the Central Library's new home in a renovated building on Uzvaras Street. The library's official opening is planned for November.
Bauskas Dzīve · 19 Sept, 06:44
Saturday brings cloudy, partly rainy weather to Estonia, up to +18 degrees
Estonia will see mostly cloudy and occasionally rainy weather on Saturday, with stronger winds along the coast and in the west and north later in the day. Temperatures will range between +10 and +18 degrees.
ERR (rus) · 19 Sept, 05:49
Liepāja survey asks residents which items they'd rather borrow than buy
The association “Zaļā brīvība”, together with Liepājas RAS and ZAAO, is inviting residents to complete a survey about a planned “library of things,” where rarely used items could be borrowed instead of purchased.
irLiepāja · 19 Sept, 05:49
Pakroja Manor hosts autumn Bumbulines festival with dumpling-eating championship
Pakroja Manor in Lithuania is holding its Bumbulines autumn festival on September 19–20, featuring a dumpling-eating championship, strength contests and music, with a Latvian folklore group among the performers.
Bauskas Dzīve · 19 Sept, 05:43
Athlete Jānis Višķers reflects on 15 months spent in prison
Latvian athlete Jānis Višķers, who served a 15-month prison term over an attempted bribe to an Ādaži municipal deputy, shares his reflections on the experience. He describes harsh conditions but also unexpected kindness from fellow inmates.
Delfi · 19 Sept, 04:52
Operetta Theatre to premiere new production “Paris Bohemia” on October 1
The Operetta Theatre's new production “Paris Bohemia” premieres on October 1 at the “Ziemeļblāzma” Culture Palace, followed by a tour across Latvia. The show is based on motifs from Imre Kálmán's operetta “The Violet of Montmartre,” reimagined with a jazz sound.
irLiepāja · 19 Sept, 04:51
Liepāja music and art school holds creative symposium at Pētertirgus market
The Liepāja Music, Art and Design Secondary School held its sixth annual creative symposium, this year at the Pētertirgus market, where students worked alongside professional artists. The event also marked the centenary of the Liepāja Art School.
irLiepāja · 19 Sept, 03:49
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Lithuania extends detention of ex-wife suspected in paramedic's killing
A district court in Panevėžys has extended the detention of Justina Sadauskienė, the ex-wife of a paramedic found dead in April, who is a suspect in his killing. Mantas Sadauskas had gone missing before his body and hidden car were found.
Apollo.lv · 19 Sept, 01:49
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New quiz tests knowledge of the Baltic states
An online quiz has been published inviting readers to test their knowledge of Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia by identifying countries from various facts. The quiz is aimed at anyone curious how well they know the Baltic neighbors.
Apollo.lv · 19 Sept, 00:47
New rules on keeping dogs that have attacked take effect
As of September 19, Latvia has new government regulations imposing stricter conditions on dogs that have attacked people or animals, including mandatory training, walking restrictions and, in severe cases, euthanasia or a lifetime ban on owning dogs.
LV portāls · 19 Sept, 00:43
Putin offers Europe “friendly” words while invoking nuclear arsenal; Latvia's security service warns of Russian hybrid attacks
Russian President Vladimir Putin claimed his country has no aggressive intentions toward Europe, while also referencing Russia's nuclear triad and readiness to respond to any seizure of its ships. Latvia's Constitution Protection Bureau warns Russia may escalate unconventional attacks against the Baltics.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 23:48
Vilnius prepares evacuation routes in case of military threat or crisis
Vilnius municipality has drawn up an evacuation plan that includes a route to Poland in the event of a serious military threat, while Poland is preparing a transit corridor near its border for potential evacuees from the Baltic states.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 21:47
Namejs 2026: Gunfire and military vehicles expected across Latvia this week
This weekend, residents in several parts of Latvia may hear gunfire and see military vehicles and soldiers — this is due to the Namejs 2026 exercises, LSM reports in its "Обсудим вечером" programme.
LSM (rus) · 18 Sept, 20:48
EU wants to restrict children's access to social media — what does Latvia say?
The European Commission is planning an age threshold for social media use — children under 13 would be barred entirely, while fully independent profiles would only be allowed from age 15. Both experts and children in Latvia have weighed in on the idea.
LSM · 18 Sept, 20:45
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Reiniks applies for KNAB director position
Renārs Reiniks, head of the Operational Activities Department at Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), has applied to lead the agency. Acting director Ineta Cīrule has not entered the competition.
Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 20:45
Security service: Russia may try to escalate with sabotage, but risk of full invasion remains very low
Latvia's Constitution Protection Bureau warns Russia could step up unconventional attacks against the Baltics and NATO, though the chance of a large-scale invasion stays very low. Top state officials echoed the assessment.
Delfi · 18 Sept, 19:50
Experts: A dog attack on a person doesn't automatically mean euthanasia
Veterinary doctor Ilmārs Dūrītis and cynologist Ilze Pētersone–Godmane, speaking on a TV24 program, say decisions on euthanizing a dog after it attacks a person must be based on careful assessment of the case rather than being automatic. They stress the need to balance public safety with animal protection.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 19:47
Ahead of first frosts, gardeners urged to harvest tomatoes – what to do with green ones
Gardeners are advised to pick tomatoes before the first frosts arrive, since cold damages the fruit. Several methods can help unripe tomatoes ripen after harvesting.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 18:51
'Psychics' swindle two women out of nearly €160,000 in online scam
Latvia's State Police is investigating two fraud cases in which women sent almost €160,000 combined to online 'psychics' after being promised curse removal and help fixing their personal lives. The promised results never came, and the alleged scammers stopped responding.
BNN · 18 Sept, 18:48
Latvian Armed Forces chief: threat level in Latvia and region unchanged
National Armed Forces commander Lieutenant General Kaspars Pudāns says the threat level in Latvia and the region remains unchanged, while the defense system monitors the situation daily and stays ready for possible provocations.
Delfi · 18 Sept, 18:44
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Two women accused of defrauding people posing as 'psychics' online
Latvia's State Police has received two complaints after people transferred nearly €160,000 to individuals posing online as psychics, without ever receiving the promised help.
Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 17:48
Riga traffic checks: police record 97 violations in three days
During the international "Roadpol Safety Days" campaign, Latvia's State Police recorded 97 traffic violations in Riga over three days, including dozens of cases of aggressive driving and red-light running.
LSM (rus) · 18 Sept, 17:44
Estonia begins preparations for expanded 2028 Song Celebration, seeks solution for sign-language performers
Estonia has officially begun preparations for the 2028 Youth Song and Dance Celebration, which will run a week and a half for the first time. Organizers are working to find a way for sign-language choirs to take part.
ERR News · 18 Sept, 16:48
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Gusty winds and mild temperatures forecast for Latvia on Saturday
Meteorologists forecast gusty winds and air temperatures rising to +16..+20 degrees Celsius across Latvia on Saturday. Weather conditions are expected to be changeable nationwide.
Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 16:47
Minister Tavars reverses predecessor's decisions on Preiļi, Bauska spatial plans
Smart Administration and Regional Development Minister Edgars Tavars has fully reversed his predecessor's decision on Preiļi municipality's territorial plan and partially altered the decision concerning Bauska municipality, following talks with local governments.
LSM · 18 Sept, 16:44
Beaver-breached dam floods road in Vecpiebalga, causing major damage
A breached dam has flooded and partly washed out a road near Vecpiebalga, and unusually, the cause was not heavy rain but beavers.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 16:43
Police drone catches dozens of Riga drivers dodging traffic jams illegally
During a road safety campaign, Latvian police used a drone to catch 31 Riga drivers who bypassed traffic jams by driving through bus lanes or safety islands, resulting in 97 administrative violation cases over three days.
Jauns.lv · 18 Sept, 16:43
Saturday to bring moderate warmth, gusty winds and scattered showers across Latvia
Forecasters expect air temperatures to rise to +16..+20°C on Saturday, though gusty winds and scattered short-term rain are expected both overnight and during the day.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 15:50
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Gusty wind and rain expected in Latvia on Saturday
Forecasters say Saturday will bring rain in parts of Latvia along with gusty winds, while air temperatures rise to between +16 and +20 degrees. Conditions will vary through the day, with warmer-than-usual air for early autumn.
TVNET · 18 Sept, 15:49
PM Kulbergs seeks to reassure public: no sign of heightened threat to Latvia
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has called for calm after recent international news caused public concern, saying there is currently no indication of an elevated threat level to Latvia. Security measures along the border and in the air continue to be stepped up.
Jauns.lv · 18 Sept, 15:47
Head of Narva Port Anatoly Ivanov announces resignation
Anatoly Ivanov, board member of the Narva municipal port authority, submitted his resignation on September 15 without disclosing a reason. The move follows several high-profile departures from Narva municipal institutions after a change of city leadership.
ERR (rus) · 18 Sept, 15:44
Estonia looks for more stores to join emergency preparedness network
Estonia currently has 60 emergency-ready gas stations and 79 stores fitted with generators, with plans to reach 110 stores by year's end. Officials are calling for more volunteers as 31 generators still await installation.
ERR News · 18 Sept, 15:43
Rinkēvičs: regional situation "very tense," further escalation likely
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs has issued a public warning about a tense security situation in Europe and the Baltic region, citing rising Russian sabotage and espionage activity and urging citizens to vote and support defense structures.
BNN · 18 Sept, 14:46
Lutheran church suspends pastor Rolands Eimanis over sexual abuse allegations by multiple women
The presidium of the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad has removed pastor Rolands Eimanis from his duties as of September 10, following allegations of sexual abuse made by several women. Eimanis denies the accusations.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 13:49
KNAB to review ZZS's distribution of balsam to pensioners in Ogre
The Union of Greens and Farmers handed out small bottles of Riga Black Balsam bearing the party's election list number to seniors at an August meeting in Ogre. The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) is now assessing the situation.
LSM (rus) · 18 Sept, 13:47
Investigation finds multiple cybersecurity failures behind CSDD data leak
A Transport Ministry commission has concluded that a series of technical and organizational shortcomings enabled the CSDD cyberattack that exposed data of roughly 1.2 million people. The report has been forwarded to law enforcement.
BNN · 18 Sept, 13:44