Latvia & nearby (121)

Head of KNAB's operations department applies for anti-corruption bureau chief post

Renārs Reiniks, head of the operational activities department at Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), has applied to lead the agency, while acting chief Ineta Cīrule will not run.

LSM · 18 Sept, 13:43

PM Kulbergs' social media posts called into question over grain transit and money printing claims

Latvia's Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs faced scrutiny after Saeima lawmakers and the Bank of Latvia disputed the accuracy of two of his recent social media statements — one on a Baltic-wide stance on Russian grain transit, another on euro banknote printing.

Jauns.lv · 18 Sept, 12:49

Investigation identifies causes of CSDD data breach

A Transport Ministry commission has completed its evaluation of a cyberincident at Latvia's Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD), concluding that several cybersecurity management shortcomings contributed to the data leak.

TVNET · 18 Sept, 12:46

Firefighters reveal how they free people trapped in severe car crashes

State Fire and Rescue Service commander Jānis Vējš and his colleagues describe the demanding work of freeing people trapped inside vehicles after serious road accidents. The TV segment 'Sadursme 360' shows how complex and high-pressure this process is.

Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 12:45

Six-year prison sentence for illegally moving 21 people across Latvia's border

A Latgale district court has sentenced a person to six years in prison for illegally transporting 21 people across the Latvia–Belarus border as part of an organized group, prosecutors said.

LSM · 18 Sept, 12:43

Constitutional Court to review gambling restrictions in Daugavpils

Latvia's Constitutional Court is today beginning to hear a case concerning restrictions on organizing gambling in the administrative territory of Daugavpils, the court has announced.

TVNET · 18 Sept, 11:50

Ministry commission: CSDD cyberattack exposed gaps in security checks and network protection

A commission set up by the Transport Ministry, after reviewing August's cyberattack on Latvia's road traffic safety directorate CSDD, found several shortcomings in the agency's cybersecurity management, including insufficient security checks and no multi-factor authentication.

LSM · 18 Sept, 11:50

Latvia to demand additional €7 billion for eastern flank in EU budget talks, PM Kulbergs says

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said Latvia will request an extra seven billion euros to strengthen the EU's eastern flank during negotiations on the bloc's 2028-2034 multiannual budget, he told the Saeima's European Affairs Committee.

Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 11:49

NATO StratCom head: over a tenth of Latvia's population may hold pro-Kremlin views

NATO StratCom Centre of Excellence director Jānis Sārts warns that Russia is again actively working to normalize pro-Kremlin narratives on social media, estimating that more than 10% of Latvia's population could be sympathetic to Russia. Latvia's security service has opened 70 criminal cases over hate speech and glorification of war crimes since 2022.

Jauns.lv · 18 Sept, 11:48

Alpinist Liepiņš says he would have tried to dissuade one of the Latvians who died on Denali

Experienced alpinist Kristaps Liepiņš says two of the three Latvians who died on Denali had once trained under him, and believes at least one lacked the experience for such a climb.

BNN · 18 Sept, 11:46

Latvian trade union federation calls for closing pay gap with foreign workers

The Free Trade Union Confederation of Latvia (LBAS) is calling for a clear legal mechanism to ensure local employees receive pay equal to that of workers brought in from non-EU countries for the same or equivalent work.

TVNET · 18 Sept, 10:46

"I have a dream": For student Niola, safety matters most when starting a family

Niola Ose, a student from Jelgava now studying in Riga, says safety is the most important factor for young people considering starting a family in Latvia.

LSM · 18 Sept, 10:44

Riga council criticized over planned €300,000 LinkedIn account

Riga's Investment and Tourism Agency planned to spend €300,000 on a city LinkedIn account, sparking criticism over municipal spending. The procurement has been paused but not abandoned.

Staburags · 18 Sept, 09:43

Police issue warning over loud rap music complaint in Lielvārde

Police in Lielvārde responded to a complaint about two men playing loud rap music and using profanity near children outside an apartment building. After a conversation with officers, the men were given a verbal warning.

OgreNet · 18 Sept, 08:50

Neighbour dispute in Limbaži: women barred from approaching neighbour despite living under 4 metres apart

A Latvian court has issued temporary protection-from-violence orders against two women in a neighbour dispute in Limbaži, barring them from approaching a neighbour even though their homes sit less than four metres apart. Both sides are contesting the ruling, which has also raised questions about applying such protection to ordinary neighbour conflicts.

Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 08:50

Vilnius man says unauthorized house has appeared atop shared building's roof

A co-owner of an administrative building in Vilnius claims a structure of over 220 square meters, including an apartment with a sauna and pool, was built on the shared roof without owners' consent. The building inspection has so far found no violations.

Delfi · 18 Sept, 08:48

Garage and yard sales emerge as a new alternative to flea markets in North Latvia

Alongside traditional flea markets, residents in North Latvia's municipalities are increasingly organizing garage and yard sales to give unwanted items a second life. Such events took place this summer in Ape and Smiltene, with residents calling for similar initiatives elsewhere, including Valka.

Ziemeļlatvija · 18 Sept, 08:47

Estonia has 60 fuel stations and 79 shops ready for crisis situations

Estonia's Reserves Centre says 60 petrol stations and 79 shops have been prepared to keep operating during power outages by autumn 2026, with a target of 110 crisis shops by year's end.

ERR (rus) · 18 Sept, 08:46

In Vietalva parish, a woman built a varied berry garden from a small plot

In Odziena, Vietalva parish, Viktorija Fjodorova has spent years developing a diverse berry garden featuring raspberries, strawberries, blueberries, blackberries, quince, grapes and cranberries. The idea for her own raspberry garden first took root while she worked in Norway.

Staburags · 18 Sept, 08:46

Latvia's population keeps shrinking despite government promises on demographics

Latvia's population has fallen by about 12,000 people compared to last year, despite politicians' promises to boost birth rates and curb emigration. Latvian Radio reviewed which pledges made by 14th Saeima politicians have been fulfilled and which have not.

LSM · 18 Sept, 08:45

Autumn potato harvest brings good yields and family gatherings to Latvian farms

Across Latvia's countryside, potato harvest season is in full swing, with many growers reporting an unusually good crop this year, while September also brings family harvesting parties and several potato festivals.

Ziemeļlatvija · 18 Sept, 07:51

Traffic jams worsen in Bauska as municipality admits it has no quick fix

Traffic congestion in Bauska is growing during peak hours, and the local municipality admits it currently has no real solution, pinning hopes on a future bypass road.

Bauskas Dzīve · 18 Sept, 07:50

Kuldīga resident speaks out against dog owners who skip the leash

A Kuldīga municipality resident describes repeated encounters with neighbors who walk their dogs without a leash and urges others to report such violations to municipal police.

Kurzemnieks · 18 Sept, 07:50

Astronomical Autumn Begins Wednesday — Nights Will Soon Outlast Days

Astronomical autumn begins in Latvia on September 23, when day and night are nearly equal worldwide. Nights will first surpass days in length this season on September 26.

Jauns.lv · 18 Sept, 07:46

Ozolnieki secondary school graduate returns as chemistry teacher

Evelīna Meijere, a graduate of Ozolnieki Secondary School, is now teaching chemistry there to 8th and 9th graders while pursuing a master's degree in food science. She believes anyone can grasp the basics of chemistry with the right attitude.

Zemgales Ziņas · 18 Sept, 07:43

Jelgava restorer: we 'treat' objects to preserve their original appearance

Saiva Kuple, head of the Zemgale Restoration Centre at the Jelgava Ģederts Eliass History and Art Museum, describes the restorer's profession as one that combines art, history and even medicine. She received Hungary's Silver Cross of Merit in 2024 for restoring a large 19th-century painting.

Zemgales Ziņas · 18 Sept, 06:46

Rain showers and gusty winds expected in Latvia this weekend

Meteorologists have updated the weekend forecast for Latvia, predicting alternating showers and sunshine on Friday and Saturday, with rain spreading across the whole country on Sunday. Conditions are expected to calm early next week, though rain will persist.

BNN · 18 Sept, 06:46

Stepaņenko proposes alcohol tests for officials at Saeima, government and Riga council

Jūlija Stepaņenko, prime ministerial candidate for the "Suverēnā vara/Apvienība Jaunlatvieši" alliance, has proposed installing breathalyzers at the entrances of the Saeima, the Cabinet of Ministers and Riga City Council to test officials. She argues checks are needed both when officials arrive at work and when they leave.

Bauskas Dzīve · 18 Sept, 06:45

World Latvian Lutheran Church dismisses pastor Rolands Eimanis after new facts emerge in abuse case

The Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church Abroad has dismissed pastor Rolands Eimanis, ruling his conduct harmful to the Church, after new facts surfaced regarding sexual abuse allegations that emerged this summer.

Jauns.lv · 18 Sept, 05:43

Tartu teacher aims to swim in as many Estonian lakes as possible

A schoolteacher from Tartu, Estonia, known online as Undine, has been documenting her quest to swim in as many of the country's lakes as possible, recently reaching lake number 149. She now aims to visit all 500 registered lake bathing spots while urging others to protect fragile natural sites.

ERR (rus) · 18 Sept, 04:49

No resolution yet after Latvian bus carriers' protest over stalled contracts

Following a September 16 protest by passenger carriers that affected around 40,000 people, transport officials and industry representatives acknowledged on Delfi's talk show that the underlying dispute over contract indexation remains unresolved.

Delfi · 18 Sept, 04:47

Home burglaries in the EU drop sharply over the past decade, most steeply among neighboring countries

Over the past decade, the number of home burglaries across the European Union has fallen significantly, with the steepest decline recorded among Latvia's neighboring countries. Summer holiday season remains the period burglars consider most favorable for break-ins.

Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 04:46

Fire breaks out in apartment building near Jelgava, forcing residents to flee

An electrical distribution cabinet caught fire on the ground floor of an apartment building in Āne, Jelgava municipality, filling the corridor with flames and smoke. Five residents evacuated on their own, while one person was rescued by firefighters.

Jauns.lv · 18 Sept, 03:52

Storm disrupts wedding of "Ezītis miglā" bar co-owner in Kurzeme

On August 22, as a powerful storm swept across Latvia and forced the cancellation of numerous public events, bar co-owner Ernando Gamarra and his wife Diāna held their wedding, which was hit by power outages, falling trees and damaged cars.

Delfi · 18 Sept, 02:51