Latvia & nearby
Hogweed dispute: Cēsis municipality landowner in conflict over unmown invasive plant
A landowner in Cēsis municipality has clashed with local authorities after prolonged rain prevented her from mowing Sosnowsky's hogweed that had spread across her field.
Apollo.lv · 18 Sept, 02:49
Kulbergs: Rail Baltica decisions must be made jointly with Lithuania and Estonia
Prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs said in a pre-election debate that an independent consultant's report on Rail Baltica is now ready, outlining three possible scenarios, and stressed that Baltic states must decide on the project's future together.
Latvijas Avīze · 18 Sept, 01:51
Estonian parents sue to push school start time to 9 a.m.
Parents at a school near Tartu, Estonia have filed the country's first lawsuit over early school start times, after the school kept its 8 a.m. schedule despite a new government rule requiring classes to begin at 9.
ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 21:46
Man found dead in tree by roadside in Cēsis municipality
A man was found dead in a tree by the roadside in the Drabeši parish of Cēsis municipality on Thursday, after having been reported missing the previous night. Police have launched criminal proceedings to establish the exact circumstances.
Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 21:44
Riga council backs over €255,000 for repairs to Bauskas Street building
A Riga City Council committee has approved €255,650 in repair grants for 35 owners or tenants affected by the January gas explosion at Bauskas Street 15. Residents have also already received crisis payments and temporary housing.
Delfi · 17 Sept, 20:47
Tallinn to buy former ministry building on Lai Street for school's needs
Tallinn's city council has decided to buy a former ministry building in the Old Town to give the Old Town Education College more space, settling payment by transferring five other properties to the state instead of cash.
ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 20:44
Latvia drops plan to buy Swedish Archer systems, opts for cheaper Czech howitzers
Latvia's government has reversed an earlier decision and will no longer purchase Swedish-made 155mm wheeled Archer artillery systems. Instead, the National Armed Forces will acquire cheaper self-propelled howitzers made in the Czech Republic.
LSM (rus) · 17 Sept, 20:44
Residents in Riga's Ķengarags warn of suspicious individuals checking apartment locks
A video circulating online shows unknown people checking apartment doors and locks in a Ķengarags apartment building in the evening. Residents are urging vigilance as the individuals' identity and purpose remain unknown.
Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 19:48
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Latvia's Social Insurance Agency to pay pension recalculation arrears in October
Latvia's State Social Insurance Agency will pay several thousand pension recipients a recalculation difference for the period from April 1 to September 30 together with their October monthly pension, the agency has announced.
Apollo.lv · 17 Sept, 19:48
Allied fighter jets to boost Latvia's airspace security during Saeima elections
In late September, four German Air Force Eurofighter jets will arrive at the Lielvārde military base to temporarily reinforce Latvia's airspace protection around the time of the 15th Saeima elections. Italy and Turkey will also contribute air force support.
LSM (rus) · 17 Sept, 18:50
"Namejs 2026" drills reach Riga and Liepāja with mock attack scenarios
Latvia's annual national defense exercise "Namejs 2026", underway for more than two weeks, has now expanded into urban areas — Riga and its outskirts, as well as the South Kurzeme municipality and Liepāja.
LSM · 17 Sept, 18:47
Government shifts course: cheaper Czech self-propelled howitzers to replace Swedish "Archer" plan
Latvia's government has reviewed earlier procurement decisions and dropped plans to buy Sweden's "Archer" artillery systems, opting instead for cheaper Czech-made self-propelled howitzers.
TVNET · 17 Sept, 18:46
Riigikogu Speaker returns Reinsalu's inquiry meant for PM Michal on ammunition supply contracts
Isamaa leader Urmas Reinsalu wanted to submit a formal parliamentary inquiry to Prime Minister Kristen Michal about defence forces' ammunition procurement contracts, but Riigikogu Speaker Lauri Hussar sent the document back.
ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 18:46
New walking route for people with visual and functional impairments created in Sigulda
Sigulda has gained a new walking route and audio guide designed for people with visual and functional impairments. The route was created as part of a project by the association Cerību spārni.
Jauns.lv · 17 Sept, 17:42
Estonian culture minister: state budget talks difficult, sector under pressure
Estonia's Culture Minister Heidi Purga says budget negotiations are ongoing and the culture sector faces a tense situation, with details on funding for children and youth priorities promised next week.
ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 16:47
Estonia ready to close border with Russia immediately if mobilisation is declared
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the government is prepared to shut the border with Russia at once should Moscow's threat assessment change, including through a mobilisation announcement. Border crossing hours are already reduced and full customs control is in place.
Ukrainska Pravda · 17 Sept, 16:47
Estonia ready to close Russian border immediately if Moscow orders mobilization
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said the government is prepared to close the border with Russia without delay if Russia declares general mobilization. Such a move would be treated as a change in the security threat assessment.
Pravda — ziņas · 17 Sept, 16:46
Liepāja and Jēkabpils Municipality named safest for road traffic
Latvia's Transport Ministry has named Liepāja the country's safest city for road traffic last year, while Jēkabpils Municipality was recognized as the safest municipality.
Apollo.lv · 17 Sept, 16:46
Driver stopped near Ķekava with blood alcohol level close to two per mille
Ķekava municipal police on Monday stopped a Volvo driver who had been driving erratically and endangering other road users, finding a severe level of alcohol intoxication.
TVNET · 17 Sept, 16:45
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Nine proposals submitted for Riga's Station Square redevelopment competition
Real estate developer Linstow has received nine proposals in a design competition for redeveloping a former slot machine pavilion and Station Square in Riga. Further details on the results and next steps have not yet been announced.
TVNET · 17 Sept, 15:49
After carriers' protest, government allocates extra €9.85 million for public transport
The Latvian government has allocated an additional €9.85 million for public transport services, but the carriers' association LPPA says this does not address its demands. Carriers are considering another protest on September 30 if the situation does not change.
Delfi · 17 Sept, 15:49
Consumer Rights Centre: airBaltic must fully uphold EU passenger rights
Latvia's Consumer Rights Protection Centre has stated that national airline airBaltic must continue to fully guarantee passenger rights set out under European Union regulation. The centre informed the LETA news agency of this position.
LSM (rus) · 17 Sept, 15:45
Valmiera woman fears storm-damaged tree the city won't remove could destroy her home
A Valmiera resident named Līga has spent five years trying to get the municipality to remove a leaning linden tree near her house, but officials maintain it poses no danger. The council says residents can appeal such assessments or request a new inspection if warning signs emerge.
Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 14:53
Study: Parties split on 5% defense spending pledge ahead of Latvia's parliamentary election
A study commissioned by the European Latvian Association on party election platforms found most lists back keeping defense spending at 5% of GDP, while two parties hint at rolling back that commitment.
BNN · 17 Sept, 14:52
Latvia's crisis management centre calls for mandatory rules for service providers during emergencies
After a recent storm left Latvians without electricity, communications, and access to food, fuel and medicine, the Crisis Management Centre says the voluntary approach for businesses should be replaced with mandatory requirements.
LSM · 17 Sept, 14:46
Rain and stronger winds expected in Latvia on Friday
Latvia will see brief rain showers on Friday, mostly in Kurzeme and northwestern Vidzeme, while wind gusts could reach up to 18 meters per second.
Jauns.lv · 17 Sept, 14:45
Estonia's new economy minister faces scrutiny over ties to firm that got state startup funding
Estonia's newly appointed minister of economic affairs and industry, Liina Vahtras, is facing questions over a possible conflict of interest after startups linked to an investment firm she led received about €1.25 million in state support while she sat on the funding agency's board. Prime Minister Kristen Michal says she followed the rules since she did not take part in the funding decisions.
ERR News · 17 Sept, 14:44
Estonian employers: government's refusal to cut unemployment insurance rate is unjustified
Estonia's Central Union of Employers has criticized the government's decision not to lower the unemployment insurance premium rate, despite the proposal being backed by the Unemployment Insurance Fund's council. The fund's reserves already exceed 600 million euros.
ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 14:43
Man stabs two people during conflict in Gulbene municipality
On Tuesday, a man injured two people with a knife during a conflict in Lizums parish, Gulbene municipality, the State Police reported.
Apollo.lv · 17 Sept, 13:49
"Cehs.lv": After minister's drunk-driving scandal, satire column proposes shift work for parliament
Delfi's satirical column "Cehs.lv" reacted to the case of former Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks, who was found driving with about three per mille of alcohol in his blood, by jokingly suggesting Latvia's parliament adopt a shift-work system to curb drinking problems among politicians.
Delfi · 17 Sept, 13:49
Estonian young people now leave home slightly later than before
In 2025, young people in Estonia left their parents' home at an average age of 22.7, slightly later than a year earlier, though still well below the EU average, Eurostat data shows.
ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 13:46
Latvia blocks access to over 100 websites suspected of hosting child abuse material
Since the start of 2026, more than 100 websites potentially containing child sexual abuse material have been identified in Latvia and had their access restricted. Several state institutions and the association KiAC are involved in the effort.
Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 13:45
Prosecution receives drunk-driving case against ex-minister Uzulnieks
Latvia's prosecution service has received the criminal case against former Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks, who was caught driving with a blood alcohol level of 3.09 per mille in September; a decision on charges is expected soon.
BNN · 17 Sept, 12:49
Prosecutors weigh charges against ex-minister Uzulnieks over drunk driving
Prosecutors have received a criminal case against former Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks, who was caught driving with a blood alcohol level of 3.09 per mille in September. A decision on formal charges is expected soon.
Delfi · 17 Sept, 12:48
Bomb shelters in state and municipal building basements can fit only half a million people in Latvia
While the war in Ukraine has lasted more than four years and shelters have become part of daily life for civilians there, Latvia only regulated the shelter issue by law last year, and basements of state and municipal buildings can currently accommodate only about half a million people.
LSM · 17 Sept, 11:50
LPV warns of “systemic crisis” over energy prices, appeals to President Rinkēvičs
The Saeima faction “Latvia First” has sent a letter to President Edgars Rinkēvičs urging an emergency Cabinet meeting over sharply rising fuel and energy prices. The faction warns of a looming inflation wave and demands immediate state support for residents.
BNN · 17 Sept, 11:50