Latvia & nearby (123)

Saeima backs changes to National Defence Service law, lowering sign-up age to 17

Latvia's parliament unanimously approved in first reading amendments allowing voluntary applications to national defence service from age 17 and expanding social guarantees for conscripts.

Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 11:43

High fuel prices delay Estonia's reserve replenishment

Estonia sold off about a tenth of its fuel reserves in March but is not yet buying them back due to high prices, though officials say overall reserves remain solid.

ERR News · 17 Sept, 10:49

Ramona Urtāne: a civil servant must learn to accept decisions she disagrees with

Long-serving education ministry expert Ramona Urtāne reflects in a personal opinion piece on her experience under three different ministers and calls for a more honest, mistake-acknowledging conversation about education reforms.

Delfi · 17 Sept, 10:48

Rituals gift mix-up: Estonian-shaped magnet sold as "I love Latvia"

A photo circulating on social media shows a Rituals magnet and car air freshener shaped like Estonia and colored in the Estonian flag's hues, yet labeled "I ♥ Latvia," sparking online jokes about Baltic confusion.

Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 10:47

Court to hear Oksa espionage case behind closed doors

Riga City Court has decided to continue hearing the criminal case against Jevgeņijs Oksa, accused of espionage for Russia, in a closed session because security service officials are being questioned.

TVNET · 17 Sept, 10:46

Written explanation at work: a chance to present your side and dispute claims

When a workplace conflict or suspected violation arises, an employer may ask an employee to explain what happened in writing. Such a document is not mere paperwork — it gives the employee a chance to present their version of events and challenge the accusations made against them.

LSM (rus) · 17 Sept, 10:46

Bus in Narva-Jõesuu hits fallen tree, passengers unharmed

On Thursday, September 17, a bus struck a tree that had fallen on the road in the village of Arumäe in the Narva-Jõesuu municipality. No passengers were injured, and another bus arrived to continue their journey.

ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 10:45

Latvia's Security Service detains person linked to pro-Kremlin group's threats against Latvian companies

Latvia's State Security Service has opened a criminal case and detained a person in Riga after the pro-Kremlin group GCAW1984 threatened companies in Latvia, Poland and Portugal supplying weapons to Ukraine.

Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 09:48

Police identify suspect in Old Town beating of young man

Latvia's State Police say they have identified a person believed responsible for beating a young man in Riga's Old Town on September 12, on Grēcinieku Street.

Apollo.lv · 17 Sept, 09:47

Stepaņenko avoids assessing Russia's threat to Latvia

Prime ministerial candidate Jūlija Stepaņenko declined in a podcast interview to clearly say whether Russia currently threatens Latvia, stressing the need for active foreign policy instead. She also would not comment on former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's remarks about the Baltic states.

BNN · 17 Sept, 09:45

Latvia opens criminal case over terrorism threats from pro-Kremlin group

Latvia's State Security Service has launched a criminal investigation into threats of terrorist attacks against companies supplying weapons to Ukraine, after a pro-Kremlin group issued an ultimatum demanding an end to arms deliveries.

Pravda — ziņas · 17 Sept, 09:44

Estonia's ambassador Hanso: Trump laughed when I offered to read his credentials in Estonian

Estonia's ambassador to the US, Hannes Hanso, presented his credentials to President Donald Trump at the White House on September 15, describing the ceremony as short but memorable. He also discussed talks held around the event on Ukraine's reconstruction and a rare earth metals agreement.

ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 09:43

Smiltene Municipality Seeks Nominees for Top Community Awards

Smiltene municipality is inviting residents, businesses and institutions to submit nominations for its highest honors by October 5, 2026. Winners will be honored at an event marking the anniversary of Latvia's independence proclamation.

Ziemeļlatvija · 17 Sept, 08:49

PM Kulbergs: cabinet meetings drain me with bureaucracy

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has openly criticized excessive bureaucracy in public administration, saying cabinet meetings emotionally exhaust him. He is calling for the next parliament to prioritize cutting red tape.

BNN · 17 Sept, 08:48

Estonian teachers to hold nationwide one-hour warning strike on September 22

Estonia's teachers' union has called a countrywide warning strike over low wages, demanding minimum salaries reach the national average by 2027.

ERR News · 17 Sept, 08:47

Germany to send Eurofighter jets to Latvia during parliamentary elections

Germany is deploying Eurofighter combat aircraft to Latvia to help secure the country's airspace around the October 3 parliamentary elections, following a series of drone incursions into Baltic airspace.

ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 08:46

New apple-shaped sculptures installed in Dobele ahead of Apple Festival

New large-scale apple sculptures have appeared on Dobele's Market Square ahead of the Apple Festival taking place on October 3. The installation was created by company "Tenapors" together with the municipality's environmental designer.

Zemgales Ziņas · 17 Sept, 08:43

Smiltene care home seeks volunteers to talk with elderly residents

The Social Care Department of the Latvian Red Cross Smiltene Hospital is calling for volunteers, stressing that their main task is simply talking with seniors rather than providing care. The appeal follows a recent nationwide Open Doors Day at social care centers organized by the Ascendum association.

Ziemeļlatvija · 17 Sept, 07:52

Supervising a probation client costs 15 times less than imprisonment, Latvia's Justice Ministry says

Latvia's Justice Ministry says supervising one probation client costs the state an average of €4.15 a day, compared with over €62 a day for keeping someone in prison. The State Probation Service handled almost 15,000 cases last year.

Bauskas Dzīve · 17 Sept, 07:48

Thursday to bring mix of sun and clouds, with brief rain in places

Thursday's weather in Latvia will be changeable, with fewer clouds and short rain showers in some areas, while Latgale will see a cloudy and mostly rainy morning.

Apollo.lv · 17 Sept, 07:47

Kuldīga residents urged to take part more in community life

An opinion piece calls on Kuldīga residents to leave their homes more often and engage in the city's social life, noting the town offers many affordable ways to socialize.

Kurzemnieks · 17 Sept, 07:47

Estonian Centre Party seeks lower turnover tax for restaurants, EKRE proposes cutting fuel excise duty

Two bills were submitted to Estonia's parliament — the Centre Party wants to lower the turnover tax on catering services to 13%, while EKRE proposes reducing excise duty on fuel and other energy sources.

ERR (rus) · 17 Sept, 07:45

Latvia reveals cost gap: keeping a prisoner costs 15 times more than probation supervision

Latvia's Justice Ministry disclosed that housing one inmate costs the state €62.08 per day on average, compared to €4.15 per day for a probation client. The State Probation Service handled nearly 15,000 cases last year.

Latvijas Avīze · 17 Sept, 07:44

Saeima to review MP compensation system for housing and transport

Ahead of elections, Latvian parliament members have decided to review their compensation system for housing and transport costs to make it more proportionate and transparent. The debate was fueled by an anti-corruption bureau probe into the spending of Progressives' MP Leila Rasima, which found no violations.

LSM (rus) · 17 Sept, 07:44

Europe marks a day without road traffic deaths in road safety campaign

European Union countries, including Latvia, are taking part in an action today aimed at going a full day without road deaths or serious injuries. In Latvia, 66 people have already died in traffic accidents this year.

Jauns.lv · 17 Sept, 07:44

Former Jelgava Prison, once holding Jānis Čakste, now open for tours

Jelgava Prison, in operation since 1870, was officially closed on June 30, 2026 after the opening of the new Liepāja Prison, and now hosts public tours. The municipality that took over the site is considering a sports centre, housing or a new city district.

Staburags · 17 Sept, 07:43

Asked to explain yourself at work? It's a chance to speak up, not just paperwork

When a workplace conflict or suspected violation arises, an employer may ask an employee for a written explanation — but the document actually gives the employee a chance to present their own account and challenge the accusations made against them.

LSM · 17 Sept, 07:43

Rain to cover most of Latvia this week, wind to pick up by weekend

Rain showers are forecast across most of Latvia on Thursday and Friday, with stronger wind expected by the end of the week. Temperatures will dip slightly at the start of next week.

BNN · 17 Sept, 06:50

Jelgava municipality opens new job vacancies with salaries up to €2,044

Jelgava municipal institutions and the city hospital have announced several job openings across different fields, with gross monthly salaries ranging from €946 to €2,044.

Zemgales Ziņas · 17 Sept, 06:47

HPV vaccination reaches 47.8% of children in Bauska municipality, above national average

Latvia's disease control centre SPKC has published municipality-level HPV vaccination data for the first time, revealing large regional gaps. In Bauska municipality, 47.8% of eligible children have received a first dose, above the national average of 43.4%.

Bauskas Dzīve · 17 Sept, 06:43

Ventspils Free Port and insolvent "Ostas celtnieks" clash over half-million-euro debt

A dispute has emerged between the Ventspils Free Port Authority and insolvent construction firm "Ostas celtnieks" over an unpaid invoice exceeding 480,000 euros for building a promenade. The conflict also involves 167 days of construction delays.

Apollo.lv · 17 Sept, 05:51

Public consultation opens on rules for home schooling, distance learning and part-time attendance

Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers has put forward draft rules on how parents must justify home or distance schooling for their children and how municipalities will assess such requests. Comments can be submitted until September 24.

LV portāls · 17 Sept, 05:50

Jelgava begins renovating pedestrian paths in Alunāns Park

Jelgava municipal authority “Pilsētsaimniecība” reports that renovation of pedestrian paths has started in Alunāns Park. The work is being carried out by the company SIA “Kulk”, selected through a public procurement.

Zemgales Ziņas · 17 Sept, 05:43

Rain in eastern Latvia, clearing skies in Kurzeme

On Thursday morning rain fell across Latgale, Sēlija and parts of Vidzeme, while skies gradually cleared in Kurzeme. Morning temperatures ranged between +10 and +16 degrees.

Bauskas Dzīve · 17 Sept, 05:43