Latvia & nearby

Fire breaks out in wood-shaving bunker at production building in Smiltene municipality
A fire broke out in a single-story production building in Bilska parish, Smiltene municipality, involving a wood-shaving bunker and scattered shavings. Latvia's fire and rescue service also responded to several other blazes in the Vidzeme region over the same 24 hours, including a serious fire at an apartment building in Valmiera.
Ziemeļlatvija · 15 Sept, 09:43

Meteorological autumn officially begins in Latvia
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre has confirmed that meteorological autumn began in the country on September 10. This is later than last year but earlier than the long-term average.
Bauskas Dzīve · 15 Sept, 08:50

Autumn Harvest and Plant Fair to Take Place in Jelgava on September 19
On September 19, Jelgava will host an Autumn Harvest and Plant Fair at Duke Jacob's Square and Krišjānis Barons Street from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m., themed around the carrot this year. Traffic restrictions will apply during the event.
Zemgales Ziņas · 15 Sept, 08:48

Meteorological autumn has officially arrived in Latvia, though today brings warm weather
Latvian meteorologists confirm that meteorological autumn has begun this year, yet Riga will still see a warm, dry day with highs of +19 degrees. This year's onset came later than in 2025 but earlier than the long-term average.
OgreNet · 15 Sept, 08:47

Drunk driver in Bauska crashes into parked car
On Sunday in Bauska, a man driving an Audi while heavily intoxicated crashed into a parked Volvo, damaging it. Police have launched two administrative violation proceedings against the driver.
Bauskas Dzīve · 15 Sept, 07:50
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Tuesday to bring sunny spells in Latvia as temperatures rise to +20°C
Morning fog is expected to clear gradually across Latvia on Tuesday, giving way to partly cloudy skies with occasional sunshine. Meteorologists forecast air temperatures reaching up to +20 degrees.
Apollo.lv · 15 Sept, 07:49

Jelgava families have until September 30 to apply for school supplies benefit
The Jelgava Social Affairs Department reminds residents that applications for a benefit covering individual school supplies are open until September 30. The support is available to children from low-income households as well as foster and guardian families.
Zemgales Ziņas · 15 Sept, 07:49

From September 16, enhanced road safety checks begin across Latvia and the EU
From September 16 to 22, Latvia and other European Union countries will hold the annual 'ROADPOL Safety Days' campaign, during which police will pay increased attention to road traffic safety.
LSM (rus) · 15 Sept, 07:44

Kuldīga art school adds new ceramics kiln to expand workshop capacity
Kuldīga's Art and Humanities Primary School has acquired a new ceramics kiln with support from the State Culture Capital Foundation and the local municipality, bringing the workshop's total to three kilns. The new equipment offers far more program options than the older kilns and should speed up work for the school's more than 200 students.
Kurzemnieks · 15 Sept, 07:44

NATO fighter jets shoot down drone over Lithuania
NATO fighter jets shot down a drone that had entered Lithuanian airspace from the direction of Belarus. Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda thanked the alliance for its swift response.
Delfi · 15 Sept, 07:43

Woman using a rollator hit by car in Estonia
A 91-year-old woman was hit by a car after turning onto the road with her rollator in Järvakandi, Estonia. She was taken to hospital.
ERR (rus) · 15 Sept, 07:43

'X Hour in Silgale': TV show to test how Saeima candidates handle a crisis
Ahead of this year's Saeima elections, Latvian Television's show 'Aizliegtais paņēmiens' will run a game called 'X Hour in Silgale', putting parliamentary candidates through a simulated crisis situation.
LSM · 15 Sept, 06:45

Armands Puče: Kulbergs must act as prime minister, not just play one before elections
In an opinion piece for Latvijas Avīze, columnist Armands Puče argues that Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs must prove he can make real decisions rather than merely posture ahead of the Saeima elections.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Sept, 06:44

Early September in Latvia brought unusually heavy rain and above-average warmth
Data from Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre show the first ten days of September brought nearly two and a half times the normal rainfall, while temperatures ran about 1.5 degrees above average.
Bauskas Dzīve · 15 Sept, 06:43

LSM.lv airs new episode of talk show «Let's Discuss Tonight»
On September 14, 2026, LSM.lv broadcast a new episode of its Russian-language program «Обсудим вечером». The source material does not specify what topics were discussed.
LSM (rus) · 15 Sept, 05:52

Old shed foundations and one land registry entry: dune-zone building dispute reaches Supreme Court
A dispute over a property in Apšuciems, where a house was to be justified in the Baltic Sea dune protection zone by old shed foundations and a single land registry entry, has reached Latvia's Supreme Court.
TVNET · 15 Sept, 05:49

Jelgava to open “Ghetto Games” winter season with football and basketball tournaments
The “Ghetto Games” winter season “Forget the Winter” will kick off on September 23 at Jelgava's Zemgale Olympic Centre with street football and 3×3 basketball competitions. Entry for spectators is free, and youngest age groups compete without a fee.
Zemgales Ziņas · 15 Sept, 05:44

French Ambassador Reveals Talks on Nuclear Deterrence with Estonia
Newly appointed French Ambassador Alexandre Escorcia has disclosed previously undisclosed talks between Estonia and France on nuclear deterrence, saying Europe must take greater responsibility for its own security.
Postimees · 15 Sept, 02:51

Latvians and Lithuanians to gather on Mēmele bridge for Baltic Unity Day
On September 22, residents of Skaistkalne and Germaniškis will mark Baltic Unity Day for the 11th time by meeting on the Latvian-Lithuanian border bridge over the Mēmele river. The evening will continue in Germaniškis park with speeches, a symbolic bonfire and music.
Jauns.lv · 15 Sept, 02:49
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Season's zucchini: what to do with large garden squash
As the vegetable canning season continues, gardeners are advised that large, mature zucchini with thick skin and hardened seeds are best used for canning in jars together with other vegetables.
TVNET · 15 Sept, 02:48
Latvia's new Immigration Law takes effect
A new Immigration Law came into force in Latvia on 15 September, changing rules and deadlines for residence permits, including scrapping permits tied to real estate purchases. The law was years in the making and was sent back once by the President before final adoption.
LV portāls · 15 Sept, 02:43

Dispute Over House Construction in Apšuciems Dunes Reaches Supreme Court
A property in Apšuciems, within the Baltic Sea coastal dune protection zone, has become the subject of a court dispute over whether old shed foundations and a single Land Register entry justify bypassing the construction ban in the area. The case has reached the Supreme Court.
Apollo.lv · 15 Sept, 01:52

Latvian officer: no guarantee of full defense against a mass drone attack
National Armed Forces Major Jānis Slaidiņš says Latvia's air defense could not guarantee destroying every drone if dozens of Russian drones entered the country's airspace simultaneously, adding that such attacks are carefully planned by the enemy.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Sept, 01:50
Latvia's new Immigration Law: eight more changes foreigners and their hosts should know
Latvia's new Immigration Law took effect on September 15, introducing stricter language requirements, an integration program and a unified permanent residence status. The law was re-passed by parliament in August after the President sent it back for reconsideration.
LV portāls · 15 Sept, 01:46

Vilnius district issues new possible air threat warning
Lithuanian authorities issued another possible air threat alert for the Vilnius district overnight into Tuesday, sending residents phone warnings about a yellow-level risk possibly linked to a drone sighting.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Sept, 00:44
Latvia to let residents formally register refusal to take out loans
Amendments to Latvia's Credit Information Bureau Law will let any individual mark in the bureau's database that they refuse to receive credit, a note lenders must respect. The changes also simplify access to consolidated information on one's own credit obligations.
LV portāls · 15 Sept, 00:43

Man falls from loggia in Jelgava, medics fight for his life
On Saturday in Jelgava, medics tried to save the life of a man believed to be about 39 years old who fell from a loggia onto a stairwell canopy, according to the TV3 program "Degpunktā".
Apollo.lv · 14 Sept, 22:47

Former Estonian Defence Forces Commander Martin Herem Set to Become Defence Minister
Estonian outlet Postimees held a live interview with Martin Herem, the former Commander of the Estonian Defence Forces, who is about to take office as Defence Minister and discussed plans to address confusion in the sector.
Postimees · 14 Sept, 22:47

Family seeks help finding missing “Transleiteris” band member Lauris Mihailovs
Relatives are appealing for public help after losing contact with Lauris Mihailovs, member of the popular comedy music duo “Transleiteris,” who traveled to Hungary and has not been heard from since Saturday.
Latvijas Avīze · 14 Sept, 22:45
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Former State Digital Development Agency Head Liopa Released on Bail
Jorens Liopa, former director of Latvia's State Digital Development Agency, has been released from custody after paying bail, Latvian Television reported on Monday.
Apollo.lv · 14 Sept, 20:47

Former VDAA director Liopa released from custody on bail
Renārs Liopa, former head of Latvia's State Digital Development Agency, was released from pre-trial detention last week after posting €30,000 bail. He is suspected of fraud involving EU-funded IT procurement.
Delfi · 14 Sept, 20:47

Estonian court begins trial of "Slava Ukraini" charity founder
A court in Estonia's Harju County has begun hearing a criminal case against Johanna-Maria Lehtme, former head of the charity Slava Ukraini, accused of breach of trust and misappropriating donated funds. Lehtme denies wrongdoing.
ERR (rus) · 14 Sept, 20:45

Six-year-long farmers' theft case prompts calls to reconsider the law
A criminal case over a theft that cost several Latvian farmers more than €100,000 has dragged through the courts for six and a half years, with victims complaining about the excessive delay. The head of the Judicial Council says the case exposes serious problems with the law.
LSM · 14 Sept, 20:45

Rural Latvia struggles to find successors for retiring family doctors
The average age of family doctors in Latvia has reached 55, and finding successors in rural regions remains difficult — in Aizkraukle, it took three years to find a doctor willing to take over one practice.
LSM · 14 Sept, 18:44

Investigation: Cuban national recruited people for GRU-directed terror attacks in Europe
A joint journalist investigation has found that Oemis Romagosa, a Cuban national living in Russia who works as a dance instructor, recruited people online for terror attacks planned by Russia's GRU military intelligence in several European countries, including Lithuania. An international arrest warrant has been issued against him.
Delfi · 14 Sept, 17:45
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Bus window in Liepāja possibly shot out with air gun
On Sunday evening in Liepāja, the rear door window of a city public transport bus was damaged, with police saying it may have been shot with an air gun. The information was confirmed by the State Police Kurzeme regional department.
Apollo.lv · 14 Sept, 16:46