Latvia & nearby
Crisis simulation game tests three parties' decision-making in fictional emergency
Three party teams took part in a pre-election simulation exercise involving a fictional crisis in the town of Silgale, with experts concluding all teams grasped the seriousness of the situation while noting room for improvement.
LSM · 14 Sept, 16:43
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Motorcyclists disrupt Muslim prayer at Kaunas mosque, show pig's head — probe launched
A group of motorcyclists disrupted Friday prayer at a mosque in Kaunas, Lithuania, chanting slogans, blasting loud music and displaying a pig's head; authorities have opened an investigation into possible incitement to hatred.
TVNET · 14 Sept, 15:50
Ousted minister Uzulnieks apologizes for drunk driving
Reinis Uzulnieks, removed as welfare minister and expelled from the Latvian Farmers' Union, has apologized for driving under the influence. He was detained on September 12 with a breathalyzer reading exceeding three per mille.
LSM (rus) · 14 Sept, 15:49
Uzulnieks apologizes after being caught driving with 3.09 per mille alcohol level
Former Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks issued a video apology to the public and his family after being caught driving under the influence with a blood alcohol level of 3.09 per mille. He has since lost his ministerial post and left his party.
BNN · 14 Sept, 15:43
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US Special Envoy for Belarus Visits Lithuania
US President's special envoy for Belarus affairs John Coale visited Lithuania on Monday and met with the country's foreign minister. Details of the meeting have not been disclosed.
TVNET · 14 Sept, 14:49
Lithuania probes hate incitement after pig's head shown at Kaunas mosque
Lithuanian police have launched a criminal investigation into hate incitement and interference with religious rites after bikers displayed a pig's head outside a Kaunas mosque during Friday prayers. The incident has drawn political criticism and calls from the Muslim community for stronger protection.
LRT English · 14 Sept, 14:49
Estonia moves to lift ban on transit of anti-personnel mines
Estonia's parliamentary National Defence Committee has advanced a bill allowing anti-personnel mines to be transported through the country's territory, with a first reading set for September 23.
ERR (rus) · 14 Sept, 14:45
Liepnieks warns of dangerous false sense of security in Latvian society over Russia
On TV24's show "Preses klubs," commentator Jurģis Liepnieks and Ziedot.lv head Rūta Dimanta warned that Latvian society and state institutions risk falling into a false sense of security regarding threats from Russia. Both called for strengthening crisis readiness now rather than later.
Latvijas Avīze · 14 Sept, 13:50
Trump's Belarus envoy visits Lithuania to discuss political prisoners
US President Donald Trump's special envoy for Belarus, John Coale, visited Lithuania on Monday and met Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys to discuss the release of political prisoners and migration challenges.
LRT English · 14 Sept, 13:49
KNAB requests criminal prosecution over alleged bribery in Valmiere region
Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has asked for criminal prosecution to be launched against the head of an accounting company and another person over a suspected bribery case in the Valmiere region. The case reportedly involves 1,000 euros and alcohol.
LSM (rus) · 14 Sept, 13:44
Fire safety checks target apartment buildings in Ida-Viru County
This week, Ida-Viru Rescue Centre inspectors are checking fire safety compliance in apartment buildings across four towns. The county has recorded dozens of fire risks and fatalities in recent years.
ERR (rus) · 14 Sept, 13:44
Estonia's Herem outlines data-driven defense plans to coalition partner Eesti 200
Defense minister candidate Martin Herem, former commander of Estonia's Defense Forces, met Eesti 200 lawmakers on Monday to present his plans, drawing praise for a data-driven approach informed by Ukraine's experience.
ERR News · 14 Sept, 12:47
Estonia urged to back its climate goals with real tools, not just targets
Estonian commentator Laura Kostiak argues the state sets ambitious climate targets, such as renovating the entire building stock by 2050, without providing businesses and citizens the data and support tools needed to reach them.
ERR (rus) · 14 Sept, 11:44
No restraining measure imposed on ex-minister Uzulnieks
Former Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks has not been placed under any restraining measure after his detention, though he faces up to a year in prison for drunk driving.
LSM (rus) · 14 Sept, 11:44
Supreme Court upholds five-year sentence for smuggling migrants across Latvia's border
Latvia's Supreme Court has refused to open cassation proceedings in the case of a man convicted of illegally moving five migrants across the state border as part of an organized group. He must serve a five-year prison sentence.
Jauns.lv · 14 Sept, 11:44
Estonian language expert: languages can be learned from anywhere in Estonia
Pille Pipar-Aksin of the Institute of the Estonian Language says language learning is increasingly moving online, letting people study regardless of location. PISA 2025 results show most Estonian students believe abilities can be developed through effort.
ERR (rus) · 14 Sept, 10:50
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Official Gazette "Latvijas Vēstnesis" now publishes election lists and candidate information in audio format
Latvia's official publisher "Latvijas Vēstnesis" has dedicated parts of its publication to the 15th Saeima election lists, party programmes and candidate news, making them available in audio format as well.
TVNET · 14 Sept, 10:47
Former minister's drunk driving arrest sparks debate on officials' accountability
After former welfare minister Reinis Uzulnieks was arrested for driving with a blood alcohol level of 3.09 per mille and dismissed from office, cybersecurity expert Elviss Strazdiņš criticized the incident, questioning how officials would handle a crisis while intoxicated.
Latvijas Avīze · 14 Sept, 10:45
Lithuania launches military exercises in 12 municipalities in the southeast
From September 14 to 18, Lithuania is holding military exercises in 12 municipalities in the country's southeast, including near Vilnius, training responses to various military threats. No simulated live-fire shooting is planned.
Ukrainska Pravda · 14 Sept, 10:43
Lithuanian mufti calls on government to protect Muslims after bikers disrupt mosque prayers
After a group of bikers disrupted Friday prayers at a Kaunas mosque by bringing a pig's head and chanting nationalistic slogans, Lithuania's Muslim community leader Mufti Aleksandras Beganskas is urging the government to ensure the community's safety.
LRT English · 14 Sept, 09:50
Meteorological autumn may have provisionally begun in Latvia
Data from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre suggest meteorological autumn provisionally began on September 10. Final confirmation will come after Monday.
LSM (rus) · 14 Sept, 09:47
17 babies born at Vidzeme Hospital in one week
Between September 7 and 13, Vidzeme Hospital welcomed 17 newborns — 8 girls and 9 boys. Most of the families come from municipalities outside Valmiera city itself.
Valmieras Ziņas · 14 Sept, 09:46
Vidzeme fire crews handle seven calls over weekend, including dry grass fire in Smiltene
Latvia's Vidzeme regional fire and rescue service logged seven callouts from September 11-14, including a dry grass and reed fire covering three square meters in Smiltene.
Ziemeļlatvija · 14 Sept, 09:43
Family opens countryside café in Valgunde parish, becomes local gathering spot
A year ago, Inese and Aldis Rugens opened the café “Vītoliņu virtuve” in Vītoliņi, Valgunde parish, after years running local shops. The venue now serves daily lunches as well as celebrations and evenings with live music.
Zemgales Ziņas · 14 Sept, 08:49
PM Kulbergs: welfare sector won't be left without leadership before elections
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said Latvia's welfare sector will keep functioning fully ahead of the elections, with Agriculture Minister Uldis Augulis temporarily taking over ministerial duties after Reinis Uzulnieks' departure.
Bauskas Dzīve · 14 Sept, 08:47
Departing Estonian defence minister tells allies about work done in office
Estonia's outgoing defence minister Hanno Pevkur wrote to his British and German counterparts explaining his resignation and thanking them for supporting Estonia's security. He urged Europe to keep backing Ukraine.
ERR (rus) · 14 Sept, 08:46
Court continues criminal case against popular actor Andris Daugaviņš
The Riga City Court will resume hearing the criminal case against actor and former insolvency administrator Andris Daugaviņš, accused of misappropriation and abuse of office, on January 21 next year. Daugaviņš has separately taken a related dispute to the European Court of Human Rights.
BNN · 14 Sept, 08:45
Rēzekne City and Municipality Weigh Options for Preserving Heritage Buildings
Officials from Rēzekne city and Rēzekne municipality outline how local funding supports the preservation of locally significant cultural monuments, and where funding and coordination challenges remain.
LaKuga · 14 Sept, 08:44
Four bus routes in Bauska municipality to change departure times from September 21
Starting Monday, September 21, departure times will change on four regional bus routes in Bauska municipality. The Road Transport Directorate advises passengers to check the current schedule before traveling.
Bauskas Dzīve · 14 Sept, 07:48
Figures in Estonia's shell procurement scandal now lead a factory project in Latvia
Two people who were responsible for a disputed artillery shell procurement in Estonia, worth around 60 million euros in advance payments, are now leading a multimillion-euro shell factory project in Latvia, according to Latvian Television's "De facto" programme.
LSM (rus) · 14 Sept, 07:48
Next Week's Name Days: Sandra and Santa Top the List
According to Latvia's Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, Sandra and Santa are the most common names among those celebrating name days next week, while Gunvaris and Muntis are the rarest.
Jauns.lv · 14 Sept, 07:45
Seven habits that can help households cut down on waste
From 2035, landfills will be allowed to hold no more than 10% of household waste, while in Latvia the figure stood at 34% in 2024. Simple everyday habits are suggested to help residents produce less waste and save money.
Kurzemnieks · 14 Sept, 07:44
Foggy start to the week in Latvia, wide rain zone approaching from Thursday
Latvia will see changeable cloud cover and scattered rain in the first half of the week, while a broad precipitation zone approaching from the west is expected to bring rain across nearly the whole country by Thursday.
BNN · 14 Sept, 07:44
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Agriculture Minister Augulis takes over welfare ministry duties
Latvia's Agriculture Minister Uldis Augulis (Union of Greens and Farmers) has begun performing the duties of welfare minister as of today. No official explanation for the change has been made public.
Apollo.lv · 14 Sept, 07:43
Free school lunches for older students too? How it works in Riga and Liepāja
While pupils in grades 1–4 across Latvia get free school lunches, support for older students varies by municipality — in Liepāja some families can get a full or partial discount, while in Riga no such option currently exists.
Latvijas Avīze · 14 Sept, 06:48
Bite Latvia CEO: August storm exposes need for closer cooperation on critical infrastructure resilience
Following the late-August storm that caused widespread power outages in Latvia, Bite Latvia's CEO argues that telecom network resilience is closely tied to power supply and requires coordinated cooperation between the state, municipalities and companies. He notes that full 72-hour autonomy for the entire mobile network is not technologically achievable and calls for a proportionate, risk-based approach.
Žurnāls Ir · 14 Sept, 06:48