Latvia & nearby (130)

Saeima salary ranking for August: Daiga Mieriņa tops list with over €7,600

Published data show Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa earned the highest pay among lawmakers in August 2026, at €7,645.85, followed by Agita Zariņa-Stūre and Jānis Grasbergs.

Jauns.lv · 13 Sept, 15:43

Lithuania declares and lifts yellow-level air alert as NATO fighter jets scramble

On Sunday, Lithuania briefly issued a yellow-level air threat alert in several areas including Vilnius over a suspected drone, prompting NATO fighter jets to scramble before the alert was lifted about half an hour later. Vilnius airport temporarily halted operations during the incident.

Latvijas Avīze · 13 Sept, 14:50

Lithuania declares yellow-level air alert in Vilnius region, scrambles NATO fighter jets

Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre issued a yellow-level air alert on Sunday, warning of a possible air threat in Vilnius and surrounding areas, prompting NATO fighter jets to be scrambled.

Apollo.lv · 13 Sept, 14:49

Lithuania issues brief yellow-level air alert on Sunday

Lithuania's National Crisis Management Centre issued a yellow-level air threat alert on Sunday covering areas around Vilnius, which was lifted roughly half an hour later. No further details on the nature of the threat were provided.

TVNET · 13 Sept, 14:49

Monday brings rain and fog across Latvia, temperatures up to +19°C

Latvia will see mild but rainy autumn weather on Monday, with fog forming in parts of the country. Daytime temperatures will rise to as high as +19°C.

Jauns.lv · 13 Sept, 14:44

Political scientist: Uzulnieks' drunk driving may not significantly hurt ZZS election results

Political scientist Jānis Ikstens believes that Welfare Minister Uzulnieks being caught driving under the influence is unlikely to seriously affect the Union of Greens and Farmers' overall results in the upcoming elections, though it could hurt his own political prospects.

Delfi · 13 Sept, 14:44

Ex-military chief's appointment as Estonia's defence minister worries security experts

The appointment of former Defence Forces commander Martin Herem as Estonia's defence minister has alarmed several ex-senior officers, who cite conflict-of-interest risks and rushed procurement, even as Prime Minister Kristen Michal expresses full confidence in him.

ERR (rus) · 13 Sept, 14:43

Rainy weather delays potato harvest — local supply in stores may shrink

This year's potato crop in Latvia is good, but wet weather is making it hard for farmers to harvest, which could mean less local potato on store shelves. Farmers hope conditions improve soon.

LSM (rus) · 13 Sept, 13:49

Lithuania declares and then lifts air alert over possible drone sighting

Lithuanian authorities briefly issued a yellow air alert on Sunday over a possible drone in the Vilnius area before declaring the situation resolved. Flights at Vilnius Airport were temporarily halted.

LRT English · 13 Sept, 13:49

Rinkēvičs indirectly addresses minister's dismissal over drunk driving

President Edgars Rinkēvičs condemned drunk driving on social media in an apparent indirect response to the dismissal of Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks. The minister was removed from office after police caught him driving while heavily intoxicated.

TVNET · 13 Sept, 13:48

September still a good time to plant vegetables for an autumn harvest

Although the summer vegetable season is winding down, September remains a suitable month to plant several vegetables that can still be harvested in autumn. Gardeners are advised to choose fast-growing varieties and use protective covers.

Latvijas Avīze · 13 Sept, 13:48

Rinkēvičs: Drunk-driving officials must face harsh punishment

President Edgars Rinkēvičs has sharply condemned drunk driving, stressing that such behavior is especially unacceptable for state officials.

Apollo.lv · 13 Sept, 13:46

PM Kulbergs dismisses Uzulnieks as welfare minister after drink-driving arrest

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has ordered the dismissal of Reinis Uzulnieks as welfare minister after he was detained for driving under a heavy influence of alcohol. Uldis Augulis has been appointed acting welfare minister for the remainder of this government's term.

Delfi · 13 Sept, 12:47

PM Kulbergs sacks Welfare Minister Uzulnieks over alleged drunk driving

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has removed Reinis Uzulnieks as welfare minister after reports he was caught driving with a blood alcohol level of 3.09 per mille. Uldis Augulis will take over the minister's duties until the government's term ends.

Latvijas Avīze · 13 Sept, 12:46

Rimi School Super Cup 2026 launched – schools invited to enter youth basketball teams

Riga Zeļļi and Rimi Latvia have launched a new national basketball tournament for school teams, with the final set for December at Xiaomi Arena. Schools can register until September 28.

Ziemeļlatvija · 13 Sept, 11:51

New Latvian cemetery law takes effect, but municipalities lack funding to implement it

Latvia's newly adopted Cemetery Law sets unified national rules for cemetery management for the first time, but municipalities say they lack money to build required digital registers. Industry figures welcome the law while flagging practical gaps.

Bauskas Dzīve · 13 Sept, 11:50

Latvian Greens and Farmers Union recalls welfare minister after drunk driving incident

The Union of Greens and Farmers has decided to recall Reinis Uzulnieks from his post as welfare minister after police caught him driving under the influence of alcohol. Latvian Television reported the decision.

TVNET · 13 Sept, 11:48

Ieva Taranda calls on public to remember Nepal disaster's missing as loved ones

Ieva Taranda, headmaster of Jūrmala State Gymnasium whose sister-in-law is among those missing in Nepal, has urged the public to share memories of the 33 missing Latvians rather than treat them as a mere statistic. It has now been 18 days since the disaster with no news of the missing.

Jauns.lv · 13 Sept, 11:47

LTV: Welfare Minister Uzulnieks recalled after being stopped for drunk driving

Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks is being recalled from office after police stopped him driving a car while under the influence of alcohol, Latvian Television (LTV) reports.

Apollo.lv · 13 Sept, 11:47

Šlesers' "Latvia First" Party — Already His Eighth Political Project

In August 2021, amid Covid-era restrictions, businessman Ainārs Šlesers founded the party "Latvia First," marking his eighth political project after nearly a decade away from active politics.

LSM (rus) · 13 Sept, 11:44

Latvia's Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks dismissed after alleged drunk-driving arrest

Welfare Minister Reinis Uzulnieks has been removed from office and expelled from the ZZS party following reports that police stopped him for driving with an extremely high blood alcohol level. The party plans to provide further details on Monday.

OgreNet · 13 Sept, 11:43

15 drunk drivers caught on Latvian roads in one day

Latvia's State Police detained 15 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol over the past 24 hours, with vehicle confiscation planned in at least four cases.

Apollo.lv · 13 Sept, 10:48

Latvia's emergency medical service to get nearly €580,000 for fuel costs

Due to a sharp rise in fuel prices, Latvia's Emergency Medical Service is set to receive an additional €578,307 from the state's contingency fund. The money is meant to let the service maintain its current level of pre-hospital care through the end of the year.

Latvijas Avīze · 13 Sept, 10:47

Estonia's pick for defense minister, Herem, draws concern from security experts

The nomination of former Estonian Defense Forces chief Martin Herem as defense minister has raised concerns among security experts over potential conflicts of interest and a lack of transparency in the process. Prime Minister Kristen Michal says he fully trusts Herem.

ERR News · 13 Sept, 10:47

Sunday to bring mostly cloudy skies across Latvia

Latvia's weather service forecasts mostly cloudy conditions on Sunday, with rain expected in western and central areas while eastern regions see more sunshine. Temperatures will rise to +15…+18 degrees.

OgreNet · 13 Sept, 10:46

Commander of British forces in Estonia: ready to join combat immediately if needed

British Brigadier General Murray, who leads the UK contingent in Estonia, says military cooperation between the two countries is exceptionally close and that his forces would engage immediately if NATO required it. British troop numbers in Estonia are set to rise from about 900 to nearly 1,200 by next spring.

ERR (rus) · 13 Sept, 10:45

15 drivers caught driving under the influence over past 24 hours

Latvian police report that 15 drivers were caught driving under the influence of alcohol on the country's roads over the past 24 hours, the State Police told the LETA agency.

TVNET · 13 Sept, 10:45

Writer Māra Svīre: Remembering loved ones doesn't require visiting the grave

Latvian writer Māra Svīre shares her personal views on modern cemetery culture in Latvia, saying loved ones can be honored without frequent grave visits. She still visits on specific occasions like candle evenings and Jāņi.

Staburags · 13 Sept, 10:45

Ventspils Water Adventure Park to close water rides and spa zone for weeks of repairs

From September 14 to October 6, the water rides and spa zone at the Ventspils Water Adventure Park will be closed for annual maintenance work. Other parts of the facility will keep operating as usual.

Jauns.lv · 13 Sept, 10:43

“Bride Hunters” at the National Theatre — a review of the premiere

The Latvian National Theatre premiered director Paula Pļavniece's play “Bride Hunters” on September 10, based on Anšlavs Eglītis' novel of the same name. A viewer's reflections suggest the production lived up to the high expectations set by earlier positive reactions.

Staburags · 13 Sept, 09:52

Latvian National Theatre premieres “The Bride Hunters”

On September 10, the Latvian National Theatre premiered director Paula Pļavniece's production "The Bride Hunters," a modern take on Anšlavs Eglītis's novel of the same name. The play explores 1930s attitudes toward marriage as a means of financial gain, blending comedy with social commentary.

Staburags · 13 Sept, 09:50

About 30% of children's injuries happen at school, insurer's data shows

Insurance data from BTA shows nearly a third of children's accidents occur at school, prompting experts to urge parents to revisit safety rules with kids at the start of the school year. A psychologist stresses hands-on practice for younger children and treating teenagers as equal partners in the conversation.

Ziemeļlatvija · 13 Sept, 09:49

33 Latvians missing after Nepal floods — relative awaits news of Agnese and Raimonds

Devastating floods and mudslides in Nepal have left 33 residents of Latvia missing, including pilgrims Agnese and Raimonds who were traveling to Mount Kailash. It is the country's largest such loss since the 2013 Zolitūde tragedy.

LSM (rus) · 13 Sept, 09:49

Tallinn introduces new rules for cemetery use

Since September, Tallinn's city government has required advance registration for driving into cemeteries, while staff also report ongoing problems with waste dumping and theft. Cemetery department head Heiki Kask describes the daily challenges of keeping order.

ERR (rus) · 13 Sept, 09:46