Latvia & nearby (131)

Insurance claims from August storm in Latvia already reach 13 million euros

Three weeks after a severe storm hit Latvia in August, insurers have received claims worth around 13 million euros, with total damage potentially reaching tens of millions, Latvian Television reports.

Apollo.lv · 12 Sept, 22:44

Michal: Herem asked to keep defence spending at 5% of GDP

Estonian PM Kristen Michal has denied claims that incoming defence minister Martin Herem will receive special powers, though critics question the transparency of their agreement.

ERR (rus) · 12 Sept, 21:44

Latvia's anti-corruption bureau KNAB seeks covert operatives, offers €2,000 salary

Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has opened vacancies for covert operative staff, offering a pre-tax salary of 2,000 euros during the probationary period. The bureau shared the information with the LETA news agency.

Apollo.lv · 12 Sept, 20:47

Lāce sharply criticizes rivals in pre-election debate: talk of economic breakthrough is hypocritical

During a TV24 pre-election debate, Progressives' representative Agnese Lāce criticized political forces led by people with a background in defending narrow economic interests. She argued that talk of an economic breakthrough is hypocritical given past lost revenue for the state.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Sept, 20:46

Baltic record set in Riga: 226 corgis gather at charity walk

The fourth Royal Corgi Walk in Riga's Bastejkalns park drew 226 corgis, setting a new Baltic record and surpassing last year's count of 198 dogs. The event attracted large crowds, photographers and television coverage.

TVNET · 12 Sept, 20:45

Michal: Herem will not get special powers, only support for reforms

Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal said that defence minister candidate Martin Herem will not be given any special powers beyond those of his predecessors, only political backing for necessary reforms.

ERR (rus) · 12 Sept, 19:43

The "Stability!" party: from expulsion from Harmony to founding a new political force

The "Stability!" party was founded on 26 January 2021, during Covid-19 pandemic restrictions, by former Riga city council members Aleksejs Roslikovs and Valērijs Petrovs, who had been expelled from the Harmony party in 2019.

LSM (rus) · 12 Sept, 18:49

Estonia ranks fifth in EU for employment rate in second quarter

Estonia's employment rate for people aged 20 to 64 reached 81.9% in the second quarter, placing the country fifth in the European Union, while unemployment fell notably.

ERR (rus) · 12 Sept, 17:45

Entomologist explains why there are suddenly so many wasps and hornets

Many people have noticed unusually high activity of wasps and hornets at the end of summer, with insects even entering apartments on higher floors. An entomologist explains this is tied to colonies reaching their seasonal peak size.

LSM (rus) · 12 Sept, 16:48

Liepnieks: too early to predict voter turnout ahead of Saeima elections

Political commentator Jurģis Liepnieks says there is not yet enough data to predict voter turnout ahead of Latvia's October 3 parliamentary elections, since many voters remain undecided. He noted that some will only make their final choice inside the voting booth.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Sept, 16:43

About 200 gather at Freedom Monument for Ukrainian 'Thank You Day' to Latvia

Around 200 people gathered at the Freedom Monument in Riga on Saturday for a Ukrainian community initiative thanking Latvia for the refuge and support it has provided. The event, called 'Thank You Day to the Latvian people,' was observed by the LETA news agency.

TVNET · 12 Sept, 14:50

Tallinn hides 50 kilometers of walkable underground pipes

Tallinna Vesi reveals the Estonian capital sits atop 3,000 kilometers of pipelines, 50 of which are large enough to walk through, as construction continues at the Hipodroom intersection.

ERR News · 12 Sept, 14:49

Ryanair to announce future plans for operations in Latvia

Low-cost airline Ryanair will hold a press conference in Riga on September 17 to reveal its future plans for operating in Latvia.

Jauns.lv · 12 Sept, 14:48

A young man from Daugavpils recalls how he ended up in prostitution at age 15

A young man from Daugavpils, identified as Andrejs, says that at just 15 years old he began providing paid sexual services to adults, encountering roughly 50 clients during that time.

Apollo.lv · 12 Sept, 13:50

Orienteering expert explains simple method for getting unlost in the forest

Latvian Orienteering Federation president Juris Žilko has shared advice on what to do if you get lost in the forest. He recommends moving from smaller paths toward larger roads until help can be found.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Sept, 13:49

Bikers gather near Kaunas mosque during prayers, pig's head displayed

On September 11, around a hundred motorcyclists gathered near a mosque in Kaunas during Friday prayers, revving engines and playing loud music, while one participant held up a pig's head facing the worshippers. The incident angered the Muslim community, though no serious clashes were reported.

Jauns.lv · 12 Sept, 13:43

LSM columnist Aleksejs Zaričanskis: after the celebrations, time to discuss the price of independence

LSM's Russian-language portal has published an opinion piece by Aleksejs Zaričanskis reflecting on what independence means, 35 years on, for citizens and for the state, and on the price paid for it. The piece was published on 12 September 2026 in the outlet's opinion section.

LSM (rus) · 12 Sept, 12:51

Bauska Museum exhibits “Bauska Summer 2026” plein-air show through October 4

Bauska Museum is showing an exhibition of works from this year's international art plein-air until October 4. The show opened on August 29.

Jauns.lv · 12 Sept, 12:48

Kiili: Estonia needs a strong PM, not a defence minister with special powers

Riigikogu MP Meelis Kiili has voiced concern over the planned appointment of Martin Herem as defence minister with expanded powers, arguing Estonia needs a strong prime minister instead. He does not rule out backing a no-confidence vote against PM Kristen Michal.

ERR (rus) · 12 Sept, 12:43

Šlesers rules out coalition with New Unity, Progressives and Sovereign Power

LPV leader Ainārs Šlesers says his party will not form a post-election coalition with New Unity, the Progressives or Sovereign Power. He has also ruled out cooperation with Jūlija Stepaņenko's political force.

Delfi · 12 Sept, 11:49

National Alliance seeks to limit short-cycle study programs as a route to residency

Latvia's National Alliance (NA) has submitted amendments to the Immigration Law that would stop issuing temporary residence permits to foreigners studying in short-cycle professional higher education programs, aiming to curb the use of education exports for economic migration.

TVNET · 12 Sept, 11:48

Lithuania investigates biker provocation near mosque in Kaunas

Lithuanian police have opened administrative proceedings after a group of bikers tried to disrupt a Muslim community prayer gathering at a mosque in Kaunas, where a pig's head was also reportedly left nearby.

Pravda — ziņas · 12 Sept, 11:47

Buyer in Liepāja disappointed to find "Herring in Fur Coat" salad without any herring

A customer in Liepāja found no herring at all in a store-bought "Herring in Fur Coat" salad from the "Mego" grocery store. The incident sparked numerous reactions on social media, with others sharing similar experiences.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Sept, 11:45

Herem: fear of mistakes must not push Estonia into inaction on aid to Ukraine

Estonian defence minister candidate Martin Herem said in an interview that fast weapons procurement carries an unavoidable risk of errors, but fear of failure should not stop Estonia from helping Ukraine.

ERR (rus) · 12 Sept, 10:48

Video of dog being beaten in Riga sparks outrage; owner apologizes

After a video showed a man in Riga's Klijānu Street choking and forcing a dog to the ground, police launched an inquiry while the dog's owner publicly apologized, denying he condones violence.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Sept, 10:45

Man detained in Tallinn on suspicion of breaking into apartment and stealing from it

Police in Tallinn have detained a 36-year-old man suspected of breaking into an apartment in the Kalamaja district and stealing an item in front of the victim. A court has ordered him held in custody for two months at the prosecutor's request.

ERR (rus) · 12 Sept, 09:46

PISA study lead in Latvia: 'Stop blaming teachers' for declining results

Newly published international PISA study data show that the performance of 15-year-old students in Latvia in reading, mathematics and science has dropped sharply, reaching its lowest level this century. The study's lead researcher in Latvia is urging people not to place sole blame on teachers.

LSM · 12 Sept, 09:46

Ryanair to hold press conference on 17 September about its operations in Latvia

Irish low-cost carrier Ryanair will hold a press conference on 17 September to present information about its operations in Latvia, with a focus on flights from Riga.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Sept, 09:45

Estonia to Soon Receive Part of Its Ordered HIMARS Rockets

Estonia expects to receive the first batch of HIMARS rockets ordered from the US soon, though longer-range ATACMS missiles remain on hold due to a US decision tied to the war with Iran.

Ukrainska Pravda · 12 Sept, 09:44

Four recipes for different tastes: from meat-filled pancakes to fruit pastille

A culinary article presents four different recipes ranging from hearty mains to lighter salads and a sweet treat. The author shares step-by-step preparation methods and practical tips.

Staburags · 12 Sept, 09:43

Latvian government again changes school assessment rules mid-year

Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers has approved new amendments to education standards and the exam schedule, introducing changes after the school year had already begun. Students will gain more freedom to improve summative grades, while upper-secondary students are no longer required to sit an advanced-level exam.

Staburags · 12 Sept, 08:50

Valmiera runs hybrid-threat drill as part of nationwide "Namejs 2026" exercise

Services in Valmiera rehearsed responding to a hybrid-type threat scenario in the city as part of the wider "Namejs 2026" military exercise, which is taking place across Latvia from September 2 to October 8.

Latvijas Avīze · 12 Sept, 08:49

Saturday in Ogre to bring mostly sunny weather with chance of rain

Ogre will see a mix of sun and clouds on Saturday with temperatures up to +18 degrees, and brief rain possible in the evening. The rest of Latvia can expect similar conditions with light wind.

OgreNet · 12 Sept, 08:48

Saeima candidate Rijkuris declines to answer local Bauska news outlet's questions

National Alliance candidate Dainis Rijkuris has told local outlet 'Bauskas Dzīve' he will not answer its questions about his Saeima candidacy. He works for the Bauska municipality and is also known online as content creator 'True Latvian'.

Bauskas Dzīve · 12 Sept, 08:46