Latvia & nearby (14)

Journalist Jānis Geste returns to TV after health problems

Jānis Geste, a journalist at Latvian Television, has returned to the screen after a lengthy break. He told the magazine Jauns & Privāts that serious health problems had temporarily kept him from work.

Apollo.lv · 5 Nov, 12:13

Kulbergs to hold no public talks on forming new government this week

Prime minister candidate Andris Kulbergs of the United List will not hold public talks with parties on a new government this week. The first round ended Monday; a second round has not been publicly confirmed.

Diena · 5 Nov, 12:11

Kulbergs pauses public talks on forming new Latvian government

Prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs will hold no more public-format meetings on forming a government this week, his communications adviser said. The shape of the next coalition remains unclear, with several options open.

Jauns.lv · 5 Nov, 12:11

Bauska Highway Reconstruction: Residents Ask About Noise, the Cerauksts Avenue and Nature

An environmental impact assessment of the planned Bauska highway section reconstruction will model noise using traffic forecasts up to 2055. At a meeting, residents also asked about preserving the protected Cerauksts avenue and about natural values.

TVNET · 5 Nov, 12:06

Domestic violence costs Estonia more than a quarter of a billion euros a year

A report by Estonia's Praxis-style development monitoring body, the Development Monitoring Centre, estimates that intimate-partner and domestic violence costs Estonian society about €273 million a year. Most of the cost comes from harm to victims' health and economic losses.

ERR (rus) · 5 Nov, 12:05

Man detained in Daugavpils on suspicion of robbery in an apartment

State Police in Daugavpils detained a man born in 1978 on suspicion of a robbery in an apartment on 27 October. He has been remanded in custody, and the criminal case continues.

Jauns.lv · 5 Nov, 12:05

Three Ukrainians expelled from Lithuania before any actual damage was done, VSD says

Lithuania's State Security Department (VSD) said three Ukrainian citizens accused of carrying out tasks for foreign intelligence services have left the country. The decision to expel them was taken before the state suffered any actual damage.

LRT English · 5 Nov, 12:04

36 Kilograms of Drugs Found in Forests Near Riga; Five People Remanded in Custody

Latvian police detained six people in a drug trafficking case, including four Lithuanian citizens, and found about 36 kilograms of narcotics in forests. A court ordered five of them held in custody.

Diena · 5 Nov, 12:04

Third attempt to collect signatures for a referendum to dismiss Jelgava Municipality Council

A third signature drive has begun in Latvia to trigger a referendum on dismissing the Jelgava Municipality Council. The previous two attempts were backed by only 58 and four residents.

Bauskas Dzīve · 5 Nov, 12:04

Owner of Tallinn's City Plaza tower plans apartments in building LHV bank is leaving

Tallinn city officials have proposed revoking the detailed plan for the 23-story City Plaza office tower, and its future owner Endover is considering adding apartments. The main tenant, LHV bank, is moving to a new headquarters nearby.

ERR News · 5 Nov, 12:03

Valka reader: she and her husband eagerly await the paper every Tuesday and Friday

Zinaida Veise, a resident of Valka, says she has subscribed to the regional newspaper Ziemellatvija for a long time. It was where she read about a council building being put up for sale and two closed shops on Zvaigznu Street.

Ziemeļlatvija · 5 Nov, 12:03

Police in Daugavpils seek missing 16-year-old Alans

The State Police are searching for 16-year-old Alans, who left his home in Daugavpils on 15 October 2026 and has not been found since. Police ask anyone who knows where he may be to come forward.

Apollo.lv · 5 Nov, 11:36

Drunk driver sits in burning car near Saulkrasti, police open criminal case

On Wednesday, 4 November, the front wheel of a Toyota Avensis caught fire on a road near Saulkrasti, Latvia. Police found the driver had 2.41 per mille of alcohol in his breath and launched criminal proceedings.

Delfi · 5 Nov, 11:36

Expert: Cyberattacks can hit smart devices, even fridges and freezers

After incidents in Europe in which attackers remotely changed temperature settings in shop refrigeration systems, a Bite Latvija expert recommends five steps to secure connected devices. In a survey, 18% of Latvian companies said they had already faced cyberattacks.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 5 Nov, 11:35

Transport Ministry weighs cutting fare concessions for people with disabilities

Latvia's Ministry of Transport is considering replacing free public transport for people with disabilities with a 70% concession as one way to ease the sector's funding gap. Non-governmental groups strongly oppose the idea.

Jauns.lv · 5 Nov, 11:35

Nausėda explains absence from Adamkus centennial: Germany trip was set in advance

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda says he missed the celebration of former president Valdas Adamkus' 100th birthday because of a working visit to Germany scheduled in advance. Public activist Andrius Tapinas had criticised his absence.

LRT English · 5 Nov, 11:34

13 new councillors begin work in Riga City Council

On Thursday, 5 November, 13 new deputies started work in Riga City Council, replacing colleagues who moved to the Saeima. They have been assigned to standing committees.

Delfi · 5 Nov, 10:36

Riga City Council Welcomes 13 New Members, Including Baranņiks and Loginovs

At its 5 November session, the Riga City Council approved 13 new councillors who replace colleagues that gave up their council seats after being elected to the 15th Saeima. Some of them have previously been named in connection with scandals and legal proceedings.

Jauns.lv · 5 Nov, 10:36

Smiltene Municipality Opens 2026 “Smiltene Municipality Young Person” Contest

Smiltene Municipality is accepting nominations until 18 November for an award honouring young people aged 13 to 25 for personal growth and contribution to local development. Winners will be honoured on 5 December.

Ziemeļlatvija · 5 Nov, 10:36

Šlesers: Ideological Issues Should Be Settled in Saeima Votes, Not Government Talks

Ainārs Šlesers, head of the Latvia First (LPV) faction in the Saeima, says economics should be the priority in government-formation talks, with ideological disputes left to parliamentary votes. He offered prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs cooperation with LPV.

BNN · 5 Nov, 10:35

Nine organisations urge government to include fight against content piracy in its declaration

Nine Latvian industry organisations have asked political parties and ministries to put the fight against protected-content piracy into the government declaration. They cite annual economic losses of 54.2 million euros.

Diena · 5 Nov, 10:34

Līvāni Municipality and Lithuania Engage Youth in Traditional Culture Through CultureLINK Project

Līvāni Municipality in Latvia and the Tituvėnai Culture Centre in Lithuania are running an EU co-funded cross-border project to draw young people to folk dances, songs and folklore. The project's total budget is EUR 272,009.37.

Latgales Laiks · 5 Nov, 10:34

State Police Chief: Officer Shortage Felt Most Acutely in Riga

Armands Ruks, head of the Latvian State Police, said on TV24 that the shortage of officers is most noticeable in Riga. He urged politicians to keep unfilled posts during public administration reforms.

NRA · 5 Nov, 10:34

Six detained in Riga area over drug ring that hid narcotics in barrels buried in forests

On 21 October, Latvia's State Police detained six people in Riga, Jūrmala and the surrounding region on suspicion of drug trafficking and seized about 36 kg of drugs, mostly buried in barrels in forests. A court has ordered pre-trial detention for five of them.

Valsts policija · 5 Nov, 10:34

Lithuania ready to host additional US troops, defence minister says

Lithuanian Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said after meeting the US ambassador to NATO that the country is ready to host more American forces and provide the necessary infrastructure. The US presence in the country is again above 1,000 troops.

LRT English · 5 Nov, 09:36

Canadian-led NATO brigade deployed in full for the first time in eastern Latvia

The Canada-led NATO multinational brigade, which includes about 2,000 Canadian troops, has been deployed in full in eastern Latvia near Daugavpils for the first time. The soldiers are training, while local attitudes toward them vary.

Jauns.lv · 5 Nov, 09:36

Choosing a Vein Clinic: Why Doctors' Experience Matters

When treating vein conditions, a doctor's specialisation and ability to assess each patient individually matter alongside price and technology. The sponsored article offers tips on choosing a vein clinic.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 5 Nov, 09:35

Construction firm Merko's nine-month profit down 31% to €25.4 million

Construction company Merko Ehitus earned a net profit of €25.4 million in the first nine months of 2026, 31% less than a year earlier. Revenue reached €268 million.

ERR (rus) · 5 Nov, 09:34

Child Healthcare a Priority Only on Paper in Latvia, as Regions Lack Specialists

Child healthcare is officially a priority in Latvia, but in many regions specialists do not actually see children, according to a State Audit Office review and media reporting. A new early child development support system and digital check-ups are being prepared.

Staburags · 5 Nov, 09:34

Vidzeme rescue firefighters receive five call-outs in 24 hours

The Vidzeme regional office of the State Fire and Rescue Service received five calls over 24 hours, all for rescue work. Soot burned in chimneys of a residential building in Cēsis, and a chimney was damaged in Ķoņi parish.

Valmieras Ziņas · 5 Nov, 09:34

Estonia plans to let 14-year-olds organize protests and public meetings

Estonia's Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs is advancing a bill that would lower the minimum age for organizing public meetings and demonstrations from 18 to 14. Police would have to be notified in advance of any meeting organized by minors.

ERR News · 5 Nov, 09:34

Jelgava Municipality Seeks Civil Defence Volunteers

The Jelgava municipality in Latvia is forming a team of civil defence volunteers to help in crisis situations. Adult residents can apply, though the work is unpaid.

Zemgales Ziņas · 5 Nov, 08:36

Ministers announce they are giving up deputy pay, and the public asks whether both salaries are even allowed

Several ministers in Andra Kulberga's new government who are also members of the 15th Saeima have said they will temporarily forgo their MP salary. Social media users ask whether drawing both salaries is permitted at all, and the law restricts it.

NRA · 5 Nov, 08:36

Saeima Presidium asks ethics review of MP Pagors over Russian-language video

The Presidium of Latvia's parliament has asked its Mandate, Ethics and Submissions Committee to open an ethics case against MP Andrejs Pagors, who posted a Russian-language video from the chamber on the first working day. The Presidium considers it contrary to his solemn oath and the code of ethics.

BNN · 5 Nov, 08:34