Latvia & nearby

Public tours to begin at former closed Jelgava prison
The first public tour of the former closed Jelgava prison takes place today, with regular weekly tours planned going forward. Due to strong interest, Saturday tours may be added starting in October.
Bauskas Dzīve · 3 Sept, 05:25

25 home cafés to open across Ogre municipality this autumn
Residents of Ogre municipality will open 25 home cafés this autumn, offering a variety of seasonal dishes. The cafés will be spread across several towns and villages in the region.
OgreNet · 3 Sept, 04:32
/nginx/o/2026/09/01/17888232t1h82d4.jpg)
Why mushroom picking doesn't end with a full basket — the path from forest to plate takes care
Mushroom picking remains a popular outdoor pastime, but the journey from forest to a tasty meal is not as simple as it may seem.
TVNET · 3 Sept, 04:28

Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur announces resignation
Estonian Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur announced his resignation after the State Audit Office raised serious concerns about the Defence Forces and the Estonian Centre for Defence Investment (RKIK). His resignation still requires approval from the Riigikogu.
ERR (rus) · 3 Sept, 03:32

Liepāja port continues loading Latvian-grown grain for export
Liepāja Bulk Terminal has signed year-long contracts with Latvia's leading grain exporters, and the port is already loading new-harvest wheat and other grain onto ships bound for Abu Dhabi and Nigeria.
irLiepāja · 3 Sept, 03:31

National Alliance to picket outside Saeima in support of Interior Minister Dombrava
On Thursday, the National Alliance will hold a picket outside the Saeima building to support Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava, as several opposition parties push for his resignation.
Jauns.lv · 3 Sept, 03:29

School network reorganization reshapes families' daily routines this year
For many Latvian families, this September 1 began differently as school network reorganization forced children to change schools or classes. One such family is Grieta's household, where her son had to leave his school and classmates after six years there.
Delfi · 3 Sept, 01:32

Estonian defence minister to resign amid scandal over Ukraine shell procurement
Estonia's Defence Minister Hanno Pevkur has announced plans to resign following criticism from the National Audit Office over defence procurement, including a deal for artillery shells meant for Ukraine. The scandal involves a 70-million-euro advance paid to Indian companies that had not previously delivered any ammunition.
Ukrainska Pravda · 3 Sept, 01:28

Ašeradens: New Unity will block a coalition with Latvia First
Prime ministerial candidate Arvils Ašeradens told the Ir magazine that his party, New Unity, will block any attempt to form a governing coalition with the Latvia First party after the upcoming election. He said the party is still fighting for the votes of undecided voters.
Žurnāls Ir · 3 Sept, 00:27

Three cars damaged in crash at Vienības and Ģimnastikas street intersection in Riga
Two cars collided at the intersection of Vienības gatve and Ģimnastikas iela in Riga on Wednesday, with the impact also striking a third parked vehicle. The intersection has seen several accidents in recent weeks.
Jauns.lv · 2 Sept, 23:27

Thieves cut hole in wall to break into Riga 'Maxima' store
On the night of August 31, burglars broke into a 'Maxima' store in Riga's Bieriņi district by cutting a hole through the wall to reach the warehouse. Police are investigating.
Jauns.lv · 2 Sept, 22:31
/nginx/o/2026/09/02/17892600t1ha401.jpg)
Unidentified drone found off Finland's coast near Porvoo
An unidentified drone has been found on Finland's coast near Porvoo, Defence Minister Antti Häkkänen announced on Wednesday. Police and border guard are investigating the incident.
TVNET · 2 Sept, 22:30

Estonia's defense minister resigns over defense procurement scandal
Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur announced his resignation following National Audit Office criticism of questionable ammunition procurement deals. It emerged that Estonia prepaid €70 million to Indian companies with no prior shell-selling history for artillery shells intended for Ukraine.
ERR News · 2 Sept, 22:28
/nginx/o/2026/09/02/17892607t1h0bda.jpg)
Latvian PM orders probe into origin of transit grain at country's ports
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has ordered a check into the origin of grain transiting through Latvian ports, his communications adviser Elīna Šverna announced.
Apollo.lv · 2 Sept, 22:27

Man arrested in Jelgava over 20 years of alleged child sexual abuse
Police in Jelgava have arrested a man born in 1967 suspected of sexually abusing several underage girls, including his own daughters, between 1994 and 2015. The case has been handed to prosecutors this month to begin criminal prosecution.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Sept, 22:26

Former Latvian Television journalist Jānis Dimants has died
Jānis Dimants, a long-standing Latvian Television journalist associated with the programme Panorāma, died on the night of 2 September at the age of 89. He had worked in the news editorial office and later the LTV News Service for more than 40 years.
LSM (rus) · 2 Sept, 21:28

Live broadcast: Politicians and experts to assess Kulbergs government's first 100 days
On September 2, a live LSM discussion will bring together the prime minister, ministers, opposition leaders and experts to assess the first 100 days of Andris Kulbergs' government.
LSM · 2 Sept, 21:27

LSM podcast brings together representatives of seven parties to discuss 15th Saeima election pledges
An LSM podcast episode released on August 26 featured representatives of seven political parties discussing their pre-election proposals for the 15th Saeima. It is the second installment in a series of discussions among political leaders.
LSM · 2 Sept, 19:30

Estonia sees sharp rise in smuggled cigarettes entering from Latvia
Estonian customs data show a steep increase in seized smuggled cigarettes in recent years, with most shipments crossing by road from Latvia. In the first eight months of this year alone, seizures already topped 37 million cigarettes.
Jauns.lv · 2 Sept, 19:27

Son of man shot dead in Pļavnieki testifies about Bunkus murder case
The son of Genādijs Vaļagins, who was later shot dead in Pļavnieki, testified in court that his father told him he knew nothing about the murder of Mārtiņš Bunkus.
Delfi · 2 Sept, 19:25

Bogustovs: Latvia ranks last among Erasmus students' destination choices
TV24 journalist Ansis Bogustovs said on the show “Preses klubs” that Latvia ranks last among the destinations European Erasmus students want to study in. He argued the country should focus on unique study programmes rather than compete with popular destinations.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Sept, 19:25

How to keep houseplants healthy through the cold season
A houseplant specialist explains why plants wither in winter and offers practical tips for keeping greenery healthy indoors during colder months.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Sept, 18:30
/nginx/o/2026/07/11/17776465t1h68c0.jpg)
Charity festival to support animal shelter to take place Saturday
On Saturday, September 5, a charity festival will take place where musicians and bands will perform to raise donations for the animals at the "Ulubele" shelter.
Apollo.lv · 2 Sept, 18:30

Radio 4's Narva studio marks 30th anniversary
Estonia's Russian-language Radio 4 celebrated the 30th anniversary of its Narva studio on September 2, with hosts broadcasting live from Narva and talking with local residents.
ERR (rus) · 2 Sept, 18:29

Alvis Hermanis represents "Mēs mainām noteikumus" party in pre-election interview
On August 31, the party "Mēs mainām noteikumus" (We Change the Rules) was represented in a pre-election interview series by its candidate for Prime Minister, Alvis Hermanis, ahead of the 15th Saeima elections.
LSM · 2 Sept, 18:24

Who is Estonia's new president Ülle Madise?
On September 2, 2026, Estonia's parliament elected constitutional law expert Ülle Madise as the country's new president, after she spent 11 years as chancellor of justice. She is known for defending fundamental rights and rule of law.
ERR News · 2 Sept, 17:31

Residents of Ēdole spruce up their village bus stop themselves
An initiative by residents of Ēdole, backed by municipal support, has led to the renovation of the village center bus stop, replacing worn concrete flower boxes with a wooden trellis for climbing plants and repainting the stop's walls.
Jauns.lv · 2 Sept, 17:25
/nginx/o/2026/09/02/17892127t1h6144.jpg)
Plakans: Election of NEPLP chair and deputy chair was undemocratic
NEPLP council member Andis Plakans claims that chairwoman Aurēlija Ieva Druviete and her deputy Ieva Kalderauska secured each other's election in early-June voting through an undemocratic arrangement.
Apollo.lv · 2 Sept, 16:32

Man arrested in Jelgava for sexually abusing five minors
A man born in 1967 has been arrested in Jelgava on suspicion of sexually abusing five minors between 1994 and 2015. State Police have identified at least 18 separate episodes of criminal activity.
LSM (rus) · 2 Sept, 15:31

Estonia's new president Madise: how the Riigikogu vote unfolded
Estonia's parliament elected Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise as the country's new president already in the first round of voting. The result followed months of uncertainty over potential candidates.
ERR (rus) · 2 Sept, 15:29
/nginx/o/2026/09/02/17891932t1hdc19.jpg)
NEPLP board member: leadership election process was undemocratic
NEPLP board member Andis Plakans claims that council chairwoman Aurēlija Ieva Druviete and her deputy Ieva Kalderauska arranged in early June to secure each other's election to their posts, calling the process undemocratic. The claim has sparked internal dispute within the media regulator.
TVNET · 2 Sept, 15:28

Estonian court hands mostly suspended sentences in conscription-evasion scheme
Estonia's Harju District Court convicted the head of Armylaw OÜ, an employee and the company itself of fraud and providing false information to the Defense Resources Agency, imposing largely suspended sentences after a scheme that promised clients a legal way to dodge military service.
ERR News · 2 Sept, 15:25

Jelgava man to be prosecuted over 20 years of sexual abuse against minors
State Police have completed an investigation into a man born in 1967 from Jelgava, suspected of 18 episodes of sexual abuse against minors between 1994 and 2015. The case has been forwarded to the prosecutor's office to initiate criminal prosecution.
Delfi · 2 Sept, 14:30
/nginx/o/2026/09/02/17891771t1h4901.jpg)
Riga Stradiņš University to open new €13.4 million sports and research complex
On September 9, Riga Stradiņš University will open a new sports, study and research complex at Cigoriņu iela 3 in Riga, valued at €13.4 million. The university announced the news itself.
TVNET · 2 Sept, 14:26

Estonia's parliament elects Chancellor of Justice Alar Karis' successor
Estonia's parliament on Wednesday elected Chancellor of Justice Ille Madise as the country's next president, running unopposed. She will replace outgoing President Alar Karis in October.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Sept, 14:26

KNAB requests charges against former VARAM state secretary over disclosure of restricted information
Latvia's anti-corruption bureau KNAB has asked prosecutors to launch criminal proceedings against Edvīns Balševics, former state secretary of the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development, over alleged disclosure of restricted-access information. Three possible instances are cited.
LSM (rus) · 2 Sept, 14:25