Latvia & nearby (24)

Aleksandra to Be the Most Common Name Day Name in Latvia Next Week

According to Latvia's Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs, Aleksandra is the most widespread name among those in the calendar for 2–8 November, with 5,489 bearers. The rarest is Dzīle, with just one.

Staburags · 1 Nov, 09:11

Delfi editor rounds up autumn's key stories, from election history to cybersecurity

Anita Sedliņa of the Latvian news portal Delfi has compiled the outlet's notable recent articles. Topics range from election history and the closure of the "Santa Barbara" store to a scientist's citizenship, basketball player Kristaps Porziņģis's health and cybersecurity.

Delfi · 1 Nov, 09:10

Political Scientists: Uncertainty Surrounds Formation of Latvia's New Government, Minority Cabinet Seen as Short-Lived

Political scientists Iveta Kazoka and Oskars Skudra say it is still unclear what form Latvia's next government will take. They do not expect a minority government backed by Ainars Slesers' party to succeed in the long run.

Jauns.lv · 1 Nov, 09:10

Velšs sharply criticises how citizenship decision was assessed

Retired general and security expert Artis Velšs sharply criticised, on TV24, how a citizenship matter was assessed in Latvia. He pointed to a lack of accountability and further damage to trust in lawmaking.

NRA · 1 Nov, 09:10

Evangelical Theologians' Initiative Releases Documentary Series on Modern Roman Catholicism

The Reformanda Initiative, a group of evangelical theologians, has produced a six-episode documentary series on the contemporary practice of the Roman Catholic Church. Its aim is to encourage viewers to critically assess idealized perceptions of that church.

OgreNet · 1 Nov, 09:09

How to Help a Child Without Parental Care: Foster Care, Adoption, Guest Families and Guardianship

The Latvian SOS Children's Villages Association explains the differences between four ways a family can help a child who cannot grow up with their biological parents. It encourages interested people to start by talking to specialists.

Ziemeļlatvija · 1 Nov, 09:09

Couple who met online now run a farmstead in Balvi region and raise their son

Andris Ločmelis returned to his family home in the Balvi region ten years ago and built a leather goods brand. He is now raising a son with his wife Dzintra, an IT specialist.

LSM · 1 Nov, 09:09

Latvia plans €0.50 deposit on disposable e-cigarettes

Latvia plans to set a €0.50 deposit on e-cigarettes with non-rechargeable batteries. The money can be reclaimed by returning the used device to a collection machine.

Bauskas Dzīve · 1 Nov, 09:08

Latvian consumer association develops CollAct digital tool for collective claims

The Latvian Consumer Interests Protection Association, with support from the European consumer organisation BEUC, has built CollAct, a tool that helps process large numbers of consumer applications in collective claims. It can already handle basic functions, but further improvements are still needed.

Bauskas Dzīve · 1 Nov, 08:11

Kuldīga seminar reviews lessons from August storm and war in Ukraine for municipalities

A seminar in Kuldīga, Latvia, brought together officials and experts to discuss municipal resilience in crises. Speakers stressed clear responsibilities, communication, resilience points and crisis-time management structures.

Kurzemnieks · 1 Nov, 08:11

From Riga to Ērgļi: Māris Olte restores an old railway station and builds nature tourism

Biologist and former TV presenter Māris Olte moved with his family from Riga to his native Ērgļi in Vidzeme 16 years ago. In the former railway station building he has created a eatery and offers hikes and guided tours.

Diena · 1 Nov, 08:10

Lithuania documents its Jewish cemeteries, with help from German soldiers

The non-profit MACEVA has been cataloguing pre-war Jewish cemeteries in Lithuania since 2011. This year it worked at four sites with volunteers and German army soldiers, including in Merkinė.

LRT English · 1 Nov, 08:10

Basketball Club Ogre Beats Keila Basket 101-77 for Third Win

Ogre basketball team beat Estonia's Keila Basket 101-77 at home for its third win. Drake Dobbs was top scorer with 26 points.

OgreNet · 1 Nov, 08:09

Building owners must report unused buildings and resumed use in BIS

From 1 November, owners of certain buildings in Latvia must notify the Building Information System when a building is not actually in use or when its use resumes. The State Building Control Bureau announced the change.

TVNET · 1 Nov, 08:09

Souvenir shop owners say a local firm was pushed out of Riga Airport after dispute with commercial space operator

SIA Souvenirs I&N, which sold Latvian-made goods at Riga Airport from 2009, went insolvent after a lease dispute with the commercial space operator. Latvia's Competition Council once found restrictive contract terms but did not open a case because they were corrected.

Latvijas Avīze · 1 Nov, 07:11

CollAct Digital Tool Helps Consumer Groups Bring Collective Claims

The Latvian Consumer Interest Protection Association has developed CollAct, a digital tool that eases the handling of large numbers of consumer applications in collective claims. It is already usable in Latvia, though it still needs improvements, and it is being adapted for Slovakia.

Latgales Laiks · 1 Nov, 07:09

Band “Jumprava” to Play Its First Out-of-Riga Show of Its New Programme in Valka

Latvian pop-rock band “Jumprava” will perform the semi-acoustic programme “Arheoloģija” (“Archaeology”) at the Valka Municipality Cultural Centre on 14 November. It will be the band’s first concert with this programme outside Riga.

Ziemeļlatvija · 1 Nov, 07:09

Latvia raises housing benefit for low-income residents for the heating season

From 1 November to 30 April 2027, higher coefficients for calculating housing benefit take effect in Latvia. The changes also cover benefits already granted and are estimated to cost the state budget 8.7 million euros.

Bauskas Dzīve · 1 Nov, 07:09

Students to be offered overnight stay at Latvian National Library for the first time

The National Library of Latvia in Riga will hold “Students’ Night at the LNB” on 13–14 November. For the first time, students will also be able to spend the night in the library.

Latvijas Avīze · 1 Nov, 06:11

State Employment Agency to Hold Online Event to Attract Highly Qualified Specialists

Latvia's State Employment Agency will hold a free online event, "Work and Career in Latvia", on 26 November. Both employers and job seekers are invited to take part.

Apollo.lv · 1 Nov, 05:11

Sobchak Demands Explanation from Latvian Foreign Minister Over Entry Ban

Russian TV host Ksenia Sobchak has criticised Latvia's decision to bar her and her partner, theatre director Konstantin Bogomolov, from entering the country. Foreign Minister Baiba Braže placed both on Latvia's list of undesirable persons.

Latvijas Avīze · 1 Nov, 04:12

Charities raise doubts over private fundraiser for child's treatment

A social media user's appeal for donations to pay for a child's treatment has worried charity organisations. Some question the real purpose of the donations, since people were asked to send money to a private bank account.

LSM (rus) · 1 Nov, 03:12

Tallinn court postpones ruling on Pruunsild's claim against the state for the ninth time

The Tallinn Administrative Court has delayed for the ninth time its ruling on a claim against the Estonian state by businessman Parvel Pruunsild and politician Priit Humal. New dates will be announced later.

ERR (rus) · 1 Nov, 03:11

Getliņi Landfill Has Space for About Eight More Years: Where Will Riga's Waste Go?

The Getliņi landfill, which takes waste from Riga and surrounding municipalities, has five hectares left, enough for roughly eight years. Expanding the site or building a waste-to-energy plant is under consideration, but both options raise concerns.

NRA · 1 Nov, 03:11

Melnis and Bergmanis: NATO remains united, Baltic states not sidelined

Minister Raivis Melnis and Saeima committee chair Raimonds Bergmanis say that the Baltic states not being invited to a separate meeting of NATO members in Poland does not signal a split in the alliance. They stress that cooperation among allies continues.

Latvijas Avīze · 1 Nov, 03:11

Supreme Court Senate to rule on tenant's eviction from apartment block stroller room

The Senate of Latvia's Supreme Court is examining a dispute over the rental of a shared space, a stroller room, in an apartment building. Such cases often become long-running conflicts when a tenant does not vacate after the lease is terminated.

Apollo.lv · 1 Nov, 02:11

Meņģelsone urges a second look at minimum wage increase and its budget impact

Latvian lawmaker Līga Meņģelsone says raising the minimum wage could add pressure on state and municipal budgets and disturb pay relations across sectors. She calls for a careful reassessment and suggests the decision could be left to the next government.

Latvijas Avīze · 1 Nov, 01:09

Survey: Nearly a third of Latvians never use reflectors or use them only occasionally

An October survey by the insurer Balta shows that almost a third of Latvia's residents either never use reflectors on the street or use them only in certain situations.

Apollo.lv · 31 Oct, 23:10

Cloudy Sunday with clear spells expected in Estonia, up to +10 degrees

Estonian forecasters expect cloudy weather with clear spells on Sunday, 1 November. Air temperatures will range from -1 degrees at night to +10 degrees during the day.

ERR (rus) · 31 Oct, 22:09

Nearly 20,000 people died in Latvia in nine months, with more women than men

From 1 January to 4 October, 10,350 women died in Latvia, which is 1,158 or 12.6% more than the number of men. The data come from the Central Statistical Bureau.

Apollo.lv · 31 Oct, 22:08

Children in Latvia dress as Death, witches, spiders and devils for Halloween

Latvia marks Halloween, the eve of All Saints' Day, on 31 October. The custom grows more popular each year and is especially loved by children.

LSM · 31 Oct, 21:11

Housing Benefit Coefficients Raised for Heating Season, Widening Eligibility

From 1 November to 30 April, Latvia will apply higher coefficients when calculating the housing benefit for low-income households. Some people who previously missed out because of the income threshold will now be able to apply.

Jauns.lv · 31 Oct, 21:09

Charities voice concern over private fundraising for a baby's treatment

An appeal shared on social media asks for donations for the treatment of a ten-month-old child in the United States, raising questions about the transparency of the fundraising. The family is seeking about 200,000 US dollars, collected privately without charities.

Apollo.lv · 31 Oct, 21:08

Eastern Estonia still has no plan for inpatient psychiatric care after Ahtme Hospital closes

In Estonia's Ida-Viru County, it remains unclear how inpatient psychiatric care will be provided once Ahtme Hospital closes next spring. Only four psychiatrists remain there, and urgent cases are sent to other cities.

ERR (rus) · 31 Oct, 20:08