Latvia & nearby
Bokāne posts emotional anniversary message to jailed Endziņš
Sindija Bokāne, a figure in Latvian public life, has posted a message on social media to her partner Niks Endziņš on the first anniversary of their relationship. Endziņš is currently in custody following a sentence in a drug-related criminal case.
Latvijas Avīze · 31 Oct, 19:10
"Aktuaalne Kaamera+" to Cover Herem's Plan, C1 Exam in Narva and Ticket Validation in Tallinn
A new episode of the analytical programme "Aktuaalne Kaamera+" airs on ETV+ on Sunday, 1 November. It will cover Martin Herem's revised defence plan, the Estonian C1 exam in Narva and problems with fare validation in Tallinn public transport.
ERR (rus) · 31 Oct, 18:10
Latvia's defence procurement centre signs framework deal with Canada's Galvion for NAF helmets
Latvia's State Defence Logistics and Procurement Centre will buy tactical helmet systems from Canadian manufacturer Galvion under a five-year deal. The helmets are intended for the National Armed Forces.
Apollo.lv · 31 Oct, 18:10
November in Latvia to begin with cloudy, moderately mild weather
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts cloudy and moderately mild weather across Latvia on the first day of November. Daytime temperatures will reach +6 to +10 degrees Celsius.
NRA · 31 Oct, 17:10
Three of ten sheep grazed by Viljandi Castle ruins in Estonia have died
Ten sheep grazed this summer near the ruins of Viljandi Castle in Estonia, and three of them died for unknown reasons. Their owner wants to bring sheep next summer too, but is considering how to keep them safe.
ERR (rus) · 31 Oct, 17:10
Fox at Zaķusala TV Tower Befriends a Robot Dog
A local fox living at the Riga radio and television tower in Zaķusala met a modern robot dog and played with it for a while. The Latvian State Radio and Television Centre says the technology does not disturb the animals.
Latvijas Avīze · 31 Oct, 17:09
Police search for 21-year-old man who left Riga for Lithuania and has not returned
Latvia's State Police are looking for Rasmuss Marks Ivanovs, born in 2005, who left Riga for Lithuania on 28 October and has not come back. Police are asking anyone with information about his whereabouts to get in touch.
Delfi · 31 Oct, 16:10
Estonia's average exchange electricity price rises to 11.9 cents per kWh for the week
On the Nord Pool exchange, the average electricity price in the Estonian price zone between 26 October and 1 November was 11.9 cents per kilowatt-hour, 70% more than a week earlier. Prices were higher in Latvia and Lithuania and lower in Finland.
ERR (rus) · 31 Oct, 16:10
Estonian PM: I will not stay silent about Russia
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal says he will not soften his rhetoric on Russia after reports that U.S. officials asked the Baltic states to do so. He says no such request has reached him directly.
ERR News · 31 Oct, 15:11
Ingmārs Līdaka, Not Re-elected to the Saeima, Reveals Future Plans
Outgoing Saeima deputy Ingmārs Līdaka, who was not elected to parliament, does not yet know what he will do next. He does not rule out writing a book and doing educational work.
Apollo.lv · 31 Oct, 15:11
Estonia Sees Mass Arrival of Nutcrackers
Far more nutcrackers, birds native to Siberia, are being seen in Estonia this year than usual. A nature school teacher calls it an invasion and links it to a food shortage.
ERR (rus) · 31 Oct, 15:10
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Līdaka Says He May Write a Book and Do Educational Work After Leaving the Saeima
Ingmārs Līdaka, a member of Latvia's parliament from the United List, cannot yet say what he will do after his parliamentary work ends. He does not rule out writing a book he has begun and doing educational work.
TVNET · 31 Oct, 15:09
Latvia's tax office requires two applications to transfer parent's medical expense balance
Latvia's State Revenue Service does not automatically move a pensioner's unused deductible medical expenses to a child's tax return. Both people must submit applications, and no change to the procedure is planned.
Latvijas Avīze · 31 Oct, 15:08
Estonian police identify youths who left e-scooters on a highway
Estonian police have identified three young men who deliberately left electric scooters on a 70 km/h road near Keila. The scooters' owner, Hoog Mobility, has temporarily suspended operations in the area.
ERR News · 31 Oct, 14:12
Industrial building on fire in Lüganuse, northeastern Estonia
A fire broke out in a stone industrial building in the Estonian settlement of Lüganuse on 31 October. No one was hurt, and rescuers are working to keep the flames away from nearby homes.
ERR (rus) · 31 Oct, 14:10
Foundations of 13th-Century Church Found Beneath St. Peter's in Riga
During reconstruction of St. Peter's Church in Riga, archaeologists have uncovered foundations and wall fragments of the original 13th-century building beneath the current altar area. The find means the church's construction history may need to be reassessed.
BNN · 31 Oct, 13:08
First Week of Latvian Coalition Talks: Smiltēns Wants Posts Decided Last
The first week of government-formation talks led by prime minister nominee Andris Kulbergs ended without a clear coalition line-up. Edvards Smiltēns says tough decisions must come first, while New Unity objects to cutting party funding.
BNN · 31 Oct, 12:11
State pays maintenance to nearly one in ten children in Latvia, Finland and Sweden
In Latvia, Finland and Sweden, the state pays child maintenance in place of parents for slightly under 10% of minors. The head of Latvia's Maintenance Guarantee Fund says the scale of the problem is similar despite differing wealth levels.
NRA · 31 Oct, 12:10
Parents call for a coordinated support system in child support fund discussions
The Latvian Children's Support Fund held five regional discussions on the problems faced by families raising children with functional disorders and disabilities. Participants pointed to a shortage of specialists, long waiting lists and a complicated flow of information.
Ziemeļlatvija · 31 Oct, 12:09
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Latvia adds Ksenia Sobchak and her husband to its list of undesirable persons
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has decided to place Russian TV and internet host Ksenia Sobchak and her husband, director Konstantin Bogomolov, on Latvia's list of undesirable persons.
Apollo.lv · 31 Oct, 12:09
Deleting a Deceased Person's Social Media Accounts Must Be Requested From Platforms, Not the Data Inspectorate
Latvia's Data State Inspectorate says the GDPR does not cover the data of deceased people, so account deletion requests must go to the social network itself. Facebook, Instagram and TikTok each have their own procedure.
Latvijas Avīze · 31 Oct, 11:10
Police identify who left e-scooters on a road near Keila
Estonian police have identified three young men who deliberately left electric scooters on a roadway near Keila. Misdemeanour proceedings have been opened.
ERR (rus) · 31 Oct, 11:10
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12 Drunk Drivers Caught in Latvia on Friday, Five Face Car Confiscation
Latvia's State Police detained 12 drivers for driving under the influence of alcohol on Friday. Five of them are set to have their vehicles confiscated.
Apollo.lv · 31 Oct, 11:10
Garlic, Salt and a Rowan Branch: Folk Ways to Protect the Home During Latvia's Veļu Laiks
Experts at the housing developer Bonava Latvija have compiled folk-belief-based tips for protecting the home during veļu laiks, the traditional season of the dead. They cover garlic, salt, rowan branches and honouring ancestors.
Ziemeļlatvija · 31 Oct, 11:09
Burning wiring in Riga apartment block forces seven residents to evacuate
On Friday, 30 October, electrical wiring caught fire in the stairwell of a nine-storey residential building on Salnas Street in Riga, and seven people left the building. The State Fire and Rescue Service also responded to a house fire in Madona municipality the same day.
Delfi · 31 Oct, 10:11
Latvia declares agricultural emergency as Madona farmers battle wet fields and costly inputs
A state of emergency in agriculture is in force across Latvia from 29 September 2026 to 10 January 2027. Guntis Žīlde, head of the Rural Support Service's Central Latvia regional office, explains how bad weather and high input prices are affecting farms in Madona municipality.
Stars (Madona) · 31 Oct, 10:11
Teenager in Smiltene Municipality Sets Neighbours' Sheds on Fire, Killing Rabbits
A 16-year-old set fire to a neighbour's woodshed in Latvia's Smiltene Municipality last Saturday evening while heavily intoxicated, killing the rabbits inside. An hour later he reportedly torched a second shed.
Jauns.lv · 31 Oct, 10:11
Estonia's Largest Historic Motor-Sailing Vessel Alar Faces Collapse Without Repairs
The Hiiumaa municipality urgently needs funds to save the 90-year-old motor-sailing vessel Alar. Digital measurements suggest it may not survive more than three more winters without action.
ERR (rus) · 31 Oct, 10:10
Horoscope through 4 November: what the stars promise for work, money and relationships
The regional publication Ziemeļlatvija has released horoscope forecasts for all zodiac signs through 4 November. They cover work, finances and personal relationships.
Ziemeļlatvija · 31 Oct, 10:10
Two young boys admit to vandalizing over 100 graves on Saaremaa island
Two boys aged eight and 10 are responsible for damaging more than 100 graves at Kihelkonna Cemetery on Estonia's island of Saaremaa, according to local newspaper Saarte Hääl. Prosecutors, who are running a criminal investigation, say both boys have been questioned.
ERR News · 31 Oct, 10:08
Holocaust memorial in Vecsaule forest is crumbling, and no one owns it
A Holocaust memorial in the Vecsaule forest in Bauska municipality needs restoration costing about 90,000 euros, but its owner has not been established. The local authority is seeking a solution with the Israeli embassy.
Bauskas Dzīve · 31 Oct, 10:08
Ogre orienteers make a successful start at Baltic Junior Cup in Sweden
Young orienteers from Ogre took part in the Baltic Junior Cup in orienteering in Sweden on 23–25 October. Latvia's team won the overall standings, while Elīza Eisaka and Arturs Jānis Krastiņš earned podium places in the long distance.
OgreNet · 31 Oct, 09:11
Estonian President Puts Forward Oliver Kask as Chancellor of Justice
Estonian President Ülle Madise has asked parliament to appoint Supreme Court Justice Oliver Kask as the country's next chancellor of justice. Madise held the post herself until she became president earlier this month.
ERR News · 31 Oct, 09:10
Halloween Recipe: Milk Chocolate Cookies with Marshmallow Spider Webs
Pastry maker Anna Panna and the confectionery brand Laima have shared a simple Halloween recipe for chocolate cookies topped with marshmallow spider webs.
Ziemeļlatvija · 31 Oct, 09:09
Fog expected in many parts of Latvia on Saturday, light rain possible in places
On Saturday, 31 October, skies over Latvia will be mostly cloudy, with fog forming in many places in the morning. Forecasters say brief rain is possible in Kurzeme, Zemgale and Riga.
Latvijas Avīze · 31 Oct, 09:09
Bear spotted crossing Ozolu road in Bebri parish
A video shows a bear running across a gravel road in Bebri parish, Latvia. The animal was seen by the husband of local resident Ilona Dunkule.
Staburags · 31 Oct, 09:08