Latvia & nearby
Lithuania's economy shrinks 1% in third quarter as economists warn of slowing growth
Lithuania's GDP fell 1% in the third quarter from the previous one, the steepest drop among the 15 EU countries that have reported data. Economists say the period of rapid expansion is ending.
LRT English · 30 Oct, 14:11
Halloween Shopping: Comparing Prices at Rimi, Maxima, Lidl and Pepco in Latvia
On 30 October, the Latvian news portal LA.LV compared the publicly listed Halloween offers at Rimi, Maxima, Lidl and Pepco. The biggest discount percentage does not always mean the lowest final price, so sweets are best compared by price per kilogram.
Latvijas Avīze · 30 Oct, 14:09
Estonian man detained in Riga over fuel thefts at 15 petrol stations using wrong licence plates
The State Police in Riga have detained a 1984-born Estonian citizen suspected of stealing fuel from 15 petrol stations in the capital. The thefts were carried out using licence plates that did not belong to the car.
Jauns.lv · 30 Oct, 14:08
NATO's European Commander: Russia Poses a Threat, but Situation Should Not Be Dramatised
NATO's Supreme Allied Commander Europe, General Alexus Grynkewich, said during a visit to Latvia that Russia poses a threat but the situation should not be dramatised, urging resilience and readiness. He stressed the importance of a data architecture for defending the alliance's eastern flank.
BNN · 30 Oct, 13:10
Estonian judges may take pay dispute to the European Commission
Estonian judges are considering appealing to the European Commission after the government extended limited salary indexation until 2031. Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi says everyone must make savings.
ERR News · 30 Oct, 13:10
Dry and calm weather expected in Latvia over the coming week
Forecasters say an anticyclone will bring little precipitation to Latvia, with rain more likely along the coast. From Tuesday winds will strengthen, and some roads may ice over at night.
NRA · 30 Oct, 13:09
Ukrainian Week in Latvia, 31 October to 8 November: Events and Invitations
The Russian-language portal of Latvia's public broadcaster LSM has published a roundup of events for the coming week aimed at Ukrainians in Latvia or likely to interest them.
LSM (rus) · 30 Oct, 13:09
Kohlrabi and Parsnips: Two Recipes for Everyday Meals
Latvian news site Jauns.lv, citing the magazine "100 Labi Padomi", has published two recipes based on kohlrabi and parsnips. These vegetables are often overlooked, though they can make simple and filling dishes.
Jauns.lv · 30 Oct, 12:10
Man in Estonia's Rae Parish hands over more than €40,000 to scammers
In Rae Parish, Estonia, scammers posing as police, bank and telecom employees took €40,750 from a local resident. Police opened a criminal case on 29 October.
ERR (rus) · 30 Oct, 12:09
Government austerity measures do not limit bonuses and cash awards in Latvian state institutions
Latvia's recent budget-saving decisions do not cover bonuses, cash awards or supplements. In previous years such payments have been considerably larger at the end of the year than earlier in it.
LSM · 30 Oct, 11:10
EU drone and counter-drone technology centre to be developed at Latvia's Sēlija military range
A European Union drone and counter-drone technology centre is planned at the Sēlija military training ground in Latvia, to develop and test new defence systems. It will be one of two such centres in Europe, according to European Commission representative Valdis Dombrovskis.
Jauns.lv · 30 Oct, 11:09
Poikāns on Divya Viswanathan case: focus should be on whether her statements match the facts
AI researcher Ilmārs Poikāns said on a TV24 programme that criticism of Indian citizen Divya Kanan Viswanathan is not linked to her origin. The State Police will assess her complaint about threats and harassment.
Latvijas Avīze · 30 Oct, 11:08
Valka Municipality Rejects Claims of Insufficient Budget Oversight
The Valka municipality categorically disagrees with the State Audit Office's conclusion that its financial difficulties stem from inadequate budget control. Council chairman Vents Armands Krauklis told the news agency LETA.
LSM (rus) · 30 Oct, 10:09
Estonia plans six-year renovation deadline for old non-residential buildings
Estonia's Climate Ministry plans to require owners of old non-residential buildings to renovate them within six years, transposing an EU directive. The real estate sector warns of problems in rural areas.
ERR News · 30 Oct, 10:08
Estonian Parliament Committee Probes €200 Million Armored Vehicle Purchase from Turkey
The Anti-Corruption Select Committee of Estonia's parliament, the Riigikogu, is examining why the state defense procurement agency bought armored vehicles from Turkey rather than from nearer suppliers. The defense minister says price and delivery speed were decisive.
ERR News · 30 Oct, 09:11
Narva-Jõesuu scraps participatory budget after nine rounds
The city council of Narva-Jõesuu in north-eastern Estonia voted unanimously on 28 October to abolish its participatory budget procedure. The city plans to expand support for non-profit activity instead.
ERR (rus) · 30 Oct, 09:10
Valka to close its Tourist Information Office as part of municipal savings
The Valka municipal council voted on 29 October to reorganise its Development, Projects and Tourism Department and close the Tourist Information Office on Seminara Street 1 in a month. The move is part of the municipality's financial stabilisation plan.
Ziemeļlatvija · 30 Oct, 09:10
Little precipitation expected in Latvia next week, but roads may ice over
Latvia faces cloudy weather with brief rain and fog in the coming days, with skies clearing more often from Tuesday. Icing is possible on some road sections at night and in the morning.
OgreNet · 30 Oct, 09:10
Dry and calm weather forecast for Latvia at the start of November
Forecasters expect an anticyclone to dominate Latvia's weather over the coming week, bringing little precipitation. A light frost is possible on some nights.
Jauns.lv · 30 Oct, 09:09
Apinis: Real Health Care Funding in Latvia May Shrink Even Without Budget Cuts
Former health minister Pēteris Apinis says real health care funding in Latvia could fall because of inflation and higher fuel and electricity prices. He says the next health minister will have to find solutions with limited resources.
Latvijas Avīze · 30 Oct, 09:09
Health Inspectorate Warns of Counterfeit “GC Tooth Mousse” Dental Product
Latvia's Health Inspectorate has received a Belgian authority's alert about a counterfeit medical device, “GC Tooth Mousse”, in which analysis found likely ingredients of industrial cleaning products. The fake has not been detected on the Latvian market so far.
Stars (Madona) · 30 Oct, 09:08
Little precipitation expected in Latvia over the coming week, with icing possible on roads
Forecasters say an anticyclone will bring very little precipitation to Latvia next week, with rain more likely on the coast. From Tuesday winds will strengthen, and some roads may ice over at night.
Bauskas Dzīve · 30 Oct, 09:08
Pentagon Urged Baltic States to Tone Down Rhetoric on Russia
Reuters reports that US Defense Department officials have in recent weeks asked several NATO members, including Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, to soften their language on the Russian threat. The Pentagon declined to comment.
Ukrainska Pravda · 30 Oct, 08:11
Riga to begin water network disinfection: drinking water should be boiled
From 2 to 5 November, Riga's water mains will be chlorinated. Rīgas ūdens advises using boiled water during this period and for 24 hours afterwards.
LSM (rus) · 30 Oct, 08:11
Latgalian-language planner “Giut breidi” for 2027 may be its last edition
The 2027 edition of the Latgalian-language planner “Giut breidi” is on pre-order, and its creators say it may be the final one. It is the only planner of its kind published in Latgalian.
LaKuga · 30 Oct, 08:11
Estonia to allow e-voting on smart devices in 2027 parliamentary election
Estonia's National Electoral Committee has agreed that voters can cast electronic ballots on smart devices in next year's Riigikogu election. Online voting has existed since 2005, but only on computers.
ERR News · 30 Oct, 08:11
Lithuania Debates 2027 Budget Deficit, Family Benefits and Universal Conscription
Lithuania's government draft budget for 2027 faces objections from both the opposition and members of the ruling coalition. Meanwhile, the country is in dispute with an international sports body over its ban on Russian and Belarusian athletes and is debating universal conscription.
LRT English · 30 Oct, 08:10
Third Medical Centre Building Under Construction in Kuldīga, Including an Operating Theatre
At Smilšu iela 18 in Kuldīga, the Medical Centre is expanding: the second building is due in March, while the third, a roughly 1,800 m2 structure with an operating theatre, is due at the end of next year. The centre's chief wants smoother cooperation with the local municipality.
Kurzemnieks · 30 Oct, 08:09
Jūrmala Invites Nominations for the Public Benefit Award
Jūrmala City Municipality is accepting nominations for the Public Benefit Award from 7 October to 7 November. The award recognises contributions to health and social protection and to strengthening civil society.
Jauns.lv · 30 Oct, 08:09
Estonia's economy grew 2.2% in the third quarter, flash estimate shows
Statistics Estonia's preliminary estimate shows the country's economy expanded 2.2% year on year in the third quarter of 2026. Compared with the second quarter, growth was 0.6%.
ERR (rus) · 30 Oct, 08:09
Latvia launches programme for safe use of artificial intelligence in schools
Latvia has started a national programme aiming for pupils, teachers and school heads to use artificial intelligence skilfully and safely by 2030. An education methodologist from Aizkraukle municipality says the benefits and risks depend on how the technology is used.
Staburags · 30 Oct, 08:08
Baltic States Asked for €500 Million for Counter-Drone Defence, but the European Commission Won't Provide Extra Funds
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia asked the European Commission for €500 million for a joint counter-drone system, but Commissioner Andrius Kubilius says no additional money can be granted. The countries were pointed to the EU's SAFE programme instead.
Latvijas Avīze · 30 Oct, 07:10
Friday in Latvia: partly cloudy in the west, rain in the east
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts that on 30 October the sun will appear at times in the west, while the east will be cloudy with periodic rain.
LSM (rus) · 30 Oct, 07:10
New "Lyre Hill" landscape feature opens in Valka's Forest Park
A new landscaped feature called "Liras kalniņš" (Lyre Hill) has been created in Forest Park in Valka, Latvia, near a pine whose branches resemble a lyre. The park is well kept, but most direction signs have been torn down.
Ziemeļlatvija · 30 Oct, 07:10
Poverty Risk Among Older People in Latvia Is Among the Highest in Europe
Eurostat data show that Latvia's overall poverty risk has fallen over the past decade, yet among the elderly it ranks near the top in Europe. An SEB bank economist and the Ministry of Economics explain the causes and the need to balance priorities.
Diena · 30 Oct, 07:10
Madona Municipality to Clarify Rules for Stopping Paid School Lunches
Madona municipality in Latvia will amend its rules on municipality-funded meals in educational institutions. The changes will clarify when payment for a pupil's lunches may be stopped and what steps follow.
Stars (Madona) · 30 Oct, 07:10