Latvia & nearby (28)

Rain expected across Latvia on Friday, with heavy showers and possible thunderstorms in Vidzeme

Forecasters say Friday's weather in Latvia will be changeable, with rain in many places. Some parts of Vidzeme may see heavy downpours and thunderstorms.

Jauns.lv · 30 Oct, 07:09

Commentary: Kulbergs' Government Model and the Dilemma of New Unity

Politician Bens Latkovskis argues in a commentary that the key question in Latvia's government talks is the role of the New Unity party. He outlines three possible government options centred on the United List.

NRA · 30 Oct, 06:12

Rain expected across much of Latvia on Friday afternoon and evening

Friday in Latvia will be mostly cloudy, with rain in many places from the afternoon and possible thunderstorms in Vidzeme. Daytime temperatures will reach +8 to +12 degrees.

Bauskas Dzīve · 30 Oct, 06:10

Latvia's 14th Saeima Ends Its Term as Talks on Next Leadership Begin

The 14th Saeima, Latvia's parliament, held its final session, and the newly elected one convenes on 3 November. Politicians are already discussing the presidium and the shape of the next government.

Diena · 30 Oct, 06:10

Unusual white drone spotted in Garciems; police have no report of the flight

A reader spotted a white drone, roughly one to two metres in size, in Garciems, Latvia, on 19 October. The State Police say they have no information about the incident.

Latvijas Avīze · 30 Oct, 06:10

Digital strategy adviser: Latvia's new competence centre should change services, not just the org chart

On 29 September the Latvian government backed consolidating ICT competences and ordered a model for a cross-ministry support centre. An opinion piece in Ir magazine argues the reform should be judged by simpler services for residents and businesses.

Žurnāls Ir · 30 Oct, 06:09

Limbaži Foundation Prepares for Its Annual Prayer Breakfast

Founders of the community foundation Limbažu fonds met in Limbaži to review summer activities and discuss future plans. The foundation has operated since 2009 and is one of six community foundations in Latvia.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 30 Oct, 05:10

Realistic sex dolls priced at several thousand euros arrive in Riga

A Swedish entrepreneur named Jesper is offering highly realistic sex dolls in Riga, with prices reaching several thousand euros. A journalist who saw them in person says they looked far more lifelike than she had expected.

TVNET · 30 Oct, 05:10

Colder Weather Ahead in Latvia, With Frost and Heavier Downpours Forecast

Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre expects cloudy, damp weather over the weekend, followed by a colder air mass arriving from the north in the middle of next week. Heavier showers are possible on the coast, and temperatures may fall below zero at night in places.

BNN · 30 Oct, 05:09

Newly elected residents' council of Limbaži town holds its first meeting

The residents' council of Limbaži town in Latvia held its first meeting and elected its leadership. Only 51 people took part in the council elections, which is under 1% of the town's residents.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 30 Oct, 04:11

Brīvais vilnis takes part in food exhibition in Paris

Representatives of the company AS Brīvais vilnis attended the international food exhibition SIAL Paris 2026 in France from 17 to 21 October. Its stand offered premium-class products, including those of a recently acquired Estonian company.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 30 Oct, 03:11

Faktomats: Russian propaganda about Latvia is full of lies and disinformation

The fact-checking project "Faktomats" of the Latvian news portal TVNET examines two Russian propaganda pieces about Latvia published this month. The project says such material is typically full of disinformation and lies.

TVNET · 30 Oct, 02:11

Folk healers, esotericists and driving schools share space at the Latvian Academy of Sciences

The Latvian Academy of Sciences building houses the Latvian Folk Healers Association, the International Esotericists Association and several driving schools. Recent events around the academy have reportedly reached a critical point.

Apollo.lv · 30 Oct, 01:11

Saldus Municipality Executive Director Kleinberga Dismissed After Saeima Election

Saldus municipal council on Thursday released executive director Nellija Kleinberga from her post after her election to the 15th Saeima. The job cannot be combined with the duties of a member of parliament.

NRA · 30 Oct, 00:11

Wildlife camera captures cranes up close in Latvia's Seda Marsh

A video shared on social media shows a wildlife camera filming several cranes at very close range in Seda Marsh, Latvia. The footage has drawn many comments from users.

Latvijas Avīze · 30 Oct, 00:10

Commentary: Almost a Month After Saeima Election, Latvia's New Government Is Still Not in Place

In a commentary for TVNET, author Lūsis says the quick coalition-building hoped for after the Saeima election has not happened. Almost a month on, the new Cabinet of Ministers has yet to be formed, and warning signs are appearing.

TVNET · 30 Oct, 00:08

Saeima backs amendments to personal income tax law in second reading

Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, supported amendments to the law "On Personal Income Tax" in the second reading. The changes aim to clarify how the rules apply in practice and to reduce the administrative burden on taxpayers.

TVNET · 29 Oct, 22:12

Air in Estonia to Warm Up to 11 Degrees on Friday

Estonian forecasters expect rain in many areas on Friday, both overnight and during the day, with daytime highs of 8–11 degrees. Coastal gusts may reach 13–14 m/s.

ERR (rus) · 29 Oct, 22:11

Estonia's ex-presidents' spouses receive over €2,000 a month

In Estonia, spouses of former presidents receive a monthly state payment to cover representation costs. Delfi also examined what support exists in Latvia and Lithuania.

Delfi · 29 Oct, 22:10

Saeima passes extensive amendments to Criminal Execution Law

Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, has adopted in the final reading amendments to the Criminal Execution Law, changing how sentences are served and expanding resocialisation measures. The law takes effect on 1 March 2027.

Delfi · 29 Oct, 21:11

ETV+ show Gorizont to cover rescue technology, a Halloween corgi parade and a tarot reader

Estonian public broadcaster's Russian-language channel ETV+ will air a new episode of Gorizont on Friday, 30 October. It will feature new life-saving technologies, a Halloween parade of corgis in Tallinn and a talk about the magic of Halloween.

ERR (rus) · 29 Oct, 21:10

Edvards Smiltēns Rumored as Likely Speaker of Latvia's 15th Saeima

According to lobby talk, Edvards Smiltēns of the United List could become Speaker of the newly elected 15th Saeima. No final agreement on the Presidium has been reached, and it will depend on coalition negotiations.

BNN · 29 Oct, 21:09

Saeima adopts new Architecture Law in final reading

On Thursday, Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, passed the Architecture Law in its final reading. It sets out the sector's core principles and self-governance for architects, and takes effect on 1 January 2027.

Delfi · 29 Oct, 20:11

LSM.lv publishes the 29 October episode of the programme «Обсудим вечером»

The Latvian public media portal LSM.lv has posted a new episode of its Russian-language programme «Обсудим вечером» on 29 October. The source does not say which topics were discussed.

LSM (rus) · 29 Oct, 20:10

Estonian opposition lawmaker says Turkish armoured vehicle deal cost Estonia closer cooperation with allies

Estonia is debating the servicing and spare parts of Turkish Arma armoured vehicles bought in 2023. Defence Minister Martin Herem sees no problems, while MP Meelis Kiili says the country lost a chance for closer cooperation with allies.

ERR (rus) · 29 Oct, 20:10

Bakery Flora's gingerbread packaging draws shoppers' attention ahead of Christmas

The packaging design of this year's gingerbread from the Latvian bakery Flora has won praise on the social network Threads, though some shoppers are debating the price. Gingerbread is appearing in shops more than a month before Christmas.

Latvijas Avīze · 29 Oct, 19:11

Saeima introduces grounds to reject wind farm projects over cumulative impact

Latvia's Saeima has amended the environmental impact assessment law so that wind farm projects can be rejected in municipalities that already have at least 150 megawatts of wind capacity. A significant negative cumulative impact must also be established.

TVNET · 29 Oct, 19:11

Twelve finalists of Estonia's Eesti Laul 2027 Eurovision selection announced

Organisers of Estonia's Eesti Laul 2027 song contest presented its 12 finalists on Thursday, 29 October. The winner will represent Estonia at Eurovision 2027 in Burgas, Bulgaria.

ERR (rus) · 29 Oct, 19:11

Changeable Friday weather expected in Latvia, with rain and sunny spells

Forecasters say that on Friday, 30 October, short spells of rain and sunshine will alternate across Latvia. Daytime temperatures will reach +8 to +12 degrees.

NRA · 29 Oct, 19:09

Saeima adopts rules allowing wind farm projects to be rejected

Latvia's parliament has passed final amendments to the environmental impact assessment law, allowing wind farms to be rejected in municipalities that already host at least 150 MW of wind capacity if significant negative cumulative impact is found. The changes take effect on 1 January 2027.

Jauns.lv · 29 Oct, 19:09

Belgian fighter jets join NATO air policing mission in the Baltic states

Belgian fighter jets are joining NATO's air defence mission in the Baltic states from Thursday. The Lithuanian Ministry of Defence announced it.

TVNET · 29 Oct, 18:11

Moldovan Parliament Speaker Rejects Opposition Criticism of Military Deal with Ukraine

Moldovan Parliament Speaker Igor Grosu says the military-technical cooperation agreement with Ukraine will be made public and accuses the opposition of inflating a scandal. The opposition demands the text and cites a breach of neutrality.

Pravda — ziņas · 29 Oct, 18:11

Searches in Alūksne EU-funded project case: Finance Minister Kučinskis points to earlier checks

Latvia's anti-corruption bureau KNAB carried out searches at the request of the European Public Prosecutor's Office in a case over suspected EU fund fraud in an Alūksne municipality project. Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis said the project was already checked in 2022 with no violations found.

Jauns.lv · 29 Oct, 18:11

Cycling coach Japiņš, composer Liepiņš and conductor Marnauza among top state award recipients

Latvia's Chapter of Orders has decided to grant the country's highest state awards to representatives of various fields. Cycling coach Japiņš, composer Liepiņš and conductor Marnauza are among those named.

LSM · 29 Oct, 18:10