Latvia & nearby
Names of possible candidates for several ministerial posts emerge
As official talks on forming Latvia's new government begin, a possible distribution of posts is taking shape. Latvian Television's Panorāma programme reported this on the evening of Wednesday, 28 October.
LSM (rus) · 28 Oct, 21:11
Tuberculosis Found in Indian Worker at Riga Kebab Shop
An Indian national working at a kebab shop in Riga has been diagnosed with tuberculosis, and the Disease Prevention and Control Centre has opened an epidemiological investigation. The Food and Veterinary Service is inspecting the business where he worked.
Latvijas Avīze · 28 Oct, 21:11
Tuberculosis detected in Indian national working at Riga kebab shop
An Indian citizen working at a kebab restaurant in Riga has been diagnosed with tuberculosis. Latvia's Centre for Disease Prevention and Control is tracing contacts, while customers are not considered at risk because the disease does not spread through food.
Jauns.lv · 28 Oct, 21:10
Constitutional Court to assess detainees' right to extended visits from relatives
Latvia's Constitutional Court has opened a case on whether the law on pre-trial detention complies with the Constitution by not providing for extended visits with relatives. The case must be prepared by 29 March 2027.
Delfi · 28 Oct, 21:09
Estonian art market hopes to benefit from record auction backing Artists' Union
Estonian gallery owners and auction organisers hope that the auction held to support the Artists' Union, which was defrauded by scammers and raised a record €2.3 million, will boost interest in art. Autumn auction exhibitions are already open or about to open.
ERR (rus) · 28 Oct, 20:10
Flu Vaccine Delivery Delays Also Raise Concern in Healthcare Institutions
Flu incidence is rising in Latvia, but some residents still cannot get vaccinated because vaccine deliveries are delayed. Healthcare institutions are also worried about their staff's health.
LSM · 28 Oct, 19:10
Kulbergs, New Unity and National Alliance agree on several reform directions
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs (AS) has reached common ground with the parties New Unity and the National Alliance in the first round of government formation talks. The agreement covers public administration, ministry functions and state finances.
TVNET · 28 Oct, 18:10
18% of Latvian Companies Hit by Cyberattacks This Year, Only 15% Offer Regular Staff Training
A survey by telecom company Bite Latvija and polling agency SKDS shows the share of Latvian companies facing cyberattacks has risen to 18%. Only 15% provide regular cybersecurity training for employees.
Jauns.lv · 28 Oct, 18:10
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Brencis denies wrongdoing and will keep his Saeima seat
Mārtiņš Brencis (AS), a newly elected member of Latvia's Saeima, was subject to procedural actions on Wednesday in a criminal case opened by the European Public Prosecutor's Office. He does not plan to give up his mandate, says he did nothing unlawful and says he is cooperating with investigators.
TVNET · 28 Oct, 17:12
Tallinn Music and Ballet School Continues Talks with Ministry on 2027 Budget
The Tallinn School of Music and Ballet (MUBA) in Estonia ran a large deficit after a new funding model was introduced, and it is still negotiating next year's budget with the Ministry of Education and Research. The ministry defends the model and expects the school's budget to balance next year.
ERR (rus) · 28 Oct, 17:11
Brencis does not plan to give up Saeima seat after raid in EU funds case
Mārtiņš Brencis, dismissed as adviser to the Latvian prime minister, denies any wrongdoing after searches and questioning in a European Public Prosecutor's Office case. He says he will not give up his seat in the 15th Saeima.
Delfi · 28 Oct, 17:11
Liepāja man tried to meet 15-year-old boy for sexual purposes; given probation
The South Kurzeme prosecutor's office completed a criminal case in October against a man who contacted a 15-year-old boy on the Grindr app and urged him to meet on Liepāja beach. The man was placed under probation supervision for two years.
NRA · 28 Oct, 17:10
Garisons: NATO Is Slow to Adopt New Drone Technology
Jānis Garisons, head of naval drone maker Newt21, says NATO is still experimenting rather than adopting new unmanned technology. Latvian parliamentary committee chair Raimonds Bergmanis agreed and urged faster creation of drone units.
Latvijas Avīze · 28 Oct, 17:09
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Kulbergs urges potential coalition partners to agree on fiscal discipline and reforms
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs on Wednesday opened the first official round of government-formation talks with potential coalition partners. He called for agreement on strict fiscal discipline, public administration reforms and economic growth.
Apollo.lv · 28 Oct, 16:11
Saeima committee backs wider powers for border guards to use weapons
A committee of the Latvian parliament has backed a plan to widen border guards' powers to use physical force, weapons and other special means to protect border infrastructure. It also supported a controversial proposal allowing the border guard, in certain cases, to investigate possible violent offences by its own officers.
LSM (rus) · 28 Oct, 16:11
Estonian parties prepare for Riigikogu election: some hire ad agencies, others rely on in-house teams
Ahead of Estonia's Riigikogu parliamentary election, the ruling Reform Party has picked the agency Tank, while EKRE, the Centre Party and the Social Democrats plan to run campaigns in-house. They cite lower costs and faster reaction times.
ERR (rus) · 28 Oct, 16:10
Adviser to Latvian PM Kulbergs, Mārtiņš Brencis, detained
Law enforcement officers have detained Mārtiņš Brencis, public administration adviser to Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs and a newly elected member of the Saeima. The report is based on unofficial information obtained by Latvian Television.
LSM (rus) · 28 Oct, 15:12
Prime Minister Kulbergs' adviser and newly elected MP Mārtiņš Brencis detained
Law enforcement authorities in Latvia have detained Mārtiņš Brencis, an adviser to Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs who is also a newly elected member of parliament. The detention is indicated by unofficial information available to Latvian Television (LTV).
LSM · 28 Oct, 15:11
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Announcement of Latvia's New Government Line-Up Delayed
The announcement of Latvia's new government has unexpectedly dragged on. The Unity List won 41 seats in the Saeima, which is not enough for a parliamentary majority.
TVNET · 28 Oct, 15:11
Head of Latvia's Financial Intelligence Unit Platacis and deputy Iljenkovs to leave
Toms Platacis, head of Latvia's Financial Intelligence Unit, will step down on 11 December, and his deputy for sanctions, Paulis Iljenkovs, is also leaving. Both intend to work in the private sector.
BNN · 28 Oct, 15:11
Fog possible in places in Latvia on Thursday
Latvijas Avīze's forecast for Thursday says fog may form in places during the night and morning hours. The source contains no other forecast details.
Latvijas Avīze · 28 Oct, 15:10
Estonia to make microchipping of dogs, cats and pet ferrets mandatory
Estonia's parliament has passed amendments to the Veterinary Act requiring dogs, cats and pet ferrets to be microchipped and registered in a state register from 1 June 2027. Animals that already exist have a transition period until 1 January 2029.
ERR (rus) · 28 Oct, 15:10
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Farmer and Saldus Municipality Honorary Citizen Jānis Vaļko Has Died
Jānis Vaļko, a farmer, Honorary Citizen of Saldus Municipality and former head of the company "Pampāļi", has died at the age of 76. The news was reported by the Saldus municipal authority.
Apollo.lv · 28 Oct, 14:12
Solman: Isamaa to Hit Peak Form for the Real Election Fight
Riina Solman, deputy chair of Estonia's Isamaa party, attributes the party's fall in the polls to an earlier inflated rating and says it will peak once the real campaign begins. Isamaa wants 32 seats in the Riigikogu but realistically expects 20–25.
ERR (rus) · 28 Oct, 14:12
Kulbergs Begins Talks on Forming New Latvian Government
After a pause of more than three weeks following the 15th Saeima elections, Andris Kulbergs is starting talks with potential coalition partners. He has indicated he plans changes to how the Cabinet and the Saeima operate.
LSM · 28 Oct, 14:11
Education Ministry Wants to Assess the Work of the Latvian Academy of Sciences
Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science wants a special commission to consider what the Latvian Academy of Sciences should look like. The idea of evaluating the academy's work and leadership may gain support in both political and scientific circles.
LSM (rus) · 28 Oct, 14:09
Jõhvi Announces Competition for Basic School Director
The local government of Jõhvi, a town in northeastern Estonia, has opened a public competition for the post of director of its basic school. Applications are accepted until 22 November.
ERR (rus) · 28 Oct, 13:11
Former welfare minister Uzulnieks still drives after drink-driving case
Former Latvian welfare minister Reinis Uzulnieks, caught in September driving with over three per mille of alcohol in Ropaži municipality, is legally still allowed to drive because no guilty verdict has taken effect. The Riga District Court will begin hearing the case on 27 January.
Delfi · 28 Oct, 13:09
Estonia's patient insurance claims rise, but three-quarters of decided cases are rejected
Since Estonia's patient insurance system launched, insurers have received 1,148 compensation claims, and most of those reviewed are rejected. This year's claim count already exceeds all of 2025.
ERR News · 28 Oct, 13:08
Isamaa lawyer: no ruling in criminal case to come before Riigikogu election
The lawyer for Estonia's opposition party Isamaa says a court will not rule on the prohibited donation case before the parliamentary election in March 2027. Prosecutors will decide on charges after the defense finishes reviewing the evidence.
ERR News · 28 Oct, 12:12
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Riga extends restriction on exiting Vanšu Bridge toward Castle Square
Riga has extended until 6 November a restriction on traffic leaving the Vanšu Bridge toward Castle Square (Pils laukums). The city municipality reported this.
TVNET · 28 Oct, 12:11
Head of Latvia's Financial Intelligence Unit Toms Platacis to leave post in December
Toms Platacis, head of Latvia's Financial Intelligence Unit, will end his term in the post on 11 December 2026. The agency says its work and strategic priorities will continue without interruption.
NRA · 28 Oct, 12:08
Latvia Detains 11 Fraud "Money Mules" and Couriers in October
Latvia's State Police have detained 11 people in October who acted as couriers or "money mules" for phone and cyber fraudsters. In one case, a couple lost €67,690 and three bank cards.
BNN · 28 Oct, 11:11
PM Adviser Dejus Proposes Fixed Tax for Wealthy Foreigners to Raise Funds Without Tax Hikes
Didzis Dejus, an unpaid freelance adviser to Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, explains his ties to foreign investor schemes in an opinion piece and proposes two ways to ease the budget gap without raising taxes.
Delfi · 28 Oct, 11:10
Cultural Endowment chief: hopes behind casino tax cut were based on fiction
Margus Allikmaa, head of Estonia's Cultural Endowment, wants the online casino tax rate restored to 7 percent because the expected rise in licence applications has not happened. The fund forecasts a €6–7 million shortfall next year.
ERR News · 28 Oct, 11:09
Four cars collide in chain crash in Tallinn's Lasnamäe district
A four-car collision occurred on Tuesday, 27 October, in the Lasnamäe district of Tallinn, Estonia's capital. No one was injured.
ERR (rus) · 28 Oct, 11:08