Latvia & nearby
Fact check: Latvian media have covered protests in France and Britain
The Latvian news portal TVNET checked a claim that Latvian media are silent about protests in France and London. It found the claim lacks context, as both sets of protests have been covered.
TVNET · 27 Oct, 19:12
Poznaks: Latvia should not change its Ukraine stance over US president's remarks
Latvian member of the European Parliament Reinis Poznaks says in a public statement that scaling back support for Ukraine to please US President Donald Trump would endanger Latvia's security. He argues that US policy is not only Trump and that Europe has not changed its position.
NRA · 27 Oct, 19:09
Latvian government widens grounds for issuing a new passport or ID card
The Latvian government on Tuesday backed changes that expand the cases in which residents can get a new identity document without waiting for the old one to expire. The changes also cover a remote electronic signature to be provided by LVRTC.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Oct, 18:11
Latvian Government Backs Extra €2.235 Million for Foreign Film Shoots
The Latvian government has allowed the Ministry of Economics to take on an additional €2.235 million commitment in 2027 to co-finance seven foreign film projects to be shot in Latvia. The programme runs until 2027, and a new one for 2028–2030 is planned.
Diena · 27 Oct, 17:11
Estonian parliamentary committee backs wider powers to counter drones
The Economic Affairs Committee of Estonia's Riigikogu unanimously agreed to move forward a bill that widens the right to restrict radio communications, making it easier to protect critical infrastructure from drones.
ERR (rus) · 27 Oct, 17:11
Plan to separate National Botanical Garden from Nature Conservation Agency
On 27 October the Latvian government conceptually backed an informational report proposing to separate the National Botanical Garden in Salaspils from the Nature Conservation Agency.
LSM (rus) · 27 Oct, 17:09
Survey: 86% of Latvian Drivers Admit Driving While Drowsy or Very Tired
According to the Carlsberg 0.0 Responsible Driving Index, 86% of Latvian drivers sometimes drive drowsy or very tired. The share who do so often or very often has risen from 7% to 9% over a year.
NRA · 27 Oct, 17:09
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Felipe Gabriel dos Santos Xavier denies gossip about Porziņģis's partying
Digital content creator Felipe Gabriel dos Santos Xavier told the magazine "Privātā Dzīve" that rumours about basketball player Kristaps Porziņģis partying excessively have no basis.
TVNET · 27 Oct, 17:09
Study: Digital skills growing in Latvia, but critical thinking still lags
A study by Latvia's National Electronic Mass Media Council finds that media literacy among residents is improving but remains at a middling level overall. Digital skills are rising, while critical thinking lags behind.
LSM · 27 Oct, 17:08
Pozņaks: Latvia Should Not Scale Back Ukraine Support to Avoid Upsetting Trump
Latvian member of the European Parliament Pozņaks argues that Latvia should not change its stance on Ukraine because of statements by US President Donald Trump. He says supporting Ukraine serves Latvia's own security interests.
Diena · 27 Oct, 16:10
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Culture Ministry to Coordinate State Architecture Policy Under New Bill
A Saeima committee on Tuesday backed the new Architecture Law bill under urgency procedure ahead of its second reading. The bill gives the Ministry of Culture the role of coordinating state policy in architecture.
TVNET · 27 Oct, 15:11
Trout and sea trout populations studied in the Ciecere River
Researchers from the BIOR scientific institute presented a study of fish populations in the Ciecere River at Saldus library. Juvenile numbers have grown, but larger fish are fewer and ecological quality is rated low.
Jauns.lv · 27 Oct, 15:10
Latvia extends ban on tourist bus trips to Russia and Belarus
On 27 October, Latvia's Cabinet of Ministers extended until 31 October 2027 the ban on irregular international passenger bus services crossing the Latvian border with Russia and Belarus. The decision is based on security considerations.
Delfi · 27 Oct, 15:10
Estonia runs out of asphalt as Swedish and Lithuanian bitumen supplies stop
Tallinn Deputy Mayor Kristjan Järvan said Estonia has run out of asphalt because bitumen deliveries from Sweden and Lithuania have stopped. The city is scaling back its autumn roadworks as a result.
ERR News · 27 Oct, 15:10
Dry weather expected in Latvia on Wednesday, with highs of up to +12 degrees
Forecasters expect partly cloudy, mostly dry weather in Latvia on the last Wednesday of October, with daytime highs of up to +12°C. Fog is likely in places overnight and in the morning.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Oct, 15:09
Estonian media association: Meta is planning the largest theft of content
Estonia's association of media companies warns that new business terms from US tech giant Meta would let it use news content without consent or payment. The European Commission says Meta has postponed the terms to 20 November.
ERR News · 27 Oct, 14:11
Latvia extends ban on irregular bus services across Russian and Belarusian borders for another year
On Tuesday, 27 October, the Latvian government extended until 31 October 2027 the ban on irregular international passenger bus services at three border crossings. The reason given is the continuing national security risks.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Oct, 14:09
Kulbergs to offer short change plan and ministerial mission letters in coalition talks
Prime minister candidate Andris Kulbergs of the United List will present a short change plan and a new government work model in his first official talks with potential coalition partners. Meetings are scheduled between 28 October and 2 November.
NRA · 27 Oct, 14:08
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Kulbergs to propose new government working model in coalition talks
Prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs will present a short plan for change to potential government partners in upcoming talks. It includes a new working model that would define more clearly the responsibilities of the cabinet and the Saeima.
TVNET · 27 Oct, 13:12
Smoked Sausage Was a Scarce Item in Soviet-Era Latvian Shops
A food feature from Latvian public media LSM recalls that smoked sausage could not actually be bought in shops in Soviet Latvia. Salmon, sprats and Bulgarian-made fruit compotes were scarce too.
LSM · 27 Oct, 13:10
Latvia Climbs to 19th Place in World Justice Project Rule of Law Index, Corruption Remains a Weak Spot
Latvia ranks 19th among 143 countries and jurisdictions in the latest Rule of Law Index, up two places. The Ministry of Justice says further improvement is needed in curbing corruption and in the criminal justice system.
BNN · 27 Oct, 13:09
Tallinn's new cinemas are still building their audiences
Two cinemas that opened in Tallinn, Estonia, this year, Kai Cinema and Cinamon, are trying to stand out from competitors and attract viewers.
ERR News · 27 Oct, 13:08
Vishvanatha files police complaint over alleged threats and harassment
Vishvanatha, an Indian citizen whose Latvian citizenship was granted and then annulled by the Saeima, has gone to police citing defamation, threats and racist remarks on social media. Prosecutors are separately examining how the citizenship was granted.
Diena · 27 Oct, 12:11
Pärnu property prices not yet affected by Rail Baltic delay
Real estate agents in Estonia's resort city of Pärnu say the postponement of the Rail Baltic deadline to 2032 has not yet influenced prices. Projects already underway are proceeding as planned.
ERR News · 27 Oct, 12:11
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Ombudsman Examines Possible Discrimination in Ādaži Kindergarten Head Contest
Latvia's Ombudsman's Office has opened a case over possible discrimination based on political beliefs and affiliation in the competition for head of the Podnieki kindergarten in Ādaži municipality. A breach of the good governance principle is also being assessed.
Apollo.lv · 27 Oct, 11:11
Estonian Natural History Museum Launches New Tender for Permanent Exhibition
The Estonian Museum of Natural History has launched a new procurement worth about €2.8 million to design and build its permanent exhibition at the new Nature House in Tallinn. The first tender failed, as none of its three bids qualified.
ERR News · 27 Oct, 11:10
TV programme looks into delivery couriers' work and taxes
Latvian Television's programme "Aizliegtais paņēmiens" examines the daily life of delivery couriers, their community, competition and their relationship with taxes. The couriers work with the delivery platforms Wolt and Bolt.
LSM · 27 Oct, 11:10
Ahead of Black Friday, experts warn about fake online stores
A fraud prevention expert at Luminor bank explains how to spot scam online shops during sales season. Artificial intelligence lets fraudsters build them quickly, making real and fake offers harder to tell apart.
NRA · 27 Oct, 11:09
Fire Hits Former "Lastochka" Kindergarten Building in Narva
A fire broke out on the evening of 26 October in an abandoned kindergarten building on Pimeaia Street in Narva, Estonia. No one was hurt, and the blaze was fully extinguished in just under three hours.
ERR (rus) · 27 Oct, 11:08
History in Diena: Aivars Goris, the Communist Party's Culture Overseer, Looks Back
Diena's history column recalls a 1996 interview with Aivars Goris, who for 20 years headed the culture department of the Latvian Communist Party Central Committee. He admitted some mistakes but refused to express remorse for his work.
Diena · 27 Oct, 10:12
Coop to close Linnamäe Konsum store in Tallinn, 30 jobs at risk
Estonian retailer Coop will close its Linnamäe Konsum store in Tallinn's Lasnamäe district on 17 January 2027. All 30 employees face redundancy.
ERR (rus) · 27 Oct, 10:11
Narvesen free coffee promotion sparks debate over staff workload
Retail chain Narvesen has promised a free large coffee to customers if the cashier fails to offer a hot drink before stating the total. Some social media users criticise it as an extra burden on sales staff.
Latvijas Avīze · 27 Oct, 10:11
Riga mayor: temporary bridge during Vanšu Bridge repairs could be placed on the sea side
Riga mayor Kleinbergs says a temporary bridge during the reconstruction of the Vanšu cable-stayed bridge is a very realistic option, and it could be located on the sea side of the existing bridge. The structures could be manufactured by next autumn.
Diena · 27 Oct, 09:10
Five killed on Latvian roads since Friday, two of them in Salnava
Five people have died in road accidents in Latvia since Friday, two of them in Salnava in Ludza municipality. The Road Traffic Safety Directorate says this year stands out for tragedies caused by very fast driving.
LSM (rus) · 27 Oct, 09:10
Estonian business confidence improves while consumers turn more pessimistic
Statistics Estonia reports that business confidence edged up in October, while consumer confidence fell sharply to -32.4 points.
ERR News · 27 Oct, 09:09
Temperatures in Latvia to reach +13°C on Tuesday, gusty winds in Ventspils
On Tuesday, 27 October, Latvia can expect partly clear weather with no significant precipitation and daytime highs of +9 to +13°C. Wind gusts in Ventspils are forecast to reach 16 metres per second.
Jauns.lv · 27 Oct, 08:12