Latvia & nearby
Phone Ad Haggling Ends With a One-Word Refusal and a Rude Reply
A screenshot shared on the social network Threads shows a phone seller answering a 350-euro price offer with a curt "no". Commenters have reacted in different ways to the exchange.
NRA · 25 Oct, 02:11
Riga holds «Safe Riga» photo orienteering game on how to act in a crisis
A photo orienteering game called «Safe Riga» in Riga let residents test their knowledge of crisis preparedness. Visitors also helped weave a camouflage net that will be sent to Ukraine.
LSM · 25 Oct, 02:11
Riga cemetery chief says funeral industry has many grey areas and information leaks
Gints Zēla, head of the Riga City Council's Cemetery Administration, says Latvia's funeral services sector needs clearer regulation and stricter oversight. He pointed to client-acquisition methods and leaks of sensitive information.
Latvijas Avīze · 25 Oct, 02:10
Driver Hits Road Sign in Riga, Removes Both Number Plates and Walks Away
A car hit a road sign on Ozolciema Street in Riga overnight; according to a witness, the driver appeared intoxicated and left after removing the plates. He later returned to the scene, and no one was injured.
NRA · 25 Oct, 01:12
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Quiz: Can You Name All 18 Cities of Kurzeme?
The Latvian news portal Apollo.lv has published a quiz about the cities of Kurzeme. It asks readers to identify all 18 cities in the region.
Apollo.lv · 25 Oct, 00:09
Autumn clock change: the extra hour of sleep is really only about 33 minutes
Latvia moves back to winter time overnight, with clocks turned back one hour. A UK study suggests people use only part of the extra hour, sleeping on average 33 minutes longer.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Oct, 23:11
Narva cobbler closes Kreenholm workshop after 35 years
Aleksandr Eryazov, a cobbler in Narva, Estonia, is closing his small workshop by the Kreenholm gates after 35 years. It will operate only until the end of October.
ERR (rus) · 24 Oct, 23:10
Rēzekne rail station drill tests service coordination in fuel spill and air threat scenario
State-owned company Latvijas dzelzceļš held civil defence and disaster management exercises near Rēzekne railway station. They tested whether the institutions involved are ready to act in a coordinated way when a threat arises.
LSM (rus) · 24 Oct, 23:02
Foreign Drone Wreckage Found in Alūksne Municipality Forest; Army Opens Internal Review
Wreckage of a foreign drone was found on Saturday in a forest in Liepna parish, Alūksne municipality, and it likely fell on 18 October. Latvia's National Armed Forces have opened an internal review, and the State Police have launched a criminal case.
BNN · 24 Oct, 23:01
Damage to infrastructure on the Latvia–Belarus border rises sharply this year
This year 61 cases of border infrastructure damage have been recorded on the Latvia–Belarus border, against 23 during all of last year. The border guard is proposing wider rights to use weapons.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 22:59
Rain and gusty wind forecast for Latvia, with coastal gusts up to 20 m/s
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts rain bands crossing the country on Sunday and Monday, with strengthening wind. Gusts on the sea coast may reach 20 m/s.
BNN · 24 Oct, 22:27
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More migrants stopped on Latvia–Belarus border this year than in all of last year
This year more people have been stopped from illegally entering Latvia from Belarus than during the whole of last year. Cases of damage to border infrastructure have almost tripled.
TVNET · 24 Oct, 22:27
Light rain possible in places across Estonia on Sunday, highs of +10 to +13
Estonia's forecast for Sunday: variable cloud, light rain in places and daytime temperatures up to +13 degrees. Heavier precipitation is expected to reach the islands from the sea late in the evening.
ERR (rus) · 24 Oct, 22:26
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Court to continue hearing case on intelligence gathering for Russian special services in December
The Riga City Court will continue hearing the criminal case against Iveta Balode on 7 December. She is accused of gathering intelligence for Russian special services, LETA news agency reports.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 22:25
Pumpkin Soup Ingredients: Delfi Compares Prices at Markets and Supermarkets
A Delfi journalist compared what the vegetables for pumpkin cream soup cost at two markets and two supermarkets in Riga. The comparison reflects prices on a single day, not a general study.
Delfi · 24 Oct, 22:01
Estonia's Opposition Isamaa Party Pledges to Cut Food VAT to 13%
Estonia's opposition party Isamaa said in Tallinn on Saturday that, if it wins, it will lower the VAT rate on food from 24% to 13%. A political scientist argues the party needs new ideas rather than just criticism of the government.
ERR (rus) · 24 Oct, 21:01
Hen rescued from a caged farm now lives in an apartment, listens to the radio and looks in the mirror
A hen named Mieriņa, rescued from a caged-hen farm, lives in the home of Katrīna Krīgere, head of the organisation Dzīvnieku brīvība (Animal Freedom). She has become a household pet.
LSM · 24 Oct, 20:03
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State Police open criminal case after drone found in Aluksne municipality
The State Police have opened a criminal case after an unmanned aircraft was found on Saturday, 24 October, in Liepna parish, Aluksne municipality. The case was launched under the chapter of Latvia's Criminal Law on crimes against the state.
TVNET · 24 Oct, 20:02
Estonian handball clubs lose in European Cup round of 32
In the European Cup handball round of 32, Estonia's Mistra were eliminated by Finnish champions BK-46, while Serviti lost the first leg to Israel's Holon.
ERR (rus) · 24 Oct, 20:01
Riga Removes 40 Parking Spaces on Dzirnavu Street to Make Room for Bike Lanes
Riga city council confirms that 40 parking spaces were removed on Dzirnavu Street when bike lanes were built, with no replacement spaces currently planned. A reader complained about the situation to the LA.LV news portal.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Oct, 19:04
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Kalngale car park in Ādaži municipality to become free of charge
The finance committee of the Ādaži municipal council backed a decision this week under which the Kalngale car park is to become free.
TVNET · 24 Oct, 19:04
Estonian police: speed cameras deter speeding but do not solve the problem
A senior official of Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board says warning signs ahead of mobile speed cameras have reduced recorded violations, but this does not mean drivers speed less often.
ERR (rus) · 24 Oct, 19:03
Debris of Unidentified Drone Found in Latvia's Aluksne District; Investigation Under Way
Latvia's National Armed Forces said on 24 October that debris of a crashed drone was found in the Aluksne district. The drone probably entered Latvian airspace on 18 October, and the circumstances are being investigated.
Pravda — ziņas · 24 Oct, 19:02
Latvia Could Scrap Mandatory ID Card
Latvia's Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development conceptually backs letting residents choose between a passport and an ID card. The Law on Personal Identification Documents would have to be amended first.
Jauns.lv · 24 Oct, 19:01
Retailers urge preparing for shop payment terminals failing in a power outage
Henriks Danusēvičs, president of the Latvian Traders Association, says the state must develop solutions to keep shops running if electricity and communications fail. The association proposes using shops as crisis support points.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Oct, 18:04
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Smart Administration Ministry backs scrapping mandatory ID cards in principle
Latvia's Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development conceptually supports Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava's proposal to drop the compulsory ID card. The requirement currently applies to citizens and non-citizens from age 15.
TVNET · 24 Oct, 18:02
Garden house destroyed by fire in Kauguri parish as neighbours describe years-long feud
A garden house in Kauguri parish near Valmiera was destroyed by fire, and its resident escaped unharmed. Neighbours with whom he has had a long-running conflict told the programme "Degpunkts" about threats and disputes.
NRA · 24 Oct, 18:02
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Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa Received Highest Pay Among Latvian MPs in September
Saeima Speaker Daiga Mieriņa received the highest remuneration of any member of parliament in September, at 7,645.85 euros. The figure comes from information published by the Saeima.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 18:02
Estonia's justice chancellor: wild boars must not suffer in hunting dog training
Estonia's Chancellor of Justice's Office urges two ministries to set clear legal rules for training hunting dogs with live wild boars. Animal welfare must not be compromised, and guidelines alone are not enough.
ERR News · 24 Oct, 17:03
Student dormitory costs in Latvia range from 85 to over 500 euros a month
Latvijas Avīze compared dormitory costs at three Latvian higher education institutions: Vidzeme University of Applied Sciences, Riga Stradiņš University and the University of Latvia. Prices have risen by 8–16% in recent years.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Oct, 17:02
"Danger Fest 2026" opens at the Cinevilla film town
The family-friendly festival "Danger Fest 2026" opened on 23 October at the Cinevilla film town near Tukums, Latvia. It runs until 31 October.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 16:02
Remains of foreign drone found in forest in Aluksne municipality
A foreign unmanned aerial vehicle was found on 24 October in Liepna parish, Aluksne municipality, Latvia. It may have entered Latvian airspace on 18 October, the National Armed Forces said, adding that nobody was hurt.
LSM (rus) · 24 Oct, 16:02
Foreign Drone Found in Forest in Latvia's Aluksne Municipality; Minister Praises Police
A foreign unmanned aircraft was found on 24 October in a forest in Liepna parish, Aluksne municipality, Latvia. Interior Minister Janis Dombrava praised the State Police and the information provided by residents.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Oct, 16:01
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Rain and gusty wind expected in parts of Latvia on Sunday
Forecasters at the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre say it will rain in places on Sunday, with gusty wind.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 15:03
ETV+ Sunday Analytical Show to Cover Swedish Prisoners in Tartu and the Election Campaign
On Sunday, 25 October, a new episode of the analytical programme "Aktualnaya Kamera+" will air on ETV+, an Estonian Russian-language channel. It will feature reports on Swedish prisoners in Tartu, the start of an election campaign and Aleksandr Lefbard's collection.
ERR (rus) · 24 Oct, 15:02
Foreign drone wreckage found in forest in Latvia's Alūksne municipality
A foreign unmanned aerial vehicle has been found in Liepna parish, Alūksne municipality, Latvia. It may have entered Latvian airspace on 18 October, and the armed forces are working to establish its origin.
LSM · 24 Oct, 15:02