Latvia & nearby (4)

Zemgale Regional Court Cuts Sentence of Woman Convicted of Killing Granddaughter's Newborn

Retrying the case, the Zemgale Regional Court in Latvia sentenced a woman to just under ten years in prison for abducting and killing her granddaughter's newborn. She had earlier received 18 years, but the Supreme Court overturned that ruling.

Jauns.lv · 9 Nov, 18:13

Nausėda: All Matters on Taiwanese Office Name Are Coordinated With Me

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda said the Foreign Ministry's talks with the Taiwanese Representative Office in Vilnius on a possible name change are coordinated with him. Lithuania wants to restore relations with China while keeping good ties with Taiwan.

LRT English · 9 Nov, 18:12

Kulbergs Wanted More Specific Budget Cut Proposals from Progressives After Coalition Talks

Andris Kulbergs, candidate for prime minister, said after talks with Progressives and New Unity that he had expected more detailed proposals on cutting budget spending. He also sees a shared understanding of the need to put public finances in order.

BNN · 9 Nov, 18:11

Second World War shell found in Mežotne parish to be destroyed at a training range

A rocket shell found on Monday in Mežotne parish, Bauska municipality, is most likely Second World War ordnance. It will be taken to a range for destruction, and no residents needed to be evacuated.

Apollo.lv · 9 Nov, 18:11

Five cult Soviet-era food products that have vanished from store shelves

Modern supermarkets offer a huge range of food, yet several products popular in Soviet times can no longer be bought. The Ukrainian news portal oboz.ua compiled five such items, Latvijas Avīze reports.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 18:10

Latvian President Rinkēvičs Discusses Security Risks From Unfriendly States With State Security Service Chief

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs met State Security Service head Normunds Mežviets at Riga Castle on Monday. They discussed how to reduce security risks posed to Latvia by unfriendly states.

Jauns.lv · 9 Nov, 17:12

Shuvajevs: Next coalition must be as broad as possible and independent of Slesers' votes

Andris Shuvajevs, head of the Progressives' parliamentary group, said after talks with Prime Minister-designate Andris Kulbergs that the new coalition should be as broad as possible and not depend on Ainars Slesers' votes. Kulbergs invited three parties to talks on Monday.

Apollo.lv · 9 Nov, 17:12

Latvia's Rescue Service: Nearly 12% of Residents Don't Act on Cell Broadcast Alerts

A survey commissioned by Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service shows that 11.7% of residents do not act on cell broadcast alerts because they believe the danger will not affect them. The service's chief called the finding worrying.

TVNET · 9 Nov, 17:12

Hotell Fonnental in Tallinn's Kadriorg District Put Up for Sale

A property housing the 35-room Hotell Fonnental and a cafe in Kadriorg, a district of Estonia's capital Tallinn, is on the market. The owners are asking €4,836,000.

ERR News · 9 Nov, 17:11

Heated towel rail in the bathroom can use several times more electricity than a fridge

The website Centrum.cz warns that a heated towel rail left on for long periods can consume three to four times more electricity than a refrigerator. Usage can be cut by running it only when needed or by using a timer and thermostat.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 17:10

Viktorija Voičenko Takes Over as Chair of the Board at Mēness Aptieka

From 9 November, Viktorija Voičenko leads the board of AS Sentor Farm Aptiekas, which runs the Mēness Aptieka pharmacy chain. For the past six years she was CEO of Kesko Senukai Latvia, and she replaces Vilma Fairclough.

Diena · 9 Nov, 16:11

Estonian government rejects fuel excise tax cuts

Estonia's government opposes three opposition bills to cut fuel excise taxes. The Finance Ministry says they would sharply reduce state revenue while having only a small effect on pump prices.

ERR News · 9 Nov, 16:10

Drunk BMW driver flees police in Tukums and crashes into woods

In Tukums on Saturday evening, police chased a BMW driver who was found to have 2.55 per mille of alcohol in his breath. A criminal case has been opened for drunk driving, along with five administrative cases.

Jauns.lv · 9 Nov, 15:12

Kulbergs Hoped for More Specific New Unity Proposals on Boosting the Economy

Prime ministerial candidate Andris Kulbergs said after a second round of talks with New Unity that he had expected more precise budget proposals. It remains unclear whether the two parties will join the same coalition.

Delfi · 9 Nov, 15:11

Kulbergs says "New Unity" has not provided enough concrete detail on budget cuts

Andris Kulbergs, the candidate for Latvia's next prime minister, said after meeting potential coalition partners that New Unity has not offered a sufficiently concrete vision for spending cuts and public administration reform.

BNN · 9 Nov, 15:11

Frost expected in many parts of Latvia on Martinmas: what folk beliefs say about Christmas

Forecasters expect Tuesday morning air temperatures in Latvia of between -3 and +3 degrees. According to Latvian folk beliefs, frost on Martinmas signals a warm Christmas.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 15:11

Riga man sentenced to 23 years in prison for sexual abuse of stepdaughter

The Riga City Court sentenced a man to 23 years in prison for sexually abusing his wife's daughter, including rape, and for producing and possessing child pornography. The sentence follows a court-approved plea agreement.

Diena · 9 Nov, 15:10

Survey: Only 9.3% of Residents Act Immediately on Cell Broadcast Alerts

A survey commissioned by Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service shows that almost everyone polled has received cell broadcast alerts, yet only 9.3% act on them immediately. The service urges people to read alerts in full and follow the instructions without seeking confirmation first.

VUGD · 9 Nov, 15:10

Constitutional Court rules general public access to shareholders' personal data unconstitutional

Latvia's Constitutional Court has found that a provision making shareholders' personal data in joint-stock companies publicly available in the Commercial Register violates Article 96 of the Constitution. The ruling is final and takes effect on the day of publication.

Diena · 9 Nov, 14:11

How Estonia is bracing for intensifying cyberthreats

A cyberattack in Estonia this week made refrigerators at a Selver supermarket heat up to 50 °C, with similar incidents reported in 11 European countries. Experts say AI is making attacks easier, while the state and businesses prepare for crises.

ERR News · 9 Nov, 14:10

Lithuania's food prices fall over past year despite EU's highest inflation

Food prices in Lithuania have declined over the past year, even though the country had the European Union's highest annual inflation rate in October. Shoppers remain sceptical as fuel, electricity and heating costs keep rising.

LRT English · 9 Nov, 14:10

Large families with “Goda Ģimene” cards to ride trains free on Latvian national holidays

Rail passenger operator Vivi will offer free single-journey tickets to large families and families caring for children with disabilities on 11 and 18 November.

Jauns.lv · 9 Nov, 13:12

Five Tallinn events this week: cinema, concerts and dance music

Five cultural events will take place in Tallinn, Estonia, from 9 to 15 November: a short-film screening, night cinema, a German band concert, a Korean food night and a club night. The list was compiled by Estonian World with the Gamma events platform.

Estonian World · 9 Nov, 13:11

Firefighters Respond to Cats in Trees Only If the Animal Cannot Get Down on Its Own

Mārtiņš Baltmanis, head of Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service, said rescuers attend calls about cats in trees only when the animal is stuck. He could not give an exact cost for a single rescue.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 13:10

Jüri Uuskülä to head Narva social work centre

Ülar Uusküla has been approved as the new director of the Narva Social Work Centre in Estonia, following an open competition. He replaces Tatjana Stolfat, who was dismissed on 8 October.

ERR (rus) · 9 Nov, 12:12

Former Rindzele drug rehabilitation centre put up for auction

State real estate company VNĪ is auctioning the former Rindzele drug rehabilitation centre in Tukums municipality, owned by the Ministry of Health, with a starting price of €148,400. A former sanitary-epidemiological station in Valmiera is also on offer.

TVNET · 9 Nov, 12:12

Andris Kulbergs' first marriage: social media shows traces of his life with Kristine

Magazine Kas Jauns reports that politician Andris Kulbergs was married before his current wife, Anna Kulberga. His first wife is Kristine, and they have a son, Kristians Lukass, who founded the company Mion.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 12:12

Latvia revises drone shoot-down procedure after failed interception

Latvian Defence Minister Raivis Melnis says the decision-making chain has been shortened after a drone that entered the country's airspace last week could not be shot down. Drone interception teams on the ground will now have more authority.

Ukrainska Pravda · 9 Nov, 11:11

Estonia's goods exports rose 6% in the third quarter

Statistics Estonia reports that the country's goods exports grew 6% in the third quarter of this year, while imports rose 7%. Finland, Latvia and Lithuania were the main export partners.

ERR News · 9 Nov, 11:10

Ombudsman Opposes Cutting Public Transport Fare Discounts for Children and People With Disabilities

Latvian Ombudsman Karina Palkova objects to the Ministry of Transport's plan to limit public transport fare concessions for children and people with disabilities. She argues that budget problems should not be solved at the expense of less protected groups.

TVNET · 9 Nov, 10:13

Gunman Behind Krakow City Centre Shooting Dies in Hospital

The 24-year-old man who carried out a shooting in central Krakow, Poland, on Saturday has died in hospital, police said on Monday. Investigators believe he killed nine people in total.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 10:12

Regions

Cycling from Baltinava to Malnava: a Hitler bunker story and a resistance figure

In a travelogue published by Zemgales Ziņas, the author cycles from Baltinava through Kārsava to Malnava in eastern Latvia, where a bunker in the manor park is said to have hosted Adolf Hitler. Resistance movement member Valentīne Lasmane worked at the manor in 1941–1942.

Zemgales Ziņas · 9 Nov, 10:12

Regions

Smiltene Municipality to Mark Lāčplēsis Day with Torch Processions and Concerts

On Wednesday, 11 November, several places in Smiltene Municipality will hold events honouring those who fell in Latvia's War of Independence. The programme includes torch processions, remembrance moments and concerts.

Ziemeļlatvija · 9 Nov, 10:12