Latvia & nearby
Swedish producer opens recording studio in Kuldīga used by Latvian bands
Swedish music producer Mikael Landen has turned a small workspace in Kuldīga's Kaļķu iela quarter into a recording studio called Hallen. Well-known Latvian bands, including Carnival Youth and Sudden Lights, have recorded there.
Kurzemnieks · 24 Oct, 07:54
Underage girl from Aluksne found in stairwell in Ogre
On the evening of 19 October, police in Ogre, Latvia, found an underage girl from Aluksne in an apartment building stairwell on Zilokalnu Avenue. After a medical check at a hospital, she was handed over to a crisis centre.
OgreNet · 24 Oct, 07:54
Riga cemeteries may have space only until around 2035
Burial space in Riga's municipal cemeteries could last until roughly 2035, though promoting cremation may extend that. Gints Zēla said this on TV24.
NRA · 24 Oct, 07:53
Streaming Films at Home: How to Pick a Movie Night Title
A sponsored article explains why watching films online, including through the Go3 streaming service's film section, is an increasingly convenient option. It offers tips on choosing genres, language options and preparing a movie night.
Bauskas Dzīve · 24 Oct, 07:53
Saturday in Latvia to bring mix of clouds and sun, no precipitation
Saturday's weather in Latvia will be a mix of clouds and sunshine, with no precipitation expected. This is the forecast of meteorologists at the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 07:53
Applications Open for Latvia’s “Sports Teacher of the Year 2026” Contest
Latvia’s Ministry of Education and Science is accepting nominations until 16 November for the “Sports Teacher of the Year 2026” contest. The winner will be honoured on 13 January 2027 at the “Three Stars Award 2026” event.
Bauskas Dzīve · 24 Oct, 06:54
Estonia's Rail Baltica Cost Rises to €3.5 Billion as Tallinn Food Prices Overtake Helsinki
Estonia's infrastructure minister said building the Rail Baltica railway in Estonia will cost €3.5 billion, with another €550 million needed for supporting infrastructure. Other Baltic news covers a food basket comparison, the closed Auvere drone probe and Lithuania's 2027 budget draft.
NRA · 24 Oct, 06:53
Agronomist Edgars Ruža awarded Cabinet of Ministers prize
On 20 October it was decided to award the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers prize to agronomist Edgars Ruža for attracting foreign investment and boosting Latvia's international competitiveness. The Ministry of Economics announced the decision.
Zemgales Ziņas · 24 Oct, 05:56
NATO Plans at Least Two More Deployment Sites in Eastern Latvia
NATO allies plan to strengthen their military presence in eastern Latvia. The aim is to be able to quickly support the Latvian government and armed forces in a crisis.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 05:55
Driver hits pedestrian in Jelgava, argues with him and leaves the scene
A car struck a pedestrian at a Jelgava intersection, and the driver left the scene after a confrontation with the victim. State Police are seeking witnesses and urging the driver to come forward.
NRA · 24 Oct, 05:55
Estonia's Food Prices Now Close to Finland's Level
A food basket study by Finland's public broadcaster Yle indicates Estonia, once known as a bargain shopping destination, is no longer cheap. Food there costs almost as much as in Finland.
TVNET · 24 Oct, 05:54
How night work is paid when Latvia turns its clocks back for winter time
Latvia sets its clocks back one hour on the night to Sunday, so a night shift may last an hour longer. For hourly-paid staff, the employer must pay for the time actually worked, plus a night-work supplement.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Oct, 05:53
Return of the Karolina river boat to the Narva–Narva-Jõesuu route in doubt
The river boat Karolina, which has carried passengers from Narva to Narva-Jõesuu for five seasons, may not return next season. Estonia's Transport Administration found that its length does not match the category of Narva's small port.
ERR (rus) · 24 Oct, 04:56
Social media row over the 62.08 euro daily cost of keeping a prisoner in Latvia
A figure on prisoner upkeep published by Latvian Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns has caused outrage on social media. The minister cited it to show that probation costs the state far less than imprisonment.
Delfi · 24 Oct, 03:55
Dark Stories from the Modelling Business: Mother Offered Her 13-Year-Old Daughter for 3,000 Lats
Gints Bude, who runs a model and fashion presentation studio in Latvia, recalls his experience in the modelling business. In one case, a mother brought her 13-year-old daughter to the studio and demanded three thousand lats.
TVNET · 24 Oct, 03:54
Estonia no longer the cheap neighbour: food prices close to Finland's
A food basket study by Finland's public broadcaster Yle suggests Estonia, once a bargain shopping destination, now has food prices nearly on a par with Finland's.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 03:54
Cyberattacks Exploiting PHP Vulnerabilities Have So Far Failed in Latvia
No cyberattack exploiting PHP programming language vulnerabilities has succeeded in Latvia so far, the cyber incident response body CERT.LV told the news agency LETA. Operation of 98% of public sector websites has been restored.
NRA · 24 Oct, 02:55
Dark Stories from the Modelling Business: Gints Bude's Experience
A piece on Apollo.lv recounts the darker side of the modelling business through the experience of Gints Bude, who runs a studio for fashion models. One example involves a 13-year-old girl brought to the studio by her mother.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 02:54
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Apollo.lv quiz asks readers to recognise 15 Latvian cities from photos
The Latvian news portal Apollo.lv has published an interactive quiz in which readers must identify 15 cities in Latvia from pictures. Participants pick an answer for each photo and find out their score at the end.
Apollo.lv · 24 Oct, 01:55
Car crashes in Riga, driver removes licence plates and walks away
A car left the road and hit a road sign in Riga's Ziepniekkalns district overnight on Friday, 23 October. The driver left the scene after taking off the plates but later returned.
Delfi · 24 Oct, 01:55
Zāmuele: More People in Latvia Are Buying Only Discounted Food
Lawyer and mediation expert Baiba Zāmuele said on TV24's show that a growing number of Latvians shop only for promotional items. In her view, for some people buying food has become a precise budget calculation.
Latvijas Avīze · 24 Oct, 01:55
Sarkandaugava's Castle Ruin Tower: From a Brewery Owner's Whim to a Museum
The artificial castle ruins and tower in Riga's Sarkandaugava district began as a brewery owner's idea, later housed President Kārlis Ulmanis's study, and now hold a museum. The tower is open to visitors, who can see Riga from its top.
Delfi · 24 Oct, 00:56
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Mandarins appear in Latvian shops as early as October
Mandarins are already widely available in Latvian shops in October, although they have long been seen as a sign that Christmas is approaching. The news site TVNET looked at what is on offer.
TVNET · 24 Oct, 00:54
Riga City Council invites nominations for the "Rigan of the Year 2026" award
Riga City Council is asking residents to nominate candidates for the "Rigan of the Year 2026" award. The call was announced by council spokesperson Sindija Grāvere.
Apollo.lv · 23 Oct, 23:56
Latvian teacher says pay recalculation cut her salary by a further €200
A Latvian teacher wrote on the social platform Threads that, after inaccurate September workload calculations and a recalculation, her salary was cut by another €200. She is now considering changing jobs, while other commenters criticise the uncertainty in teachers' pay.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Oct, 22:55
Residents of Vangaži apartment block plagued by cellar odour after rodent control
Residents of a five-storey apartment building in Vangaži, Latvia, complain of a strong smell in the building, which they link to recent rodent control. The manager, SIA Vilkme, reportedly said there is little it can do.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Oct, 21:54
Estonian Foreign Ministry Chancellor Vseviov and Tartu Councillor Kõiv Join Social Democratic Party
Jonatan Vseviov, chancellor of Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Tartu city councillor Daniel Kõiv have officially joined the Social Democratic Party. Vseviov will run in the March 2027 parliamentary election.
ERR (rus) · 23 Oct, 21:53
Woman Finds Three Attempted €3.98 Maxima Charges on Her Card for Purchases She Didn't Make
A user named Laura posted on the social platform Threads that her bank account showed three attempts to charge €3.98 at Maxima, a store she hadn't visited. Maxima's representatives asked her to contact customer service.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Oct, 20:54
Forming a government by November 18 is quite possible, says Latvian president
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs says it is quite possible to form a government before the November 18 state holiday.
LSM (rus) · 23 Oct, 20:54
Over 100 grams of cocaine confirmed in case of man detained in Saldus
Latvia's State Police have confirmed that substances seized after a man's detention in Saldus in May were 102.02 grams of cocaine and 83.17 grams of marijuana. Police also froze several tens of thousands of euros in cash.
NRA · 23 Oct, 20:54
Police warn against youths' self-styled «predator hunting» videos on social media
In a video circulating on social media, three young people posed online as a 15-year-old girl, met a man and called the police. The State Police say such vigilantism can hamper investigations and let offenders escape punishment.
Delfi · 23 Oct, 19:55
25 administrative cases opened this autumn over illegal berry picking in Teici Nature Reserve
Latvia's Nature Conservation Agency has opened 25 administrative offence cases this season over unauthorised presence and cranberry picking in Teici Nature Reserve. Most violations were recorded outside the four permitted days in September.
NRA · 23 Oct, 19:53
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Latvia Urges European Commission to Keep Firm Stance in Trade Talks With China
Latvia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has called on the European Commission to maintain a firm position in trade talks with China. The ministry told the news agency LETA.
TVNET · 23 Oct, 18:54
Bergmanis: National Defence Studies Needs More Class Hours
Latvian parliament member Bergmanis says the school subject of national defence studies should return to at least 140 hours, up from the current 112. He said there is not enough time to teach it properly.
Diena · 23 Oct, 18:54
Latvian Academy of Sciences president Kalviņš considers resigning over citizenship recommendation
Ivars Kalviņš, president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, apologised in an open letter for a recommendation to grant citizenship to Indian national Divya Vishwanath and said he is considering leaving his post. Parliament has meanwhile declared the law granting her citizenship invalid.
NRA · 23 Oct, 18:54
Consumer watchdog finds “220.lv” unfairly withheld delivery refunds on returned goods
Latvia's Consumer Rights Protection Centre has found an unfair commercial practice at the online shop “220.lv” and demanded changes to its rules on refunding delivery costs when a buyer returns goods. The company says it has already amended its terms.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Oct, 18:53