Latvia & nearby
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
/nginx/o/2025/02/03/16632369t1h9991.jpg)
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
/nginx/o/2026/10/23/17991676t1hf74e.jpg)
Tests confirm substances found on man detained in Saldus in May were drugs
Latvia's State Police have received expert reports confirming that substances found on a man detained in Saldus in May are cocaine and marijuana. There were more than 102 grams of cocaine and more than 83 grams of marijuana.
TVNET · 23 Oct, 17:56
Estonia's Eesti Laul Names 12 Finalists for 2027 Final
Twelve original songs will compete in the final of Estonia's national song contest Eesti Laul on January 30, 2027, in Tallinn. The lineup includes two former Eurovision contestants alongside newcomers.
ERR News · 23 Oct, 17:56
Latvian Academy of Sciences head explains why he backed citizenship for India's Divya Vishwanath
Ivars Kalviņš, president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, has published an open letter on his support for Indian national Divya Vishwanath's citizenship bid. He admits an error with an electronic signature, apologises and is considering leaving his post.
Jauns.lv · 23 Oct, 17:55
/nginx/o/2026/10/05/17957105t1h2153.jpg)
Over 102 grams of cocaine and 83 grams of marijuana found on man detained in Saldus
Expert examinations have confirmed that substances found on a man detained in Saldus in May are narcotics. They comprise more than 102 grams of cocaine and more than 83 grams of marijuana.
Apollo.lv · 23 Oct, 17:55
Latvian Academy of Sciences head blames e-signature mix-up for citizenship letter
Ivars Kalviņš, president of the Latvian Academy of Sciences, says the recommendation sent in the academy's name to grant Latvian citizenship to Indian scientist Divja Višvanata resulted from a misunderstanding in the electronic signature system.
LSM · 23 Oct, 17:54
Generation capacity connected to Latvia's distribution grid reaches 1.4 gigawatts
The combined generation capacity of producers connected to the electricity distribution network stood at 1.4 gigawatts at the end of September 2026. This is shown in the Electricity Supply Review published by Sadales tīkls.
TVNET · 23 Oct, 16:55
Estonian prosecutors doubt ID photos of sex offenders in background checks would make children safer
Estonia's Prosecutor's Office supports stronger checks on people working with children but questions whether adding ID photos of sex offenders would really improve safety. The Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs has submitted the bill for review.
ERR News · 23 Oct, 16:55
Critical PHP Vulnerability Exposed Gaps in Informing the Public
A critical vulnerability found this week in PHP software temporarily knocked out websites of state bodies, municipalities and private firms in Latvia. Responsible agencies warn that such situations may recur, and the incident also revealed shortcomings in how residents were informed.
LSM (rus) · 23 Oct, 16:55
Two military motorcycle clubs distance themselves from call to gather at Islamic Cultural Centre in Riga
The clubs “Perkūnas MMC” and “Patrioti MMC” have publicly distanced themselves from calls to gather at the Latvian Islamic Cultural Centre in Riga on 24 October. They say the club's name and symbols were used without permission and describe the situation as an “information attack in Latvia”.
NRA · 23 Oct, 16:54
Actor Gundars Āboliņš calls for scrapping three-month payout for outgoing Saeima deputies
Latvian actor Gundars Āboliņš said on TV24 that the law granting departing parliament members compensation worth three months' salary should be changed. He proposed sending roughly one million euros to the Children's Hospital instead.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Oct, 16:54
Study: Only 37% of Latvians Say They Would Defend Their Country Themselves
A study by the Saeima Analytical Service finds that 66% of Latvian residents support armed resistance, but only 37% would be ready to defend the country themselves. Both figures are lower in Latvia than in Estonia, Lithuania and Finland.
Jauns.lv · 23 Oct, 16:53
/nginx/o/2026/09/30/17947996t1hb886.jpg)
Driver killed and passenger injured as BMW hits tree
A BMW car crashed into a tree on Friday. The driver died and the passenger was taken to hospital, the State Police said.
Apollo.lv · 23 Oct, 15:55
Tax Authority Checks Declarations of Latvian Academy of Sciences Leaders
Latvia's State Revenue Service has begun checking the public official declarations of Latvian Academy of Sciences president Ivars Kalviņš and secretary general Baiba Rivža. The service confirmed this to the news agency LETA.
LSM · 23 Oct, 15:55
State Revenue Service starts checking Kalviņš and Rivža's public official declarations
Latvia's State Revenue Service is checking the public official declarations of Kalviņš and Rivža, because they did not list posts at a Cayman Islands-registered pharmaceutical company. The company head's wife, Divya Vishwanath, recently had her Latvian citizenship granted and then voided.
Diena · 23 Oct, 15:54
Sunshine and Up to +13°C Expected in Latvia on Saturday
Forecasters say clouds will clear in many places across Latvia on Saturday, 24 October, with sunshine returning. No rain is expected during the day, and temperatures will reach +11 to +13°C.
Latvijas Avīze · 23 Oct, 15:54
Driver killed after BMW hits tree in Kuldīga municipality
On Friday, a BMW car left the road and struck a tree in Kabile parish, on the Tukums–Kuldīga road. The driver died and a passenger was injured and taken to hospital.
Jauns.lv · 23 Oct, 15:54
Latvian Army Warns of Planned Drone Flights Along the Latvia–Lithuania Border
Planned flights of various types of unmanned aerial vehicles will take place on the Latvia–Lithuania border from 23 to 30 October. The Latvian Army urges residents not to be alarmed.
NRA · 23 Oct, 15:54
Lasnamäe Ice Park in Tallinn to open its season on 31 October with free entry
The ice park in Tallinn's Lasnamäe district, located in Tondiraba Park, will open its skating season on 31 October. Entry and skate rental will be free for the first two hours.
ERR (rus) · 23 Oct, 15:53
Estonia's Centre Party and Social Democrats Take Joint Lead in Party Poll as Isamaa Drops to Third
In the October survey by Estonian pollster Emor, the Centre Party and the Social Democratic Party rose to first place, pushing Isamaa down to third. Emor expert Aivar Voog says many voters' preferences are unsettled and the coming election could shift support significantly.
ERR (rus) · 23 Oct, 14:54
Lithuanian airports to offer 74 routes this winter, six fewer than last year
Lithuania's state-owned airport operator says its three airports will offer 74 scheduled and charter routes in the winter season starting Sunday, six fewer than a year earlier. Flight frequencies will nonetheless rise on 15 routes.
LRT English · 23 Oct, 13:55
Supreme Court Overturns Ruling in Dispute Over 400-Metre Power Line in Ogre
Latvia's Supreme Court Senate found that the utilities regulator SPRK interpreted the direct line concept too narrowly when it refused Elektro bizness permission for a power line in Ogre. The case returns to the Administrative Regional Court for a new hearing.
Delfi · 23 Oct, 13:53
Estonian prosecutors close probe into drone that hit Auvere power plant smokestack
Estonia's Prosecutor's Office has closed its investigation into a drone that struck a smokestack at the Auvere Power Plant on March 25, as it could not establish the circumstances. The Internal Security Service (KAPO) says nothing indicates the incident was a deliberate act against Estonia.
ERR News · 23 Oct, 12:56
Latvian Academy of Sciences Faces Criticism Over President Kalviņš's Backing of Indian Citizen's Citizenship Bid
Academy member Vjačeslavs Kaščejevs is calling for president Ivars Kalviņš to resign, saying he presented a personal recommendation for Indian national Divya Vishwanath as the Academy's position. The Academy's Presidium says Kalviņš acted within his powers.
Jauns.lv · 23 Oct, 12:55
Minister: Rail Baltica construction costs in Estonia have risen to €3.5 billion
Estonia's minister told parliament that building the Rail Baltica railway line in Estonia is now estimated at €3.5 billion, €400 million more than in late 2023. A further €550 million is needed for accompanying infrastructure.
Diena · 23 Oct, 12:54
Kristjan Vassil to become Vice-Chancellor at Estonia's Ministry of Education and Research
Kristjan Vassil will take up the post of Vice-Chancellor at Estonia's Ministry of Education and Research on 2 November, covering research, development, higher education and adult education policy. He calls for greater use of data and artificial intelligence in decision-making.
ERR (rus) · 23 Oct, 11:56
Lithuania issues postage stamp honouring primatologist Birutė Galdikas
Lithuania's postal service is releasing a new stamp on Friday in honour of Birutė Galdikas, a primatologist of Lithuanian descent. She spent more than five decades studying and protecting orangutans.
LRT English · 23 Oct, 11:55
240 Young Cattle from Estonia Flown from Riga to Uzbekistan
In two trial flights from Riga Airport to Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 240 young cattle from Estonia were exported. The flights tested how institutions cooperate in shipping live cattle by air to Central Asia.
Jauns.lv · 23 Oct, 11:55
/nginx/o/2026/10/23/17990598t1h2536.jpg)
Latvian Academy of Sciences Presidium Backs Kalviņš Over Citizenship Recommendation
The Presidium of the Latvian Academy of Sciences says academy president Ivars Kalviņš acted within his powers when he recommended Latvian citizenship for an Indian national. It says the recommendation letter was prepared in good faith.
TVNET · 23 Oct, 11:55
Serious crash on Riga bypass near Upeslejas leaves car overturned
A serious road accident occurred on Wednesday, 21 October, on the Riga bypass near the turn-off to Upeslejas. One lane was blocked for several hours and one person was taken to hospital.
NRA · 23 Oct, 11:55