Latvia & nearby (43)

Young entrepreneurs in Balvi go from years of searching to a chocolate factory

Aleta Boldāne and Niks Mičs are building the LaVersa Chocolate production business in Balvi, Latvia. Within a year it has launched an online shop and a store, and bought new equipment ahead of export plans.

Diena · 23 Oct, 11:53

Lithuanian firms produce anti-drone netting to shield strategic objects

Lithuanian companies are producing anti-drone netting to protect the country's strategic objects from possible attacks. Lithuania decided to strengthen this protection after the drone incursion on October 18.

LRT English · 23 Oct, 10:55

Consumer watchdog finds online shop 220.lv engaged in unfair practice over delivery cost refunds

Latvia's Consumer Rights Protection Centre has found an unfair commercial practice at the online store 220.lv. It concerns refunds of delivery costs when a buyer withdraws from a purchase.

TVNET · 23 Oct, 10:55

Estonia bans truck overtaking on Tallinn–Pärnu highway in a national first

A ban on trucks overtaking other vehicles took effect Thursday on a 2+1 lane section of the Pärnu–Tallinn highway in Estonia, the first such restriction in the country. It aims to improve traffic flow and safety.

ERR News · 23 Oct, 10:54

Priit Toobal elected mayor of Põhja-Sakala Parish

Former Riigikogu member Priit Toobal has been elected head of Põhja-Sakala Parish in Estonia, receiving 10 of the 19 votes in the local council.

ERR (rus) · 23 Oct, 10:54

Regional bus timetables to change from 1 November around Limbaži, Sigulda and Saulkrasti

From 1 November, Latvia's Road Transport Directorate is altering departure times, stops and trips on several regional bus routes near Limbaži, Sigulda and Saulkrasti. A new evening trip to Ragana is being added, while some little-used trips will be cut.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 23 Oct, 10:53

Warmer-than-usual autumn weather to continue in Latvia at the end of October

Forecasters expect rain at times in Latvia during the last week of October, with air temperatures staying above the norm.

LSM (rus) · 23 Oct, 09:56

Latvia Switches to Winter Time on Sunday: Clocks Go Back One Hour

In the early hours of Sunday, 25 October, clocks in Latvia must be turned back from 4:00 to 3:00. The next change, to summer time, is set for 28 March 2027.

Bauskas Dzīve · 23 Oct, 09:56

France unrest: an opinion piece alleges an organised network behind the protests

Protests in France that began in September have escalated into riots. An opinion piece on OgreNet claims an organised international network planned and funded them. These claims are not independently confirmed.

OgreNet · 23 Oct, 09:55

Estonia plans €4 million upgrade to state portal and Eesti app

Estonia's Information System Authority has launched a procurement worth up to €4 million to develop and maintain the eesti.ee state portal and the Eesti app. The aim is to improve usability and connect more government systems and services.

ERR News · 23 Oct, 09:55

Website of Latvia's Official Gazette "Latvijas Vēstnesis" Back in Full Operation

The state-owned company "Latvijas vēstnesis" has announced that the website of Latvia's official publication, vestnesis.lv, is fully restored. The publisher's website, lv.lv, is working again as well.

TVNET · 23 Oct, 09:54

Estonian Chancellor of Justice: Tallinn University of Technology Treats Russian and Belarusian Citizens Unequally

A deputy of Estonia's Chancellor of Justice has concluded that Tallinn University of Technology breaches the principle of equal treatment by refusing applications from Russian and Belarusian citizens who lack a legal basis to stay in Estonia for the whole nominal study period.

ERR (rus) · 23 Oct, 09:54

Lithuanian FinMin defends deficit budget: pressure to cut defence spending

Lithuanian Finance Minister Taurimas Valys defended the 2026 budget proposal, which includes a sizable deficit, in an interview with LRT.lt. He said the government faced pressure to sharply reduce defence funding.

LRT English · 23 Oct, 09:54

Latvia's per-capita state spending up more than 18-fold in 30 years

Comparing 1995 and 2025, Latvia's population fell by 25.6%, while general government revenue per resident rose more than 18 times. The commentary points to budget deficits, rising public debt and uncertain EU funding after 2028.

Diena · 23 Oct, 09:53

Vidzeme Firefighters Handle Six Calls in a Day: Chimney, Tree and Bucket on Fire

The Vidzeme regional board of Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service received six calls in the 24 hours up to the morning of 23 October. Nationwide, the service received 42 calls.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 23 Oct, 09:53

Lithuanian energy group's Estonian arm weighs gas-fired power plant near Tartu

The Estonian subsidiary of Lithuania's Ignitis group is preparing for a possible gas-fired power plant of up to 200 MW in Kastre Municipality, Tartu County. No final investment decision has been made.

ERR News · 23 Oct, 08:55

Gold Posthumously: How the Stormy Finish of a 1988 Regatta Cost Four Sailors Their Lives

On 28 July 1988, four sailors died in the gulf off Vecaki, a seaside district of Riga, during the final stage of the Latvian SSR sailing championship. A history article from LSM recalls the tragedy.

LSM (rus) · 23 Oct, 08:55

Design work for Asari Park improvements completed in Jūrmala, construction preparations under way

Jūrmala city municipality finished designing the Asari Park improvements in summer 2026. Preparations for the start of construction are now continuing.

Jauns.lv · 23 Oct, 08:54

Rinkevics: New Latvian Government Possible Before Independence Day Celebrations

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics believes the government led by Andris Kulbergs can be formed by the national holiday, even though coalition talks have not yet begun. He hopes they will start next week.

BNN · 23 Oct, 08:54

Clocks go back on 25 October 2026, four days earlier than in 2023

In Latvia and across the European Union, clocks will be turned back in the night before Sunday, 25 October. The rules are unchanged; the date differs only because of the calendar.

NRA · 23 Oct, 08:54

Saeima Reverses Citizenship Decision for Indian Scientist Divya Kanan Vishwanath

Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, has revoked its decision to grant citizenship to Indian scientist Divya Kanan Vishwanath. Doubts over some of the facts behind the decision and a call from the President to clear up the uncertainty preceded the reversal.

Staburags · 23 Oct, 08:53

About €700 Stolen From Currency Exchange Machine in Smiltene

About €700 was stolen from a damaged currency exchange machine on Rūpniecības Street in Smiltene, Latvia. The State Police have opened a criminal case, as part of a daily incident roundup for the Vidzeme region.

Ziemeļlatvija · 23 Oct, 08:53

President Rinkēvičs: Citizenship Should Be Granted Only in Exceptional Cases and Without Haste

Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs hopes the next Saeima will end the practice of deciding on the granting of citizenship under urgent procedure. He says citizenship should be granted only in exceptional cases.

LSM · 23 Oct, 08:53

Latvian Products Win Innovation Certificates at Paris Food Fair

More than 60 Latvian food producers took part in the SIAL Paris 2026 food industry exhibition. Products from eight Latvian companies, including the fireweed powder by Madona-region brand Plūkt, received SIAL Innovation certificates.

Stars (Madona) · 23 Oct, 07:56

Bauska County family doctors short of flu vaccines, with supplies for younger patients promised in November

Demand for flu vaccines at family doctors' practices in Latvia exceeds supply, and Bauska County is no exception. Deliveries are delayed because vaccine production in Europe ran late.

Bauskas Dzīve · 23 Oct, 07:55

Estonia's Social Democrats Rise to Second Place in Party Ratings

In an October poll, support for Estonia's Social Democrats grew to 20%, placing them second behind the Centre Party. Emor sociologist Aivar Voog attributes the rise to prominent politicians joining the party.

ERR (rus) · 23 Oct, 07:53

Riga Crematorium Clerk: There Is Nothing Supernatural About Working With Death

Ilze Verpakovska, office manager at the Riga crematorium, has worked for more than 20 years in a setting where death is part of daily conversation. In an interview she explains how she sees her job.

TVNET · 23 Oct, 06:56

Survey: 35% of Latvians Say Their Personal Finances Worsened in the Past Three Months

An October survey by Citadele bank and research agency Norstat shows 35% of Latvian residents saw their finances deteriorate, up from 25% in July. Latvia recorded the sharpest decline in the Baltic region.

Bauskas Dzīve · 23 Oct, 06:55

Friday in Latvia: cloudy and rainy, with possible clearing in the evening

Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts cloudy skies and rain across the whole country on Friday, 23 October.

LSM (rus) · 23 Oct, 06:53

Limbaži Main Library Marks 140th Anniversary

The Limbaži Municipality Main Library in Latvia celebrated its 140th anniversary on 17 October. Its only surviving book donated by Kārlis Baumanis, author of the Latvian national anthem, is now kept in a safe.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 23 Oct, 05:56

Riga Woman's Bank-Free Instalment Flat Purchase Ends in Losses and Eviction

A Riga resident tried to buy an apartment in instalments without a bank's involvement. It ended in significant financial losses and a court ruling ordering her eviction.

TVNET · 23 Oct, 05:56

Saeima postpones deputy compensation changes, commentator Bens Latkovskis criticises the move

Latvia's Saeima has decided to remove deputies' transport and housing compensation rules from its rules of procedure and regulate them later in a remuneration law, keeping the current system until then. Commentator Bens Latkovskis calls this a failure to deliver the change voters wanted.

NRA · 23 Oct, 05:54

Plan to Rebuild A7 Section to Lithuanian Border as Expressway

The section of Latvia's A7 road from the end of the Bauska bypass to the Lithuanian border is planned to be rebuilt as a four-lane expressway. An initial public consultation will run from 23 October to 13 November.

Bauskas Dzīve · 23 Oct, 05:53

Economists warn of a fiscal dead end: Latvia's budget deficit could reach 5.4% within two years

Some economists forecast a serious crisis in Latvia within three years, with the budget deficit possibly hitting 5.4 percent in two years. Economist Inna Šteinbuka discusses the situation on the Jauns.tv programme "Jauns jautājums".

Jauns.lv · 23 Oct, 05:53