Latvia & nearby (45)

Estonia to receive €32 million from EU for drone surveillance on eastern border

Estonian Interior Minister Igor Taro said the country will receive €32 million from the European Union to strengthen drone surveillance along its eastern border. He also said illegal crossings from Belarus have risen, but there is no migration crisis.

ERR News · 22 Oct, 14:53

Latvian Parliament Revokes Law Granting Citizenship to India's Vishwanathan

On Thursday the Saeima passed, under urgent procedure, a law voiding the act that granted Latvian citizenship to Indian national Divya Kanan Vishwanathan a week earlier. The reason given is doubt over the completeness of the information on which the original decision was based.

BNN · 22 Oct, 13:54

Prosecutor seeks fines for former bailiff and notary in case of defrauding an elderly woman

In the Riga City Court, a prosecutor has asked for fines for former bailiff Rolands Veinbergs and former notary Inga Muciņa over the defrauding of an elderly woman with a forged promissory note. Prison or probation is sought for other defendants.

NRA · 22 Oct, 13:54

Kučinskis Says He Is Ready to Lead the United List Faction in the New Saeima

Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis says he is ready to lead the United List faction in the 15th Saeima. The faction will have 41 seats, the most in its history.

LSM · 22 Oct, 13:53

Saeima revokes Latvian citizenship granted to scientist Divya Kannan Vishwanath

On 22 October, Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, passed a law under the urgency procedure revoking the Latvian citizenship of India-born scientist Divya Kannan Vishwanath.

LSM · 22 Oct, 12:55

Saeima reverses decision to grant Latvian citizenship to Indian scientist Divya Vishwanatha

On 22 October the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, urgently repealed the law that had granted Latvian citizenship to Indian scientist Divya Kanana Vishwanatha a week earlier. The move follows doubts about her education and the authenticity of her publications.

Delfi · 22 Oct, 12:54

Latvian Armed Forces Warn of Possible Airspace Threat in Krāslava and Rēzekne Municipalities

Latvia's National Armed Forces have reported a possible threat in the country's airspace. The headline names the Krāslava and Rēzekne municipalities in eastern Latvia.

Apollo.lv · 22 Oct, 12:54

Goat at Estonian Hobby Farm Gives Birth to Rare Triplets

A goat named Lucy at Vahtra Hobby Farm in Tartu County, Estonia, has given birth to three kids, although goats usually have one or two. She delivered them without any help.

ERR News · 22 Oct, 12:54

Latvian Army Issues Yellow Alert Over Possible Airspace Threat in Krāslava and Balvi Municipalities

The Latvian army issued a yellow alert on Facebook over a possible threat in the airspace of the Krāslava and Balvi municipalities. Residents need take no further action for now.

NRA · 22 Oct, 12:53

Rail Baltica delay in Estonia cuts technical risks but raises financial ones, says Rail Baltic Estonia chief

Anvar Salomets, head of Rail Baltic Estonia, says postponing completion of the Rail Baltica line reduces technical risks but may raise costs through inflation.

ERR (rus) · 22 Oct, 11:55

Parents of boy shot in Pļavnieki tragedy to appeal sentence in firearm storage case

The parents of a 12-year-old boy killed in Riga's Pļavnieki district last February say the two-year prison term given to a state migration agency employee is far too lenient and plan to appeal. The prosecutor will decide on her own appeal after reading the full judgment.

Delfi · 22 Oct, 11:55

Publisher promises to restore Latvijas Vēstnesis website on Thursday

The website vestnesis.lv of Latvia's official gazette "Latvijas Vēstnesis" is expected to be restored during Thursday, according to its publisher.

Apollo.lv · 22 Oct, 11:54

Saeima removes MP compensation rule from its Rules of Procedure after rent payment scandal

Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, adopted final amendments removing the rule on lawmakers' expense compensation from its Rules of Procedure, to be regulated by a remuneration law instead. The issue gained attention after an anti-corruption check into a rent payment to MP Leila Rasima.

Jauns.lv · 22 Oct, 11:53

Rules on MPs' expense compensation removed from Saeima's rules of procedure

Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, approved in the final reading amendments that remove the provision on compensation of MPs' expenses from its rules of procedure. The area is planned to be governed by a separate law instead.

LSM · 22 Oct, 11:53

Limbaži Hospital Temporarily May Be Unable to Accept Health Insurance Policies as Payment

Patients at Limbaži Hospital may currently be unable to pay with a health insurance policy, because insurers have suspended automatic settlement systems amid announced cyberattacks. Patients must pay themselves and can seek reimbursement from their insurer.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 22 Oct, 10:56

In Latvia, 70.3% of Young People Aged 18–24 Live With Their Parents

Statistics show that young people in Latvia and elsewhere are in no rush to leave the family home after reaching adulthood. In the European Union, the average age of leaving is 26.3.

Staburags · 22 Oct, 10:56

Former Estonian finance minister Lauri to become president's economic adviser

Maris Lauri, a member of Estonia's parliament, the Riigikogu, and a former finance minister, will become President Ülle Madise's economic adviser on November 2. She will leave parliament and will not run in the 2027 elections.

ERR News · 22 Oct, 10:56

Criminal case opened over felling of nearly 400-year-old forest in Rucava

The State Police have opened a criminal case over the felling of an ancient forest stand near Rucava, where a pine at least 377 years old grew. Police are assessing whether a crime took place.

NRA · 22 Oct, 10:55

Talsi Municipality Adopts New Property Tax Rules With Higher Rate for Unregistered Homes

The Talsi Municipality council approved binding regulations on 14 October that set a 1.5% property tax rate for homes with no declared residents at the start of the tax year. The rules take effect on 1 January 2027.

Jauns.lv · 22 Oct, 10:53

Elva Parish in Estonia Weighs Who Should Build a Pool and Spa Complex Costing at Least €15 Million

The council of Elva Parish in southern Estonia has sent the detailed plan for a swimming pool and spa hotel complex to public consultation. The next question is whether the municipality or a private entrepreneur will build and run the project, which is preliminarily estimated at no less than €15 million.

ERR (rus) · 22 Oct, 10:53

Children's Hospital Website Down: Appointments Available by Phone

The website of Latvia's Children's Clinical University Hospital, bkus.lv, remains offline after access restrictions linked to critical PHP vulnerabilities. Appointments are being taken on the free phone line 80708866.

Jauns.lv · 22 Oct, 09:57

Verdict in case of three contract killings and attempt on Vaškevičs' life enters into force

A final guilty verdict by the Riga Regional Court in a case involving three contract killings of businessmen and the 2007 attempt on the life of Vladimir Vaškevičs, a former customs criminal investigation chief, took effect last year.

LSM (rus) · 22 Oct, 09:56

Culture Minister Open to Merging Museums and Higher Parent Fees for Arts Education

Latvian Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis (National Alliance) told Latvian Television that budget cuts, museum consolidation and higher parental co-payments in arts education are possible. He named no figures.

BNN · 22 Oct, 09:56

Children's healthcare in Aizkraukle municipality is available, but physiotherapy and some specialists have long queues

In Aizkraukle municipality, children receive state-funded healthcare without co-payment, but physiotherapy funding is insufficient and waits for some specialists last months. There is no paediatrician in Aizkraukle; consultations are offered in Koknese.

Staburags · 22 Oct, 09:55

Medumi to honour the memory of basketball player Uļjana Semjonova

On 30 October, Medumi in Augšdaugava municipality will unveil a memorial plaque to basketball player Uļjana Semjonova and screen the film "Uļa". Attendees will also be able to meet the film's creative team.

Latgales Laiks · 22 Oct, 09:55

Estonian employers urge parliament not to pass climate law before general election

Estonia's Confederation of Employers has asked the Riigikogu's environment committee not to send the draft climate law to a second reading, leaving it to the next parliament. It criticises how the bill was developed and its unclear costs.

ERR (rus) · 22 Oct, 09:55

Traditional Korean skincare principles remain relevant today

Traditional Korean beauty care is built on prevention, hydration and natural-origin ingredients. A sponsored article explains how these principles have been adapted to modern cosmetics.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 22 Oct, 09:55

Greens and Farmers see no grounds to change stance on Indian citizen's Latvian citizenship

The Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS) sees no reason to change its position on granting Latvian citizenship to Indian national Divya Kanana Vishvanatha. Its Saeima faction leader, Harijs Rokpelnis, said no new facts about her non-compliance with the law have been received.

TVNET · 22 Oct, 09:54

27 Attempts to Illegally Cross Latvia-Belarus Border Prevented on Wednesday

Latvia's State Border Guard stopped 27 people from illegally crossing the Latvia-Belarus border on Wednesday. So far this year 12,281 people have been stopped, and the government has extended enhanced border security measures until the end of the year.

Diena · 22 Oct, 09:54

Culture Minister Puntulis Open to Budget Cuts and Higher Parental Fees in Arts Education

Latvian Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis said on Latvian Television that cuts, museum consolidation and higher parental co-payments in arts education are possible. He did not name any figures.

Delfi · 22 Oct, 09:54

Jelgava Children's State-Funded Dental Quotas Used Up for the Year; Paid Visits Have Three-Week Wait

At the Kronis, Concordia dental clinic in Jelgava, state-funded quotas for children in 2026 are fully booked, and a paid appointment takes about three weeks. Meanwhile, mobile dental care is returning to Zemgale schools after a long break.

Zemgales Ziņas · 22 Oct, 09:53

Hairdresser: Comfortable Hairstyles Are Possible After Age 60

Hairdresser Iveta Lapsale advises women and men over 60 to choose a hairstyle based on lifestyle, facial features and taste rather than fashion. She also explains how to care for changing hair and scalp.

Stars (Madona) · 22 Oct, 09:53

Bauska Museum receives donation on the von Budberg family's life in Budberg

Bauska Museum has received photographs and documents from Donatella Belloni of Rome about the von Budberg family's life, farming and educational activity in Budberg, Bauska region, in the late 19th century. The materials point to a school the museum had not known about.

Bauskas Dzīve · 22 Oct, 08:56

Puntulis: Cuts Possible in Culture Sector, Museum Consolidation to Be Assessed

Latvian Culture Minister Nauris Puntulis has said budget cuts are possible in the culture sector. He mentioned assessing museum consolidation and raising parental co-payments in culture education.

TVNET · 22 Oct, 08:54