Latvia & nearby (5)

€1,800 and Other Items Stolen From Two Cars in Ludza Municipality

State Police are investigating two thefts from cars in Ludza Municipality in which a total of €1,800 and a mobile phone were stolen. A man born in 1986 is possibly linked to both cases.

Valsts policija · 9 Nov, 10:10

Conscripts in Latvia's State Defence Service could get state-funded driving licences

Defence Minister Raivis Melnis said soldiers in the State Defence Service could be offered a state-paid driving licence. He gave no timeline, saying an internal analysis is needed first.

TVNET · 9 Nov, 09:13

Estonian developer Invego plans new city district on site of Riga's Skonto Stadium

Estonian real estate developer Invego intends to demolish Riga's Skonto Stadium and build a new urban district there. The company plans to invest about €100 million over 12 years.

ERR News · 9 Nov, 09:13

Smiltene Library Invites Residents to Take Online Quiz for Latvia's National Day

The Smiltene municipal library in Latvia is running an online quiz about Latvia, made up of ten questions, from 9 to 20 November. Three authors of correct answers will receive surprise prizes.

Ziemeļlatvija · 9 Nov, 09:12

Collies, once in huge demand in Soviet times, are now rarely seen on city streets

Dog breed popularity changes over time: breeds that were widespread in the 1990s are now relatively rare. Latvijas Avīze uses the collie as an example, as its lush coat takes a lot of time to groom.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 09:11

Valmiera Municipality to Mark Lāčplēsis Day With Torch Marches, Candle Displays and Memorial Events

On 11 November, Lāčplēsis Day, Valmiera Municipality will hold torch marches, services and candle-lighting events in Valmiera and across the municipality. Traffic in Valmiera will be restricted during the march.

Valmieras Ziņas · 9 Nov, 09:11

Military Equipment Open Day to Be Held in Jelgava's Station Park on Lāčplēsis Day

An Interest Day marking Lāčplēsis Day will take place in Station Park in Jelgava, Latvia, on 11 November from 3 pm to 8 pm, showcasing National Guard and allied military equipment. Entry is free.

Zemgales Ziņas · 9 Nov, 09:10

Two people rescued from fires over the weekend in Latvia, one injured

Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service received 130 call-outs over three days. Firefighters rescued two people from fires, one of whom was injured.

VUGD · 9 Nov, 09:10

Man detained in Riga for attacking a State Police inspector

On 3 November, State Police in Riga's Latgale suburb detained a man born in 1988 who struck a police inspector during a call-out. He has been remanded in custody.

Valsts policija · 9 Nov, 09:10

Police take aggressive café patron home in Ikšķile

In Ikšķile, in Ogre municipality, police restrained an aggressive, visibly intoxicated café patron on the evening of 30 October and took him to his home address.

OgreNet · 9 Nov, 08:13

Latvia Braces for Cloudier, Wetter Weather as Week Runs Cooler Than Usual

Latvia will see dry, sunny weather early in the week, but clouds and scattered rain or snow are due on Wednesday and Thursday. Forecasters also expect strong winds on the coast and occasionally slippery roads.

TVNET · 9 Nov, 08:12

Vilnius Academy of Arts students boycott lecturer's workshops over his support for Israel

Students at the Vilnius Academy of Arts in Lithuania boycotted workshops by visiting lecturer Danas Bereznickas because of his support for Israel. The academy says the workshops were cancelled only because a single student registered.

LRT English · 9 Nov, 08:12

Smiltene Museum to Host Seminar on Cemetery Culture and Historical Heritage

A seminar on preserving historic cemeteries and burial vaults will take place on 12 November at the Smiltene Municipality Museum in Mēri Manor. Participation is free of charge.

Ziemeļlatvija · 9 Nov, 08:11

More Precipitation and Local Snow Expected in Latvia in Second Half of the Week

Forecasters say Latvia will see more precipitation in the second half of this week, with snow in places. On Thursday, coastal wind gusts may reach 18 metres per second.

Bauskas Dzīve · 9 Nov, 08:11

Police chief: lifetime driving ban may not stop repeat drunk drivers

Armands Ruks, head of the Latvian State Police, said on TV24 that a lifetime licence ban would not by itself stop repeat drink-drivers, as some keep driving without a licence. He noted that drink-driving cases have fallen since criminal liability was introduced.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 08:10

Estonia plans to scrap packaging excise duty, but businesses split on draft law

Estonia's government plans to abolish its packaging excise duty from July 1, 2027 under a new draft Packaging Act. The Estonian Chamber of Agriculture and Commerce backs the repeal but criticizes new EU-driven reporting requirements.

ERR News · 9 Nov, 08:10

Patriotic Gourmet Week begins in Bauska municipality with Latvian-style menus

From 9 to 22 November, seven restaurants and cafés in Bauska municipality are serving special menus of traditional Latvian dishes around the time of Latvia's national holidays. The event aims to draw visitors in the tourism off-season and develop gastronomic tourism.

Bauskas Dzīve · 9 Nov, 07:13

Smiltene marks 100 years since its cinema was founded

An exhibition called "Smiltene Cinema 100" runs until 31 December at the Smiltene Municipality Cultural Centre in Vidzeme, Latvia, marking a century since a permanent cinema opened in the town. Longtime cinema custodian Gunārs Liedags regrets that it is now officially called a cinema hall.

Ziemeļlatvija · 9 Nov, 07:11

Saldus Municipality Livestock Farm Owner Accused of Abusing Employees

The TV programme "Bez tabu" reports that former workers at the "Brūzilas AV" livestock farm in Latvia's Saldus municipality accuse its head, Vilnis Štencelis, of emotional and physical abuse. State Police confirmed that a criminal case over bodily harm to a man has been sent to court.

NRA · 9 Nov, 07:11

Pedestrian pontoon bridge over the Lielupe in Mežotne to be dismantled

Dismantling of the seasonal pedestrian pontoon bridge over the Lielupe river has begun in Mežotne, Bauska municipality, ahead of bad weather. It is planned to be installed again next spring.

Bauskas Dzīve · 9 Nov, 06:12

After a Relative's Death: How LMT and Tele2 Handle a Deceased Customer's Final Bill

A social media post in Latvia has compared how mobile operators LMT and Tele2 treated families over a deceased customer's last bill. Both companies told LA.LV that monthly charges do not automatically pass to relatives.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 06:10

Latvia opens several criminal cases over disguised fuel schemes

Latvia's Tax and Customs Police have launched several criminal cases in recent years over schemes in which petroleum products are declared as oils but sold as fuel without excise tax. The European Public Prosecutor's Office is investigating similar fraud.

LSM · 9 Nov, 05:13

Old Riga Building Owner Sues City Over Neighbouring Construction Site, Seeking Nearly €26,000

The Administrative District Court has reviewed a case in which the owner of an Old Riga building is demanding €25,798.41 in damages from the Riga municipality. The dispute concerns part of a street given over to the Richard Wagner House restoration site.

TVNET · 9 Nov, 05:12

Kariņš: Government "Belt-Tightening" During Growth Could Cause Problems

Former Latvian prime minister and New Unity party leader Krišjānis Kariņš says that overly strict spending cuts could stifle the country's economic growth. He noted that foreign direct investment in Latvia has reached one billion euros for the first time.

Bauskas Dzīve · 9 Nov, 05:10

Cooler Air Heads for Latvia: Sleet, Light Frost and Gusty Winds Forecast

The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts cooler air and a stronger cyclone influence from Tuesday. Rain, locally sleet, light frost on the night to 11 November and coastal gusts of 15–17 m/s are expected.

BNN · 9 Nov, 04:11

Quiz: Can You Spot Latvian Towns With the Letter "c" in Their Names?

On 9 November the news portal Apollo.lv published a quiz about Latvian towns whose names contain the letter "c". Readers must tell towns apart from villages.

Apollo.lv · 9 Nov, 03:12

Latvijas Avīze offers a quiz on Latvian holidays and commemorations

The Latvijas Avīze website la.lv has published a photo quiz ahead of Lāčplēša Day on 11 November. Readers must name the holiday or commemoration shown in each picture.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 02:13

FS Jelgava Beat Ogre United 4-0 in Final Match of Virslīga Season

Football club FS Jelgava won 4-0 at home against Ogre United in round 36 of the Latvian Virslīga and finished the season in seventh place among ten teams.

Zemgales Ziņas · 9 Nov, 02:12

Moldova launches power line with Romania and says it no longer buys Russian gas

Moldovan President Maia Sandu announced the launch of the Vulcanesti–Chisinau power line linking the country to Romania and the European grid. She also said Moldova does not buy Russian gas.

Ukrainska Pravda · 9 Nov, 02:11

Estonian honorary consul in Atlanta has spent years promoting his homeland's culture

Aadu Allpere, Estonia's honorary consul in Atlanta, US, and his wife Kristi Vuht-Allpere have long introduced Americans to Estonian culture. They recently hosted a reception with visiting Estonian conductor Kristiina Poska at the Atlanta Symphony Orchestra.

ERR News · 9 Nov, 01:12

Old Riga business owner sues city for €25,798 over Wagner House construction site

The Administrative District Court has examined a dispute in which a building owner in Old Riga seeks damages from Riga City Council over a street section used as a site for the Richard Wagner House restoration.

Apollo.lv · 9 Nov, 01:10

Andžāns: Latvia must strengthen defence and take tougher decisions on Russia

Māris Andžāns, a Latvian foreign policy expert, said on a TV24 special broadcast that Latvia should keep good ties with the US but not rely solely on Washington. He also urged a faster ban on Russian grain transit and an end to trade with Russia.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Nov, 01:10

Government coalition talks no longer rule out working with Šlesers' party

In Latvia's talks on forming a new government, AS deputies await Kulbergs' proposal, and a coalition with Šlesers' LPV is now also considered possible. In the first talks Kulbergs pointed to the difficult state of public finances.

Apollo.lv · 9 Nov, 00:11

Estonian justice chancellor flags conscripts' difficulty reaching a dentist

An inspection by Estonia's Office of the Chancellor of Justice at a Defense Forces Cyber Command unit in Tallinn found that conscripts can wait more than ten weeks for a dental appointment. The office has asked the unit to ensure timely dental care.

ERR News · 8 Nov, 23:12