Latvia & nearby
Hunters Struggle to Remove Damage-Causing Bear in Rencēni
A special permit has been issued in Rencēni, Latvia, to kill a bear that caused damage, but hunters are having difficulty because it applies only near the damage site. The Latvian Hunters' Association considers the current system a good one.
LSM · 20 Oct, 17:32
Estonia's Supreme Court rejects Orthodox church appeal in Tallinn lease dispute
Estonia's Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal by the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church in its dispute with the city of Tallinn over premises at 64 Pikk Street. The lower-court ruling that the lease termination was lawful has now taken effect.
ERR (rus) · 20 Oct, 17:31
Kulbergs: Ministers rate conduct of 15th Saeima election at 9.5 out of 10
Latvia's government reviewed the 15th Saeima election and its supporting systems in a closed session, and Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said ministers scored it 9.5 out of 10. Work on developing the election systems will continue.
Diena · 20 Oct, 16:33
Ad agency Tank to run Estonia's Reform Party 2027 election campaign
The Reform Party of Estonia, led by Prime Minister Kristen Michal, has picked the advertising agency Tank for its election campaign, although the agency has never done political advertising. Riigikogu elections are due in March 2027.
ERR News · 20 Oct, 16:31
Several institutions object to plan to widen border guards' powers to use firearms
Several institutions disagree with draft amendments from the Interior Ministry that would give border guards broader rights to use firearms.
TVNET · 20 Oct, 15:33
Haddaway, Dr. Alban and LayZee Added to Latvia's Persona Non Grata List
Latvia's Foreign Ministry has confirmed that 1990s Eurodance performers Haddaway, Dr. Alban and LayZee of the group Mr. President are on the country's list of undesirable persons. Their planned performance in Riga on 20 November is therefore not possible.
Delfi · 20 Oct, 15:32
Weather watcher Vilis Bukšs: first snow in Latvia could fall in early November
Weather watcher Vilis Bukšs, basing his guess on migratory bird behaviour, suggests the first snow in Latvia could fall in about three weeks. Forecasts, however, point to warmer-than-usual weather in the coming weeks.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Oct, 15:32
Weather-signs watcher predicts snow in three weeks
Vilis Bukšs, a Latvian observer of natural weather signs, said on X on 19 October that the first snow of the winter could come in three weeks. He bases this on bird migration, not on an official meteorological forecast.
NRA · 20 Oct, 14:33
Estonian reservist: daily allowance does not cover lost wages
In an opinion piece for ERR News, reservist Karl Lumiste argues that Estonia's daily allowances for reservists in training are lower than the wages they lose. He calls for a substantial increase.
ERR News · 20 Oct, 14:32
Composer Raimonds Pauls to receive Cabinet of Ministers Award for lifetime contribution
The Latvian government decided at its Tuesday meeting to award the Cabinet of Ministers Award to composer and pianist Raimonds Pauls for his lifetime contribution to music and culture. Several others will receive the award, and 37 people will be honoured with Certificates of Appreciation.
Jauns.lv · 20 Oct, 14:32
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Latvian government postpones decision on shortening agricultural state of emergency
On Tuesday the Latvian government put off by one week its decision on whether to shorten the state of emergency in agriculture. The proposal would end it on 29 December 2026.
TVNET · 20 Oct, 13:33
Higiene pack sets planned for low-income girls and women in Latvia
Low-income girls and women in crisis situations in Latvia are to receive a hygiene pack set from 1 February next year. This is set out in amendments to regulations that have been submitted for coordination.
Apollo.lv · 20 Oct, 13:32
"Horizont" show: animal protection, weather outlook and Narva lamprey
On Tuesday, 20 October, a new episode of the programme "Horizont" airs on the Estonian TV channel ETV+. It covers animal protection, a pizza contest, the weather outlook and cooking Narva lamprey.
ERR (rus) · 20 Oct, 13:32
Woman's story of a stranger in her flat prompts social media debate on locking front doors
A woman has described on the platform Threads how a stranger entered her home, urging people to always lock their front doors. Other users shared similar experiences from apartment buildings in the comments.
Latvijas Avīze · 20 Oct, 13:32
Government allocates €90,000 to repair drainage systems in Talsi municipality
On 20 October the Latvian government approved €90,000 from the state budget's contingency funds. The money is meant to repair damage that heavy rains in July caused to state drainage systems in Talsi municipality.
LSM · 20 Oct, 13:32
Two men killed in car crash near Iecava
A Volkswagen car crashed into a tree on private property near Iecava over the weekend, killing both the driver and his passenger. Police point to improper vehicle equipment, speeding and a gravel road.
NRA · 20 Oct, 12:32
Century-old German warship wrecks off Hiiumaa island pose hidden oil pollution risk
Three German torpedo boats that sank off Estonia's Hiiumaa island in 1916 still hold thousands of liters of heavy fuel oil. A new study says they are not leaking now, but corrosion makes safe removal harder over time.
ERR News · 20 Oct, 12:31
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Saeima committee rejects role for Latgale planning region in managing eastern territory fund
A Saeima committee declined to back a proposal by three lawmakers to make the Latgale planning region the holder of funds for Latvia's eastern territory development fund. The region would have operated under the supervision of the Ministry of Smart Administration and Regional Development.
TVNET · 20 Oct, 11:33
Estonian Social Affairs Minister Withdraws Proposal to Expand Health Insurance Fund Board
Estonian Social Affairs Minister Karmen Joller has withdrawn her idea of adding one more member with scientific expertise to the Health Insurance Fund board. Only two of the board's six members backed the proposal.
ERR (rus) · 20 Oct, 11:32
Tallinn Shelves Pedestrian Bridge at Kristiine Intersection in Redesign Plans
Tallinn, the capital of Estonia, will not build a pedestrian bridge at the Kristiine intersection in the coming years, but still intends to improve the area for pedestrians, public transport and cyclists, according to Deputy Mayor Kristjan Järvan.
ERR News · 20 Oct, 11:32
Publicist files police complaint over Latvian citizenship granted to Indian scientist
Publicist Lato Lapsa has filed a complaint with the State Police alleging possible fraud over Latvian citizenship granted to Indian scientist Divja Kanana Vishvanata. The National Alliance wants the rules for granting citizenship for special merits reviewed.
Jauns.lv · 20 Oct, 11:31
Car crashes in Tīnūži parish, one person injured
A passenger car crashed in Tīnūži parish in Ogre municipality, and one person was injured. Rescuers freed the person from the vehicle and handed them over to the emergency medical service.
OgreNet · 20 Oct, 10:34
Estonia's Centre Party proposes allowing category B driving licences from age 17
The Centre Party's faction in Estonia's parliament, the Riigikogu, has submitted a bill that would allow people to obtain a category B driving licence at 17. If adopted, the change would take effect on 1 January 2027.
ERR (rus) · 20 Oct, 10:34
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Police search for missing Igors Zadorozhko, born in 1971
The State Police in Riga are looking for Igors Zadorozhko, born in 1971, whose whereabouts have been unknown since about 12 October. A report about his disappearance was received on 19 October.
Apollo.lv · 20 Oct, 10:33
Vidzeme firefighters respond to five calls in 24 hours
The Vidzeme regional office of Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service received five calls in the 24 hours to the morning of 20 October. A car engine compartment burned in Valmiera, and roof structures of a commercial building burned in Cēsis.
Auseklis (Limbaži) · 20 Oct, 10:33
Lithuanian president calls for renewed debate on Vilnius metro
An adviser to Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda wants an updated cost-benefit analysis of building a metro in Vilnius, including its potential role in national security. Part of the project could be funded from the EU's new Competitiveness Fund.
LRT English · 20 Oct, 10:32
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Permit issued to kill bear that damaged several farms in Vidzeme
Latvia's Nature Conservation Agency has issued a permit to kill a bear that caused damage at several farms in the Vidzeme region this summer. The animal is said to have lost its natural fear of humans.
TVNET · 20 Oct, 10:32
Jurēvics: New Unity Passed Election "With a Four" and Is Preparing for Local Elections
Edmunds Jurēvics, head of the New Unity (JV) faction in Latvia's parliament, says the alliance made it into the Saeima but its result was unsatisfactory. JV is already preparing for the next municipal elections, which it considers decisive.
BNN · 20 Oct, 09:34
Ogre Athletes Win Two Medals at Latvian Cross-Country Championship
Athletes from the Ogre Municipality Sports Centre won medals at the Latvian cross-country running championship in Carnikava. Ralfs Dzosens won the U20 race, and Karlīna Dzosena took second place in the U14 group.
OgreNet · 20 Oct, 09:33
Saeimas committee rejects initiative to publish public sector salaries
The Saeima's Public Administration and Local Government Committee did not back four collective initiatives, including Delna's proposal to publish the pay of all public sector employees. Saeima lawyers, the Data State Inspectorate and the State Security Service opposed it.
Diena · 20 Oct, 09:32
Lithuania seeks NATO talks on shooting down drones without visual confirmation
Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius says the country wants NATO consultations on rules that would allow aircraft to shoot down airspace violators even without visual identification. The move follows Sunday's incident, when a drone entered from Poland.
LRT English · 20 Oct, 09:31
Latvian Diplomat: Latvians in Georgia Took Active Part in Saeima Elections
Diāna Eglīte, acting chargé d'affaires at Latvia's embassy in Georgia, says the 15th Saeima elections held there on 3 October passed calmly and without serious problems. More than a hundred members of the Latvian diaspora are linked to Georgia.
Latgales Laiks · 20 Oct, 09:31
Man killed by truck near Tīnūži in Ogre municipality; police probe whether another vehicle hit him first
A man died under the wheels of a truck early on Monday in Ogre municipality, near Tīnūži. The State Police are examining a theory that another vehicle struck him earlier and its driver fled.
Jauns.lv · 20 Oct, 08:34
Riga court continues trial of former Rīgas satiksme and city council officials
The Riga City Court is continuing to hear the case against Leons Bemhens, former head of Rīgas satiksme, and Emīls Jakrins, a former acting director of a city council department. Both are accused of malicious abuse of official position.
TVNET · 20 Oct, 08:32
Traffic restricted on Brīvības Street in Ogre until 30 November due to sewer repairs
Sewage connection repairs on Brīvības Street in Ogre, opposite building No. 111, will restrict traffic from 19 October to 30 November. Vehicles will be diverted along Loka Street, where the “Kartona fabrika” bus stop will also be temporarily relocated.
OgreNet · 20 Oct, 08:32
Maintenance non-payers owe the Guarantee Fund over €400 million in Latvia
People in Latvia who fail to pay child maintenance owe more than €400 million in total, a debt owed to the Guarantee Fund. These debts have no statute of limitations, but recovering them can take many years.
LSM (rus) · 20 Oct, 08:32