Latvia & nearby (59)

Ošlejs and Kivičs clash over Latvia's problems in post-election debate

In a post-election discussion hosted by the Latvian outlet nra.lv, economist Jānis Ošlejs and musician Andris Kivičs argued sharply over whether pointing out problems means claiming everything in Latvia is bad. Kivičs demanded a public apology if the recording confirms what he said.

NRA · 17 Oct, 07:32

Valka Seniors’ Club “Zelta Rudens” Gains Association Status and Plans to Revive Activities

The Valka seniors’ club “Zelta Rudens” has been registered as an association and wants to resume active work after a quieter period. New leader Maija Puķīte plans to recruit members, organise events and write funding projects.

Ziemeļlatvija · 17 Oct, 07:32

Data inspectorate: healthcare providers must justify why they hold patient data

Latvia's Data State Inspectorate says medical institutions must be able to justify the purpose, duration and protection of patient data processing. Photographing patients and sending data is allowed, but it must be done securely.

Bauskas Dzīve · 17 Oct, 07:31

One dead, one injured in shooting in Märjamaa Parish, Estonia

On Friday, a 72-year-old man was killed and a 70-year-old woman seriously wounded in a shooting at a farmstead in Märjamaa Parish, Rapla County, Estonia. A 73-year-old suspect was detained in Jüri.

ERR (rus) · 17 Oct, 05:33

Driver killed in truck and car collision in Ropaži Municipality

A truck and a passenger car collided in Ropaži Municipality, near Riga, on Friday. The driver of the passenger car died.

Apollo.lv · 17 Oct, 05:33

Survey: What Latvians Keep Hidden at Home From Other People's Eyes

A recent survey shows that more than half of Latvia's residents want an orderly home that reflects their personality. Behind the tidy surface, however, many keep things they would rather not show others.

TVNET · 17 Oct, 05:32

Bauska Municipality Evaluates Staff Every Year, Affecting Pay and Extra Leave

Bauska Municipality in Latvia assesses its employees annually, and the result influences the variable part of pay and extra leave days. Local officials say the system shows which staff need to develop further.

Bauskas Dzīve · 17 Oct, 05:31

Vandalism and infrastructure problems across Latvia: from wrecked toilets to a closed police building in Jēkabpils

Over the past week, vandalism has been reported in Ventspils, Valmiera and Mārupe, while residents in Bauska municipality complain about damaged roads. In Jēkabpils, a State Police station building has been closed.

Jauns.lv · 17 Oct, 05:31

Economist Vītols: Small Savings Won't Be Enough for Latvia's Budget, Structural Change Needed

Economist Guntars Vītols said on TV24 that rising defence spending is putting pressure on Latvia's budget and that symbolic savings will not solve it. He argues the whole system of state spending needs to be reviewed.

Latvijas Avīze · 17 Oct, 04:34

Estonia's unemployment falls to pre-pandemic level, but labour shortage keeps pushing wages up

Registered unemployment in Estonia was 13% lower in September than a year earlier, returning to pre-Covid levels. A shortage of skilled workers continues to drive wage growth.

ERR (rus) · 17 Oct, 04:34

Saturday to start foggy in Latvia, with sunny spells later in the day

Saturday morning in Latvia will bring fog and haze in places, with skies partly clearing during the day. Temperatures will reach +9 to +13 degrees, and light rain is possible in the northwest in the evening.

Delfi · 17 Oct, 04:32

Pakruojis Manor in Lithuania Offers Special Deals for Seniors in October

Pakruojis Manor in northern Lithuania is dedicating all of October to seniors, marking the International Day of Older Persons. The manor is hosting its first autumn harvest and art festival, "Baroque Autumn".

Bauskas Dzīve · 17 Oct, 04:31

Puče: Rinkēvičs Should Stand Behind Kulbergs, Not in Front

Journalist Armands Puče said on TV24 that President Edgars Rinkēvičs should back Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs rather than think about another term. He praised Kulbergs' competence but criticised the president's role.

Latvijas Avīze · 17 Oct, 03:34

Family Cutlet Recipe from the Tārgale Area, Refined Over Decades

The Latvian news portal TVNET has published an authentic cutlet recipe from the Tārgale area of Latvia. The outlet says it has been refined over decades and is still in demand.

TVNET · 17 Oct, 03:32

Fact Check: Šlesers' Claims About Latvia's Public Debt Put to the Test

The news portal Apollo.lv is fact-checking statements by Ainārs Šlesers, leader of the party Latvia First, about the national debt. The topic featured in campaigning ahead of the Saeima elections.

Apollo.lv · 17 Oct, 02:32

Reconstructed Mäo Road Junction in Estonia Opens, but Bus Passengers Still Lack a Proper Toilet

In Mäo, a village in Estonia's Järva County, a rebuilt transport junction with five bus stops and two roundabouts has opened. Passengers still have no full toilet facility, only a temporary container.

ERR (rus) · 17 Oct, 01:34

Unions split over airBaltic layoffs: one cites pressure, another sees no threats

Latvia's national airline airBaltic plans to dismiss several hundred employees, and unions view the process differently. One union speaks of constant pressure, another of normal communication, while the company says decisions must be made quickly.

Delfi · 17 Oct, 01:34

Around 30 Members Leave Latvia's “For Latvia's Development”, Including Mārupe Mayor Aivars Osītis

Aivars Osītis, chair of the Mārupe municipal council, has left the party “For Latvia's Development” together with five councillors and the entire Mārupe branch, around 30 people in all. Party leader Juris Pūce links the departures to poor election results.

Jauns.lv · 17 Oct, 01:33

Latvian daily's quiz tries to guess readers' income from nine answers

The Latvian newspaper Latvijas Avīze has published a nine-question quiz on its la.lv website that tries to guess how much a person earns from answers about everyday attitudes. The first question concerns attitudes to credit and loans.

Latvijas Avīze · 17 Oct, 00:32

New rules on critical medicine reserves take effect in Latvia for emergencies

Latvian Cabinet Regulation No. 631 on critical medicine reserves enters into force on 17 October, aiming to keep key medicines available during a national or public threat. The National Health Service is responsible for managing the stockpiles.

LV portāls · 17 Oct, 00:31

Cloudy Saturday with clear spells expected in Estonia, up to +14 degrees

Estonian forecasters expect cloudy weather with clear spells on Saturday. Daytime temperatures will range from +10 to +14 degrees, and the rain zone will shift to eastern regions.

ERR (rus) · 16 Oct, 22:33

About 30 members leave Latvia's “Latvijas attīstībai” party, including the head of Mārupe municipality

Aivars Osītis, chair of the Mārupe municipal council, five other councillors and the party's entire Mārupe branch have left the party “Latvijas attīstībai”. Artis Pabriks and Vjačeslavs Dombrovskis have also left its board.

Latvijas Avīze · 16 Oct, 21:32

Winners of Endzelīns language contest on dialect words and place names announced

A contest run by Jānis Endzelīns Kauguri Primary School, in which a jury assessed 39 student entries about dialect words and place names, has named its winners. First place went to Anete Alberta of Riga.

Delfi · 16 Oct, 21:31

Narva authorities plan to revive municipal newspaper; opposition sees party propaganda

The ruling coalition in Narva, Estonia, has decided to relaunch a municipal newspaper and set aside €30,000 for it. The opposition argues that, ahead of the Riigikogu elections, it will serve as a vehicle for party propaganda.

ERR (rus) · 16 Oct, 21:31

Paēdušai Latvijai Food Drive at 53 Rimi Stores Asks Shoppers to Donate Food

The Paēdušai Latvijai food bank launches a donation drive on 17 October in 53 Rimi stores across Latvia. Shoppers can add products to their purchases for people struggling to make ends meet.

LSM (rus) · 16 Oct, 20:33

Social media post warns of Vinted scam: a photo of a sweater instead of the sweater

A Threads user has warned about listings on the second-hand marketplace Vinted where a buyer pays 140 euros for a branded sweater but receives only a picture of it. The post sparked a discussion about buyer protection and careful online shopping.

Latvijas Avīze · 16 Oct, 20:32

Drone helps find mushroom picker lost in forest near Riga

On the evening of 15 October, Riga Municipal Police used a thermal-camera drone to locate a mushroom picker lost in a forest, whose phone battery had died. She was taken to a safe place outside the woods.

Jauns.lv · 16 Oct, 20:32

Indriksone: Latvia Aims to Build a New Culture of Lifelong Learning

Latvia's Minister of Education and Science Ilze Indriksone told an informal meeting of EU education ministers that the country wants a new lifelong learning culture. Under it, the state, employers, educational institutions and residents would share responsibility for developing skills throughout life.

TVNET · 16 Oct, 20:31

Latvian parliament grants citizenship for special merit to Indian-born scientist

On 15 October the Saeima, Latvia's parliament, granted citizenship to Indian-born scientist Divya Kanana Vishvanata for special services to the state. Such cases are relatively rare, but they are one way Latvia can attract highly qualified specialists.

LSM · 16 Oct, 20:31

Constitutional Court backs Daugavpils council in dispute with gambling industry

Latvia's Constitutional Court has allowed Daugavpils to push gambling halls out of the city centre and residential areas. The ruling changes the rules for all municipalities in the country.

LSM (rus) · 16 Oct, 19:32

Police in Riga search for missing woman Kristina Jefimova

The State Police are searching for Kristina Jefimova, a woman born in 1997, who left her home in Riga on 13 October and has not been located since. Police ask anyone with information to call 112.

NRA · 16 Oct, 19:31

Head-on collision between a car and a truck on the A4 highway near Riga leaves at least one dead

A car and a truck collided head-on on Friday, 16 October, on the A4 highway between Līči and Upeslejas near Riga. According to eyewitnesses, at least one person died, and traffic at the scene is hampered.

Latvijas Avīze · 16 Oct, 18:33

Baltic States and Poland Ask for Dedicated EU Funding for Rail Baltica in Next Budget

The leaders of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania and Poland submitted a letter at a European Council meeting in Brussels. They ask for earmarked money for the Rail Baltica railway in the EU's next multi-year budget, citing security and military mobility.

Diena · 16 Oct, 18:32

Nikus Endziņš Sentenced to Four Years in Prison; Partner Sindija Bokāne Vows to Fight

A Latvian court has sentenced Niks Endziņš to four years in prison over the illegal acquisition and possession of a large quantity of narcotics with intent to sell. His partner, influencer Sindija Bokāne, says they will try to have the sentence reduced.

BNN · 16 Oct, 18:32