Latvia & nearby
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Kubilius: Lithuania Should Learn to Run Defence Procurement More Efficiently
European Union Commissioner for Defence and Space Andrius Kubilius says Lithuania could learn from other countries how to make public procurement more efficient. The reason is that Lithuania's Defence Ministry spent only about half of its budget in ten months.
TVNET · 16 Oct, 18:31
Indian national gets six years in prison for serious crash at Apšupe junction
The Zemgale District Court in Dobele found an Indian truck driver guilty of causing a serious crash in Dobele municipality and sentenced him to six years in prison. A bus driver and a passenger suffered serious injuries.
NRA · 16 Oct, 17:33
Man detained in Riga over threats against Latvians and Ukrainians on trolleybus
The State Police have detained a man born in 1972 who made threats on a Riga trolleybus to physically harm Ukrainians and Latvians. He is in pre-trial custody, and police are seeking three young women who may have witnessed the incident.
Jauns.lv · 16 Oct, 17:32
Horoscopes for 17 October: Virgo and Aquarius Urged to Stand Firm
Latvijas Avīze's horoscope for 17 October offers forecasts for every zodiac sign. Virgo and Aquarius are advised to hold a firm position, while Pisces is told to postpone important decisions.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Oct, 17:31
Latvia to build €264 million rail link between Riga airport and city centre
Latvia plans to build a rail section between Riga Airport and Riga Central Station at a cost of €264 million. The line will initially connect to the existing 1520 mm network, so Rail Baltica passengers from Estonia and Lithuania will need to change trains to reach the airport.
ERR (rus) · 16 Oct, 16:33
Driver from India Sentenced to Six Years in Prison for Serious Crash at Apšupe Intersection
A Latvian court sentenced a truck driver, an Indian citizen, to six years in prison over a collision with a bus in Dobele municipality. The bus driver was seriously injured and lost both legs.
Diena · 16 Oct, 16:33
US pressured Vilnius to drop support for Trump-critical conference, speaker says
A speaker says the US pressed Lithuanian, Canadian and EU diplomats to withdraw support for the Disinfo 2026 conference in Vilnius. Lithuania's Foreign Ministry has not confirmed that Washington's pressure drove its decision.
LRT English · 16 Oct, 16:31
Thick Fog and Sharp Temperature Contrasts Expected in Latvia This Weekend
Latvian daily Latvijas Avīze reports that the coming weekend's weather will be marked by thick fog and temperature contrasts. The available material gives no specific forecast.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Oct, 15:34
Cyberattack on French Supermarkets Seen as a Warning for Estonia
In the night to 12 October, hackers took over temperature control systems in French supermarkets and spoiled a large amount of food. Estonian experts and a minister say the threat is real for Estonia too.
BNN · 16 Oct, 15:34
Criminal Case Over Border Guard Bribery and Procurement Fraud Postponed After Defendant's Death
The Riga City Court has postponed until next year a corruption and fraud case against seven people because one of the defendants has died. The accused include border guards and company representatives.
TVNET · 16 Oct, 15:33
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Saturday in Latvia to be cloudy with drizzle in places
Forecasters say Saturday in Latvia will be cloudy, with drizzle in some places. Fog is expected to form in many areas overnight.
Apollo.lv · 16 Oct, 15:33
Lantern hike themed on amber to be held on the Pāvilosta coast on 30 October
A roughly five-kilometre lantern hike called “Amber Walk” will take place along the coast of Pāvilosta, in western Latvia, on the evening of 30 October. Registration is open until 28 October, and participation is capped at 50 people.
Jauns.lv · 16 Oct, 15:32
Rinkevics: EU Competitiveness Is a Strategic Security Issue
Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics told an informal meeting of EU heads of state in Slovenia that the bloc's competitiveness is a strategic security matter. He also called for stronger defence and continued support for Ukraine.
Diena · 16 Oct, 15:32
Coalition party Eesti 200 MPs say it should skip Estonia's 2027 elections
Two Riigikogu members from Estonia's ruling-coalition party Eesti 200, Ando Kiviberg and Toomas Uibo, say it should sit out the March 2027 parliamentary elections and focus on 2031. The party council is expected to make the final decision on Sunday.
ERR News · 16 Oct, 15:31
Estonia Seeks Permanent Ban on Russian Gas Transit Through the Baltics Together With Latvia
Estonian Minister of Energy and Environment Erkki Keldo plans to meet his Latvian counterpart to permanently stop Russian gas transit through the Baltic states. If talks fail, Estonia will consider other options.
ERR News · 16 Oct, 14:34
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KNAB opens internal review of large cash gifts from Stepanenko's father to his daughter
Latvia's anti-corruption bureau KNAB is assessing information about large cash gifts from the father of Julija Stepanenko, leader of the "Sovereign Power/Alliance Young Latvians" party alliance. The check is being carried out as a departmental review.
Apollo.lv · 16 Oct, 14:33
Estonia Resumes Industrial Alcohol Production After Five-Year Break
Estonia's only spirit distillery, Estonian Spirit, has begun operating in Moe, after its previous plant in Rakvere was closed in 2021. Its owner says the country needs its own production in case of crises.
Diena · 16 Oct, 14:32
Unity party board resigns after election setback
The board of Latvia's ruling party Unity (JV) has resigned after its weak showing in the 15th Saeima election. A new leadership will be elected at a congress on 28 November.
Delfi · 16 Oct, 14:32
12th Pokrov Charity Fair with Concerts to Be Held at Mere Culture Centre
The traditional charity Pokrov Fair will take place on Sunday, 18 October, at the Mere Culture Centre. Proceeds will support Sunday schools for children at Orthodox churches.
ERR (rus) · 16 Oct, 14:31
Central Election Commission confirms 15th Saeima results: United List wins
Latvia's Central Election Commission officially confirmed the 15th Saeima election results on 16 October. The United List won 41 seats, while the Union of Greens and Farmers fell short of the 5% threshold.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Oct, 13:32
Woman injured in serious Riga crash seeks witness who filmed fleeing BMW driver
After a serious collision near a ramp on Lāčplēša Street in Riga, injured driver Dana and her relatives are looking for a man in a green jacket who filmed and photographed the BMW driver who fled the scene. The witness is asked to contact her family or the State Police.
Jauns.lv · 16 Oct, 12:33
Prime Minister Kulbergs: Private Flights Were Never Needed for Official Trips
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said in a video filmed on a plane that in his four months in office he has not faced a single situation requiring a private aircraft. He called the earlier use of such flights a choice and a waste of public funds.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Oct, 12:32
Latgale Regional Court rejects defence request to challenge judges in Ļubka murder case
The Latgale Regional Court has rejected a defence motion to recuse the bench in the criminal case over the murder of businessman and politician Andris Ļubka.
Apollo.lv · 16 Oct, 11:32
14 illegal fishing nets removed off the Salacgrīva coast
Inspectors from Latvia's State Environmental Service pulled 14 illegally placed fishing nets, totalling 1,230 metres, from coastal waters of the Gulf of Riga in Salacgrīva parish. The fish caught in them were released back into the water.
Diena · 16 Oct, 11:32
Food and Veterinary Service urges eastern border hunters to hand in foxes and raccoon dogs
Latvia's Food and Veterinary Service is asking hunters along the eastern border to hand in hunted foxes and raccoon dogs. Compensation is offered for each animal.
Jauns.lv · 16 Oct, 11:31
Employment agency refuses to extend airBaltic mass layoff period; up to 700 jobs at risk
Latvia's State Employment Agency will not extend the mass layoff period for the national airline airBaltic to 60 days, as a trade union had requested. The company may cut 500 to 700 jobs.
Jauns.lv · 16 Oct, 10:32
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Constitutional Court rules gambling restrictions in Daugavpils compatible with Satversme
Latvia's Constitutional Court has found that restrictions on organising gambling in the Daugavpils administrative territory comply with the Satversme, the country's constitution. Court chair Irēna Kucina announced the ruling at a press conference on Friday.
TVNET · 16 Oct, 10:31
Police seek men seen in photos and video over a possible crime
The Riga East Department of the State Police is looking for men who appear in published video and images in connection with a possible crime.
Apollo.lv · 16 Oct, 10:31
Hare Pelēcis Garausis Finds Permanent Home at Līgatne Nature Trails
A grey hare cared for at a wildlife rescue centre has settled permanently at the Līgatne Nature Trails in Gauja National Park. A fox named Lakija also found a home there this autumn.
BNN · 16 Oct, 09:34
China protests Estonian lawmakers' attendance at Taiwanese event in Tallinn
The Chinese Embassy in Estonia sent a formal diplomatic note to the Riigikogu, Estonia's parliament, over eight members attending a Taiwan National Day reception in Tallinn. The head of the parliamentary friendship group, Kristo Enn Vaga, said contacts with Taiwan will continue.
ERR News · 16 Oct, 09:34
AKKA/LAA Explains Why Roja Puķe Had to Pay Royalties for a Charity Event
Latvia's authors' rights organisation AKKA/LAA says it cannot waive royalties on authors' behalf, responding to criticism from culinary blogger Rojs Puķe over a 71-euro music bill at a charity event.
Latvijas Avīze · 16 Oct, 09:33
Drone-like piloted aircraft to be seen over Riga's Spilve area on Friday
Latvia's Civil Aviation Agency says a piloted aircraft that may resemble an unmanned drone will fly from Spilve airfield in Riga on 16 October. The flight has been approved and complies with the rules.
Jauns.lv · 16 Oct, 09:33
Imants Freibergs' Estate: Family Reports No Disputes, Notary Visit Still Ahead
Imants Freibergs, husband of former Latvian President Vaira Vīķe-Freiberga, drew up his will three years before his death. The estate has not yet been formally settled with a notary, but the family reportedly has no disputes, according to his son Kārlis Freibergs.
NRA · 16 Oct, 09:33
Public broadcaster Radio 4 stays on top among Russian-language radio stations in Estonia
According to market research firm Emor, the public broadcaster Radio 4 is the most popular Russian-language radio station in Estonia. It shares first place with Sky Raadio on weekly and monthly reach.
ERR (rus) · 16 Oct, 09:33
Saeima backs higher maintenance guarantee payments in first reading, but €20 million must still be found
Latvia's parliament passed in first reading amendments to the Maintenance Guarantee Fund Law that would align the fund's payments with the Civil Law minimum. The next Saeima will decide the bill's fate, as about €20 million still has to be found in the budget.
Diena · 16 Oct, 09:32
Lithuania's 2027 budget sets defence at 5% of GDP, deficit rises to 3.8%
Lithuania's government has approved a draft 2027 budget that allots over 4.8 billion euros, or 5% of projected GDP, to defence. The planned general government deficit of 3.8% of GDP exceeds the EU's 3% limit.
LRT English · 16 Oct, 09:32