Latvia & nearby
Linguist Ernštreits: Latvian Is in a Stable Position, but Action Is Needed on Artificial Intelligence
Valts Ernštreits, director of the Livonian Institute at the University of Latvia, says in an interview that the Latvian language's standing is strong, pointing to its status as the state language. He calls for decisions at state level on supplying quality Latvian content for AI training.
LV portāls · 16 Oct, 04:57
Lawyer charged over obtaining free disposal of asbestos slate in Dobele by deception
Prosecutors have sent to court a case against a sworn lawyer accused of deceptively obtaining free disposal of 2.7 tonnes of asbestos-containing slate meant for storm victims in Dobele. The municipality lost 1,197 euros as a result.
Bauskas Dzīve · 16 Oct, 04:56
Vidzeme Experts Discuss How to Improve Heat Supply
On 30 September, heat producers, municipal specialists and industry experts met at the Limbaži Municipality Main Library. The discussion, organised by the Vidzeme Planning Region, looked at making heat supply more efficient, safer and more sustainable.
Auseklis (Limbaži) · 16 Oct, 03:58
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Banker Accused in Russia Invested Hundreds of Thousands of Euros in Government Bonds in Latvia
A former vice president of the Russian bank Klientskiy, who faces accusations in Russia, moved to Riga in 2014. In Latvia he invested hundreds of thousands of euros in government bonds through ABLV Bank and spent money in exclusive hotels.
Apollo.lv · 16 Oct, 03:58
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Fact check: Šlesers talks up Latvia's national debt, but what do the facts say?
Rising national debt was one of the key topics ahead of Latvia's parliamentary (Saeima) elections. It is often raised by Ainārs Šlesers, leader of the party "Latvia First". TVNET's fact-checking section examines which of his claims hold up and which are exaggerated.
TVNET · 16 Oct, 03:58
No rain expected in Latvia on Friday, temperatures to reach up to +15°C
Forecasters at the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre say Friday will be dry across Latvia, with highs of +10 to +15°C. Fog will linger in places during the first half of the day.
Delfi · 16 Oct, 03:56
Estonia gets its first Gap store
US clothing brand Gap opened its first store in Estonia on 15 October, at the Ülemiste shopping centre in Tallinn. It is also the brand's only standalone shop in Scandinavia and the Baltics.
Estonian World · 16 Oct, 02:56
Egg Colour Can Be Predicted: What Hen Earlobes and Feathers Reveal
A representative of egg producer Balticovo said on the TV24 programme that egg colour is determined by the hen's breed and can be predicted from the bird's earlobe and feather colour.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Oct, 23:57
Expert: Estonia and Lithuania Have No National Airline, Yet Estonia's GDP per Capita Is Higher
Pēteris Leiškalns of the Latvian Employers' Confederation questioned on TV24 whether a national airline is essential for economic development. He noted that Estonia's GDP per capita is about 20% higher than Latvia's.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Oct, 22:56
LSM's «Nu i nedelya» show discusses Latvian-language learning, choosing ministers and the PM's changed rhetoric
LSM's Russian-language weekly review programme discussed how to make learning Latvian more accessible and whether a minister should be a professional or a politician. It also covered changes in the prime minister's rhetoric after the elections.
LSM (rus) · 15 Oct, 21:57
First-Graders in Saldus Draw Their Own Takes on President Edgars Rinkēvičs's Portrait
First-grade pupils at Saldus Secondary School added their own drawings to a photo of Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs during an art lesson. The school shared the results on Instagram, where they drew attention.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Oct, 21:57
Estonia Proposes Allowing Dual Citizenship for Native-Born Citizens
A bill has been submitted in Estonia's parliament that would let citizens by birth also hold citizenship of EU countries, the US and several other states. Lawmakers have raised questions about military service, loyalty and the list of countries.
ERR (rus) · 15 Oct, 21:56
Latvian Government Approves Rules on Critical Medicine Reserves
On 13 October the Cabinet of Ministers approved rules for creating critical medicine reserves and delivering them when regular supply is seriously disrupted. Three million euros a year is earmarked for this from 2026 to 2028.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Oct, 20:57
Trade unions urge Kulbergs not to let Dombrava return as interior minister
Two trade unions are urging Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs not to give Janis Dombrava of the National Alliance charge of the interior sector when a new government is formed. The interior system employees' union is also opposed to the minister.
LSM (rus) · 15 Oct, 20:56
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Rīga Stradiņš University debate on four-day work week stresses productivity
At a discussion on moving to a four-day work week at Rīga Stradiņš University, participants highlighted the importance of labour productivity.
Apollo.lv · 15 Oct, 19:57
Former Daugavpils Mayor: "I Am Preparing to Go to Prison"
Rihards Eigims, the former mayor of Daugavpils, who is accused of keeping ammunition and extorting a bribe, says he accepts a sentence for the undeclared ammunition. He denies the bribery charge.
LSM (rus) · 15 Oct, 19:57
Actor Mārtiņš Meiers' brother Kaspars Meiers has died
Kaspars Meiers, the brother of actor Mārtiņš Meiers, has died. The actor announced the loss in a post on Facebook.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Oct, 19:56
Latvia raises maximum prison term for organising illegal migration to 12 years
On 15 October, Latvia's parliament adopted in the final reading amendments to the Criminal Law that increase penalties for illegally moving people across the border and enabling illegal residence. In the most serious cases, the maximum sentence is 12 years in prison.
NRA · 15 Oct, 19:56
E-klase platform down for an extended period on Thursday due to technical problems
Access to the "E-klase" website was hampered for a prolonged period on Thursday afternoon because of technical disruptions. Logging in is possible again now.
Delfi · 15 Oct, 19:56
Drivers' attentiveness tested in Liepāja on White Cane Day
On International White Cane Day, a check in Liepāja looked at how attentive drivers are toward blind pedestrians and whether they know how to act when they meet one.
LSM · 15 Oct, 19:55
Court Opens Case Over Government's Refusal to Approve "K2 Ventum" Wind Farm
Latvia's Administrative District Court has accepted a claim by the company "K2 Ventum" against the government's refusal to approve a wind farm in Saka parish. The company seeks to have the Cabinet's order declared unlawful and a favourable act issued.
Delfi · 15 Oct, 18:57
Jēkabpils school tests response to an airspace threat for the first time
Schools in Jēkabpils municipality are checking the readiness of pupils and teachers for emergencies during Latvia's Safety Week. One Jēkabpils school has for the first time practised how to act if airspace is threatened.
LSM · 15 Oct, 18:56
Senate refers Cuba-based voter's complaint against Central Election Commission to district administrative court
A Senate judge has refused to accept part of a Latvian citizen's application over the Saeima elections, while sending the part concerning the Central Election Commission's conduct to the Administrative District Court. The applicant, who lives in Cuba, had demanded that the election results approval be annulled because he could not vote by post.
NRA · 15 Oct, 18:55
Rumbula to accept old passenger car tyres free of charge from Monday
From 19 to 31 October, old passenger car tyres can be handed in free of charge in Rumbula. The campaign is run by the company CleanR Verso together with Zaļā josta.
LSM (rus) · 15 Oct, 17:57
Supreme Court won't hear Cuba-registered voter's bid to annul Saeima election results
A Latvian citizen registered in Cuba asked the Supreme Court to annul the 15th Saeima election results, saying he could not vote by mail. The court rejected part of the application and referred the rest to the Administrative District Court.
Jauns.lv · 15 Oct, 17:57
Lithuania weighs windfall tax on Orlen Lietuva but fears strain in ties with Poland
Lithuania is discussing a windfall tax on the refiner Orlen Lietuva, which is run by Poland's Orlen group. On Thursday Valis warned the move could harm relations with Poland while bringing only a small budget gain.
Diena · 15 Oct, 17:57
Judins rejects claims of violence against Saeima staff member
Andrejs Judins, chair of the Saeima Legal Affairs Committee, denies opposition MP Linda Liepiņa's claims that he treated a committee employee violently on 13 October. The Saeima administration has received the employee's complaint and will review it.
NRA · 15 Oct, 17:56
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355-Kilogram Pumpkin Wins "Latvia's Biggest Pumpkin Championship"
A 355 kg pumpkin grown by the Eglāji family in Jelgava Municipality won "Latvia's Biggest Pumpkin Championship" on 15 October. The 2018 record of 574 kg remains unbeaten.
TVNET · 15 Oct, 16:58
Drier Weekend Ahead in Latvia, With Night Frosts in Places
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts that an anticyclone will bring less precipitation this weekend, while temperatures in parts of the east will fall below zero at night.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Oct, 16:57
Officials: In a Crisis the State Cannot Help Everyone at Once, So People Must Prepare
At a conference in Rēzekne on healthcare resilience in crisis conditions, Latvian officials said help will not reach everyone simultaneously, so residents must prepare individually. A 72-hour kit and first-aid courses were mentioned.
Diena · 15 Oct, 16:57
Sunnier Days and Colder Nights Expected in Latvia Late This Week
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts that an anticyclone will bring drier weather and frosts at the end of the week.
LSM (rus) · 15 Oct, 16:57
Estonia's Coalition Proposes Dual Citizenship for Citizens by Birth
The governing coalition groups in Estonia's parliament have introduced a bill allowing Estonian citizens by birth to hold another country's citizenship as well. The opposition questions what problem the change would solve.
ERR News · 15 Oct, 16:56
Drier Weekend Ahead in Latvia, With Frosty Nights in the East
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts less precipitation this weekend as an anticyclone takes hold, with frost possible in the east at night.
Jauns.lv · 15 Oct, 16:56
Riga police ask public to help identify people shown in images and video
The Riga East Division of the State Police has published images and video of people whose identities it is trying to establish. Police urge anyone who recognises them or knows where they are to come forward.
NRA · 15 Oct, 16:56
Saeima backs moving MPs' expense compensation rules into the Remuneration Law
Latvia's Saeima approved in the first reading amendments that would move the rules on MPs' expense compensation from its Rules of Procedure to the Remuneration Law. Compensation amounts and conditions stay unchanged.
LSM · 15 Oct, 16:56
Madona to Host Annual Guitarists’ Session From 19 October
The annual “Guitarists’ Session” will take place at the Madona Municipality Cultural Centre from 19 to 23 October, with group lessons, masterclasses and concerts. Instructors include musicians from Latvia and Sweden.
Stars (Madona) · 15 Oct, 15:58