Latvia & nearby
«Liepu Laipas» Guest House in Ogre Municipality Becomes a Popular Wedding Venue
The «Liepu Laipas» guest house in Tīnūži parish, Ogre municipality, hosts 40–50 weddings a year on the banks of the Mazā Jugla. Owner Kaspars Silkāns explains how the place changed and why couples choose it.
OgreNet · 15 Oct, 06:56
Thursday in Latvia: Cloudy With Clear Spells, Brief Rain in Places
The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts cloudy skies with some clearing on Thursday, 15 October. Brief rain is possible in some places during the day.
LSM (rus) · 15 Oct, 06:56
Young Latgale farmer Žanis Agafonovs, 25, wins Ministry of Agriculture award
Žanis Agafonovs, a 25-year-old farmer from Latgale, won the Agriculture Ministry's “Sējējs 2026” award in the “Successful Young Farmer” category. He has grown the family farm from 22 inherited hectares to 80.
Jauns.lv · 15 Oct, 06:55
New overpass and port checkpoint to open on Kundziņsala on 1 November
A new traffic overpass from Tvaika Street and a new port checkpoint at 42 Uriekstes Street will open on Kundziņsala in the Port of Riga on 1 November. The overpass will also be open to residents of nearby neighbourhoods.
NRA · 15 Oct, 05:58
Court bars "VTU Valmiera" from serving part of new Vidzeme bus routes
A court has barred the bus operator "VTU Valmiera" from serving part of the new passenger routes in Vidzeme. The dispute over using a subcontractor in the tender has again reached the Supreme Court Senate.
Apollo.lv · 15 Oct, 05:57
Latvian residents reveal their monthly electricity bills: from 15–20 euros to 400 euros
A discussion on the social network Threads has revealed how much Latvian households pay for electricity. Amounts vary widely, from a few dozen euros to 400 euros a month.
Jauns.lv · 15 Oct, 04:58
Ir Magazine Publishes Ernests Kļaviņš Cartoon "Kur brauksi, kuģīt?"
The Latvian magazine Ir published a cartoon titled "Kur brauksi, kuģīt?" ("Where are you headed, little ship?") by Ernests Kļaviņš on its website on 15 October. The source gives only the title, author and date, not a description of the drawing.
Žurnāls Ir · 15 Oct, 04:58
Surveys show Latvian language gaining importance in daily life as state tightens language policy
On State Language Day, new surveys and policy updates were summarised: after the switch to Latvian-language schooling, 66% of pupils whose first language is not Latvian say their skills help in daily life. Penalties have also been raised and public media rules changed.
LV portāls · 15 Oct, 04:55
Thursday in Latvia: Skies to Clear in Places, Drizzle Possible in Central Areas
Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts rising air pressure on Thursday, with skies clearing in places. Temperatures will reach +10 to +14°C across the country and +10 to +11°C in Riga.
Delfi · 15 Oct, 03:55
Investigation Completed Into Moldovan Money Mule Detained in Preiļi
Latvia's State Police have finished investigating a fraud case in Preiļi municipality, in which a Moldovan national born in 1992 collected 6,000 euros in cash from a woman as a "money mule". The case was passed to prosecutors on 2 October for criminal prosecution.
NRA · 15 Oct, 02:59
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Former Detective Anatolijs Zeiļuks Recalls Crimes of the 1980s
Anatolijs Zeiļuks spent 32 years in Latvia's interior ministry system and helped solve some of the most high-profile crimes of the 1980s. In an interview with TVNET+ he reveals previously unknown details, and one case still haunts him.
TVNET · 15 Oct, 02:57
Latvia's prime minister backs expulsion of Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has urged great caution toward independent Russian journalism and backed the decision to expel Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin. Ragozin calls the move political persecution.
Meduza · 15 Oct, 02:57
Cipruss: Discomfort From Major Infrastructure Projects Fades Over Time
Kaspars Cipruss, Secretary General of the Latvian Basketball Association, said on TV24 that hardships caused by big infrastructure projects in Riga are not a reason to abandon them. He cited the Southern Bridge and spoke of a possible new Daugava bridge between Mangaļsala and Bolderāja.
Latvijas Avīze · 15 Oct, 01:57
Latvia introduces criminal liability for bid-rigging cartels in public procurement
From 15 October, people in Latvia who take part in prohibited agreements in large public procurements face criminal penalties, including up to five years in prison. Until now, only administrative liability applied to cartels.
LV portāls · 15 Oct, 01:55
United List wins 41 Saeima seats, but government talks have yet to begin
The United List will hold 41 of 100 seats in the next Saeima, an outcome without precedent in Latvian history. Party politician Andris Kulbergs wants a government formed quickly, yet consultations with other parties have not started.
Žurnāls Ir · 15 Oct, 00:58
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Riga City Council Allows Rīgas nami to Borrow €22 Million for Central Market Development
Riga City Council deputies on Wednesday backed a plan to let the company SIA Rīgas nami borrow more than €22 million for the development of the Central Market.
TVNET · 14 Oct, 23:56
Poll: No clear favourite for Latvia's next coalition, minority government has little support
A SKDS poll commissioned by the programme "Kas notiek Latvijā?" shows that opinions on the next government's make-up are split. The most popular option is a coalition of the United List, the National Alliance and New Unity.
LSM · 14 Oct, 22:57
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Police in Riga search for 19-year-old who escaped from a station
The State Police actively searched Riga on Wednesday for a 19-year-old man who got out of a police station after being detained. The case was reported by the TV3 programme "Degpunktā".
Apollo.lv · 14 Oct, 21:57
Saeima committee backs enshrining Latvian Radio and Latvian Television names in law
A Saeima committee backed, for first reading, amendments that would legally secure the preservation of the names "Latvijas Radio" and "Latvijas Televīzija".
TVNET · 14 Oct, 21:56
Tartu school and toy museum mark Teddy Bear Day
Teddy Bear Day, when people bring a favourite toy along, is marked in many countries in mid-October. In Tartu, Estonia, first-graders at Raatuse School brought their bears to class.
ERR (rus) · 14 Oct, 21:56
President Rinkēvičs satisfied with pace of forming new government
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs said on Wednesday, after meeting Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs, that he is satisfied with work on forming the next government. He stressed that the cabinet should serve its full four-year term.
NRA · 14 Oct, 21:55
Competition Council to review Virši-A plan to take over four fuel stations
Latvia's Competition Council is assessing whether Virši-A's planned lease of four former Astarte-nafta stations would harm competition in the fuel market. A decision is due within a month of 1 October, though the deadline can be extended.
Staburags · 14 Oct, 20:57
Estonian opposition files no-confidence motion against Mihal government; vote expected on 19 October
Estonia's opposition parties have filed a no-confidence motion against Prime Minister Kristen Michal's government in the Riigikogu. Reform Party caucus chair Õnne Pillak denies any deal with the Social Democrats, who did not join the move.
ERR (rus) · 14 Oct, 20:56
Structural engineer and construction supervisor testify in Zolitūde criminal case
At the regional court, which is hearing the Zolitūde tragedy criminal case for a second time, building engineer Ivars Sergets and construction supervisor Mārtiņš Draudiņš gave testimony on Wednesday. Hearing the defendants' statements is due to be completed in a week.
LSM · 14 Oct, 20:56
Jelgava Municipality Stage of “Latvia’s Strongest School 2026” Held in Valgunde
The Jelgava Municipality stage of Latvia’s school bench press championship took place at Valgunde sports hall on 13 October. Mikuss Medvedevs won the boys’ category with 100 kilograms, and Marina Šipuļina won the girls’ category with 32.5 kilograms.
Zemgales Ziņas · 14 Oct, 19:58
Latvian Woman Lands Job 15 Minutes After Sending CV – Swedish Language Skills Made the Difference
A Latvian resident wrote on the social network Threads that an employer phoned her 15 minutes after she sent her CV, crediting her Swedish. The story has prompted discussion of unemployment, vacancies and skills mismatch in Latvia's labour market.
Latvijas Avīze · 14 Oct, 19:57
Heating season begins in Latvia: bills to rise 10–15%, but not all radiators are warm yet
The heating season has started in Latvia, and most residents will face bills that are on average 10–15% higher this season, in places up to 25%. Property managers in several towns describe resident complaints and how heating is switched on.
NRA · 14 Oct, 19:56
Heating bills in Latvia to rise 10–15% this season, in places up to 25%
Latvia's heating season has begun, and bills for most residents will be around 10–15% higher, in some places up to 25%. Many people complain of cold flats, while heating in Ikšķile will be cheaper.
Latvijas Avīze · 14 Oct, 18:57
Legionella found in water of Liepāja apartment building, one resident falls ill
Legionella bacteria have been detected in the water of an apartment building in Liepāja, and one resident has contracted Legionnaires' disease. The building's manager disinfected the water pipes after the infection was identified.
TVNET · 14 Oct, 18:57
Latvia's Saeima plans to remove deputies' expense compensation rule from its procedural code
The Saeima's Legal Affairs Committee is fast-tracking amendments that would move the regulation of MPs' compensation into the remuneration law. The annotation says no new compensation amounts or conditions are being introduced.
NRA · 14 Oct, 18:57
Latvia to launch free multidimensional family therapy
From October, free multidimensional family therapy will be available in Riga and nine Latvian regions for families with 11–17-year-olds facing behavioural or other difficulties. The Ministry of Welfare and the Latvian SOS Children's Villages Association are introducing the service.
Stars (Madona) · 14 Oct, 18:56
Kulbergs: Latvia Cannot Currently Ban Russian Grain Transit
Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs said the country can currently neither raise rail infrastructure fees for Russian grain transit by 300% nor ban it outright, citing the risk of lawsuits. He said decisions should be made at the European level.
ERR (rus) · 14 Oct, 18:56
Jelgava residents invited to help fill food parcels in autumn charity drive
On Saturday, 17 October, the 20th food parcel drive will run in 53 Rimi stores across Latvia. Donations can also be made at the Vivo centre store in Jelgava and online.
Jauns.lv · 14 Oct, 18:56
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Saeima committee asks for urgent review of bill granting Latvian citizenship to Indian scientist
A Saeima committee has asked that a bill granting Latvian citizenship to Indian scientist Divya Kanana Vishwanath be placed on Thursday's agenda and handled as urgent.
TVNET · 14 Oct, 17:57
Lejasciems Lutheran Congregation Marks 145th Anniversary
On 4 October, the Lutheran congregation of Lejasciems in Gulbene municipality marked 145 years of existence with a harvest festival service. Pastor Jānis Zvirgzdiņš received his pastoral office cross during the service.
Auseklis (Limbaži) · 14 Oct, 17:57
Hay bale fire in Bauska, truck and car collide in Iecava
Rescuers of Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service put out a burning hay bale in Bauska on the evening of 12 October and responded to a truck–car collision in Iecava on 13 October. The service's Zemgale region received 14 calls over two days.
Bauskas Dzīve · 14 Oct, 17:56