Latvia & nearby (65)

Latgale Weekly Roundup: Illegal Migrants, Hunters' Help and a Latgalian Language Dictation

The Latgalian editorial team of Latvian public media LSM has compiled the week's main events in Latgale: the border situation, government money for dismantling a railway, and an upcoming Latgalian language dictation.

LSM (rus) · 14 Oct, 17:55

Riga hosts first NATO strategic communications exercise «Synesis 2026»

The first NATO strategic communications exercise, «Synesis 2026», is under way in Riga. Teams from 13 countries are practising how to counter information warfare using an AI-built model of society.

LSM · 14 Oct, 16:56

Police dog Ertu found 19 migrants and two lost mushroom pickers in October

Ertu, a German shepherd serving with Estonia's Police and Border Guard Board (PPA), helped detain illegal migrants and locate people lost in forests in early October. She works with Põhja Prefecture dog handler Keit Mürg.

ERR (rus) · 14 Oct, 16:56

Saeima committee proposes Latvian citizenship for Ukrainian canoeist Danylo Michuda

A committee of Latvia's parliament, the Saeima, proposes granting citizenship to Ukrainian canoe paddler Danilo Michuda, who has lived in Latvia since 2022. The committee has asked for the bill to be handled as urgent at Thursday's session.

Jauns.lv · 14 Oct, 16:56

Lithuania freezes assets of Russian businessmen Usmanov and Fridman nationally

Lithuania's government on Wednesday approved national asset freezes on Russian businessmen Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman after the European Union removed them from its sanctions lists. The measures will run until the end of 2027.

LRT English · 14 Oct, 15:58

Lithuanian Interior Minister Proposes Banning Self-Employment Status for Foreign Students

Lithuanian Interior Minister Martynas Katelynas wants to stop foreign students from working as self-employed, saying some use student visas mainly to obtain residence permits. Universities and a member of parliament oppose the idea.

BNN · 14 Oct, 15:58

State Security Service: Publishing Public Sector Salaries Would Threaten National Security

Latvia's State Security Service believes that publishing salary data of state and municipal employees would pose a threat to national security. The service said this at a Saeima committee meeting on Wednesday, 14 October.

LSM (rus) · 14 Oct, 15:57

Estonia tests EE-ALARM warning system and measures siren volume in nine towns

Estonia's Rescue Board ran a nationwide test of its EE-ALARM public warning system on 14 October, measuring how far sirens can be heard in nine towns. The results will help decide whether the siren network needs to be expanded.

ERR (rus) · 14 Oct, 15:56

Expert examination does not confirm forged licence in Apšupe crash case

An expert examination did not confirm that the UAE-issued driving licence of the Indian national charged over the Apšupe crash was forged, so the prosecutor dropped that charge. The defendant has admitted guilt for the collision in which a bus driver lost both lower legs.

NRA · 14 Oct, 15:56

Kasparov Warns Putin Has Three Months to Test NATO's Resolve

Russian opposition figure and former world chess champion Garry Kasparov says Russia could attempt a limited incursion into Estonia or Latvia within roughly three months. This is his assessment, not confirmed information about the Kremlin's plans.

Latvijas Avīze · 14 Oct, 14:58

Lithuania adds Usmanov and Fridman to national sanctions list

On Wednesday the Lithuanian government decided to put Russian oligarchs Alisher Usmanov and Mikhail Fridman on its national sanctions list.

TVNET · 14 Oct, 14:58

Tallinn City Archives restores historic goods hoist

A historic freight hoist has been restored to working order in the attic of the Tallinn City Archives building in the Estonian capital's Old Town. It is believed to be the only functioning historic hoist in the city.

ERR News · 14 Oct, 14:58

Kulbergs: No Personal Fear Over Russian Threats

Latvian Prime Minister Kulbergs said after meeting President Edgars Rinkēvičs that he is not afraid for his safety, even as Poland investigates possible assassination plots against two of its senior officials. Rinkēvičs did not comment at length on the Polish case.

Diena · 14 Oct, 14:58

Special Stamp to Mark 150th Anniversary of Teodors Zaļkalns

Latvijas Pasts, the Latvian postal operator, will issue a stamp and a first-day envelope dedicated to sculptor Teodors Zaļkalns. The philatelic issue will be available from 16 October.

LSM · 14 Oct, 14:57

Man shot by police in Pärnu was holding a converted firearm, examination finds

A forensic examination found that the 54-year-old man shot by a police officer in Pärnu, Estonia, held a starter pistol converted to fire bullets. Police say he also fired the weapon, and an internal review is under way.

ERR (rus) · 14 Oct, 14:56

US resumes troop rotation in Lithuania as first 100 soldiers arrive

The first roughly 100 US soldiers have arrived in Lithuania as Washington resumes its rotational deployment there. Two battalions are due to be fully in place by mid-November.

Delfi · 14 Oct, 14:56

ZAAO reminds visitors to sort waste in three groups at cemeteries

Waste management company SIA “ZAAO” is urging cemetery visitors to sort their waste during the All Souls' candle-lighting season and autumn tidying. Signs in municipal cemeteries show where green, mixed and old monument waste belongs.

Ziemeļlatvija · 14 Oct, 13:59

From Thursday, Latvia's Roads Set a 90 km/h Winter Speed Limit

From 15 October, a winter speed limit of 90 km/h takes effect on Latvian roads. The only exception is the Riga–Sigulda highway section, where up to 100 km/h is allowed in very good conditions.

Bauskas Dzīve · 14 Oct, 13:58

Police Seek Charges Against Man Who Shot Suspected Thief With Hunting Rifle in Ventspils Municipality

The State Police have completed their investigation into a June 2024 shooting in Latvia's Ventspils municipality in which a suspected thief died, and have passed the case to prosecutors to initiate criminal prosecution of the property owner.

Delfi · 14 Oct, 13:58

Investigation Completed Into Property Owner Whose Shot During Attempted Theft in Ventspils Municipality Led to a Man's Death

The State Police has finished its investigation into a shot fired during an attempted theft in Ventspils municipality in mid-2024. The case files have been passed to prosecutors, who will consider launching criminal prosecution of the property owner.

TVNET · 14 Oct, 13:58

Latvia Formally Declares Russian Journalist Leonid Ragozin Persona Non Grata

Latvian authorities have added Riga-based Russian journalist Leonid Ragozin to the persona non grata list. The grounds for the decision will not be disclosed, citing national security.

The Moscow Times · 14 Oct, 13:58

90 km/h Speed Limit Takes Effect on Latvian Roads on Thursday

From 15 October, the maximum permitted speed on Latvia's roads is lowered to 90 km/h for the season. The exception is the Riga–Sigulda section of the Vidzeme highway, where 100 km/h is allowed in very good conditions.

NRA · 14 Oct, 13:57

Winter Speed Limits Take Effect on Latvian Roads From 15 October

From Thursday, 15 October, the winter-season speed limit of 90 km/h will apply on most Latvian roads. The exception is the Vidzeme highway section between Riga and Sigulda, where up to 100 km/h will be allowed in favourable conditions.

Latvijas Avīze · 14 Oct, 13:56

Tallinn roadworks overrun schedules, leaving drivers stuck in traffic

Several street repairs in Tallinn, Estonia's capital, are taking longer than planned, with some continuing into mid-November. A deputy mayor admits that procurement began too late this year.

ERR News · 14 Oct, 12:59

The lapwing: a small bird that stubbornly guards its nest

The lapwing is a small bird that defends its nest with great persistence. In autumn, its flocks can be seen on stubble fields and ploughed land.

LSM · 14 Oct, 12:57

Saeima Committee Still Divided Over Letting Municipalities Reject Wind Farms at a Capacity Threshold

A Saeima committee failed on Wednesday to agree on whether municipalities should be able to reject wind farm projects once a set capacity is reached. It will revisit the issue next week.

Bauskas Dzīve · 14 Oct, 12:56

Taurupe Manor Granary Rises From 20 Years of Ruin and Wins Construction Award

A manor granary in Taurupe parish, Ogre municipality, stood in ruins for over two decades before reopening to visitors in July 2025 and winning the Grand Prix of the Latvian Construction Year Award. Long-time parish administrator Jānis Stafeckis discussed the restoration and the local school.

BNN · 14 Oct, 11:58

Anti-corruption bureau has opened 20 administrative cases over campaign activity

Latvia's Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau has so far opened 20 administrative violation cases while monitoring pre-election campaigning. Several political parties and lists are among those affected.

Apollo.lv · 14 Oct, 11:58

Ukrainian national to stand trial over attempt to arrange murder of Latvian border guard in Daugavpils

Prosecutors in Latvia's Latgale region have sent to court a case against a Ukrainian citizen accused of attempting, as part of an organised group, to kill a State Border Guard officer in Daugavpils in 2020. The attack was linked to the officer's work against illegal trade in excise goods.

Delfi · 14 Oct, 11:58

More than three kilograms of drugs found on two men in Jūrmala

State Police detained two men in Jūrmala in early October and seized more than three kilograms of narcotic substances during searches. On 9 October the detainees were remanded in custody.

LSM (rus) · 14 Oct, 11:57

Which EU Countries Accept Latvian e-Prescriptions and Access Health Data

Latvia's Digital Health Centre has compiled a list of European Union countries where Latvian e-prescriptions can be used. The information is timely as Latvian schoolchildren begin their autumn break next week and many families are travelling.

NRA · 14 Oct, 11:57

Martin Eessalu to Head Estonia's Language Board

Estonia's education and research minister will appoint Martin Eessalu as director general of the Language Board. He will take up the post on 1 January next year.

ERR (rus) · 14 Oct, 11:57

Ushakov: Only Members and Congress Can Decide on Liquidating Latvia's Harmony Party

European Parliament member Nils Ushakov says the decision on dissolving the Harmony party rests with its members and congress. He will not attend the congress, as it takes place days before the final vote on the EU budget.

Jauns.lv · 14 Oct, 11:55

New Online Platform Helps Young People Explore Career Options in Latvia

The Latvian Education Accelerator is urging young people to use nakotnesdarbs.lv, a site for exploring professions and taking a vocational interest test, as part of its «Future Work» campaign. The campaign runs until the end of October.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 14 Oct, 11:55