Latvia & nearby (71)

Polina Kamlova, Convicted of Financing Armed Conflict: What Is Known About Her Education and Career

Polina Kamlova, a woman from the Rēzekne area, has been sentenced in the first instance to six years in prison in Latvia for financing an armed conflict. She helped raise funds for military equipment for Russian forces in Ukraine, while supporters defend her on social media.

Delfi · 11 Oct, 22:58

Protected bats dying at Liepāja wind farm as company ignores shutdown order

Eighteen dead protected bats were found at the Rapsoil wind farm in Liepāja within two weeks, twice the permitted number. The Nature Conservation Agency ordered the turbines stopped, but the company has not complied and was fined €1,000.

Bauskas Dzīve · 11 Oct, 22:58

Riga to hold seminars on municipal co-funding for building renovation and land plot improvement

Two informational seminars will take place in Riga at the end of October. They will cover city co-funding programmes for renovating buildings and improving land plots.

Apollo.lv · 11 Oct, 22:57

Alleged abuse case involving minor becomes source of political dispute in Riga City Council

A case of alleged exploitation of an underage girl, involving former Riga councillor Mārtiņš Eņģelis, has prompted a police investigation and political disputes in the Riga City Council. A publication about it made the girl recognisable to a wider public, LTV's programme "de facto" reports.

Apollo.lv · 11 Oct, 21:58

Mushroom trip to the Kurzeme coast ends at the Zaķu krogs inn near Jūrkalne

A writer for the Latvian daily Diena's Saturday supplement describes a long mushroom-hunting trip and a meal at the Zaķu krogs inn in Jaunarāji, near Jūrkalne. The inn got five stars in every rating category.

Diena · 11 Oct, 21:58

Green Tomatoes in Autumn: How to Ripen Them at Home and What to Cook with Them

Latvian news portal Jauns.lv has published advice for gardeners on ripening green tomatoes indoors as frosts approach. The article also explains which tomatoes are not worth ripening and includes five recipes.

Jauns.lv · 11 Oct, 21:58

Tallinn Zoo accepts vegetables and fruit from the public for its animals

Tallinn Zoo in Estonia accepts autumn produce such as pumpkins, zucchini and apples from the public. Staff say not everything is meant to be eaten and explain what quality is required.

ERR (rus) · 11 Oct, 21:56

Changeable weather expected in Latvia at start of the week, drier toward the end

The Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts cloudy weather with fog and brief rain early in the week, followed by more sunshine and drier conditions in the second half.

Valmieras Ziņas · 11 Oct, 20:58

18 protected bats found dead at wind farm in Liepāja

Within two weeks, 18 dead bats, a specially protected species group, were found at the SIA "Rapsoil" wind farm in Liepāja, Latvia. That is twice the permitted number, TV3's programme "Nekā personīga" reported.

TVNET · 11 Oct, 20:57

Alleged abuse victim's story used as a tool in political struggles

After reports that former Riga councillor Mārtiņš Eņģelis may have exploited a minor, talks took place on possible changes in the city's leadership. Information obtained by the programme "de facto" indicates the young woman had not agreed to publicity.

LSM · 11 Oct, 20:57

Latvia's Saeima election sees record-low turnout, with just over half of voters taking part

Turnout in Latvia's 15th Saeima election was 51.79%, the lowest in the country's history. Central Election Commission chair Māris Zviedris says responsibility for voters staying home lies with politicians and parties.

NRA · 11 Oct, 20:56

Shopper finds Maxima éclairs with almost no filling

Photos shared on social media show a Meistara marka éclair bought at Maxima with an empty cavity instead of filling. No explanation from the company was visible under the post.

Latvijas Avīze · 11 Oct, 19:59

Serious crash on P16 road near Mazsalaca blocks traffic

A serious crash involving two passenger cars occurred on Sunday on the Valmiera–Matīši–Mazsalaca road (P16) at the 29th kilometre. Traffic is blocked there and detour routes have been named.

Jauns.lv · 11 Oct, 19:59

RFS come back from 2-0 down to beat FS Jelgava 4-2 in Latvian Virslīga

In round 32 of Latvia's top football league, Riga club RFS, a title contender, overturned a two-goal deficit to beat visiting FS Jelgava 4-2. The defeat leaves Jelgava six points behind sixth place.

Zemgales Ziņas · 11 Oct, 19:59

Eleja Wind Farm Impact Report Raises Concerns Over Rundāle Palace Landscape

An environmental impact assessment report on the planned Eleja wind farm in Jelgava and Bauska municipalities is open to public consultation. Experts recommend dropping six Bauska turbines because of their effect on the Rundāle Palace landscape.

Bauskas Dzīve · 11 Oct, 17:57

Riga residents split over turning on heating: some endure damp, others save

A resident of an apartment building complained on social media about neighbours not wanting to start the heating season. Riga has no single heating start date, and the city's largest property manager RNP plans to switch heating on from 12 October this year.

Latvijas Avīze · 11 Oct, 17:56

Off-Grid Solar at a Homestead: Engineer's Experience After Three Years

Engineer Aivis has run a fully autonomous solar system on a property without a grid connection for three years. He shares lessons on batteries, bills and panel placement.

OgreNet · 11 Oct, 16:57

Estonian Op-Ed: Bans Alone Will Not Solve Smartphone Dependence

In a commentary for Estonian public broadcaster ERR, Mikk Artur Mikfelt argues that blanket limits on young people's access to social media and smartphones will not solve the problem. He calls for teaching sensible use of digital tools and points to the role of parents.

ERR (rus) · 11 Oct, 16:56

Riga resident asks why an odd noise comes from gas pipes in his building

A Riga resident posted a video of an unusual sound in his apartment building's stairwell, which he links to the gas pipes. The gas distributor GASO reportedly told him this is impossible, but metal pipes can carry vibration from elsewhere.

Latvijas Avīze · 11 Oct, 16:56

Reconstruction of Jelgava's Lietuvas Road Railway Overpass Begins, Traffic Restrictions Expected

Work to renovate the Lietuvas šoseja overpass above the railway in Jelgava, Latvia, starts on 13 October. Two of the four traffic lanes will be closed between the Pasta iela roundabout and Savienības iela.

LSM · 11 Oct, 15:57

Ogre Municipality Registers Five Newborns in First Week of October

The Ogre Municipality Civil Registry Office registered five newborns between 1 and 7 October, while seven residents died. The outlet OgreNet published the babies' names and the list of the deceased.

OgreNet · 11 Oct, 14:58

New week in Latvia to begin with cloudy, rainy and foggy weather

Latvia's Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre forecasts cloudy, damp weather with rain and fog in places overnight into Monday and during Monday. Daytime temperatures will reach +9 to +13 degrees.

Jauns.lv · 11 Oct, 14:57

RSU study: in research, women are judged on results, men on potential

A study by Riga Stradiņš University found that opportunities in Latvian science are not equal between women and men. Women make up 55.1% of academic staff but remain less represented in leadership roles.

LSM (rus) · 11 Oct, 14:57

New Unity to Hold Extraordinary Congress on 28 November to Elect New Party Leadership

Latvia's governing party alliance New Unity will convene an extraordinary congress on 28 November to re-elect its leadership after a weak showing in the 15th Saeima election. The party won seven seats, compared with 26 four years earlier.

Bauskas Dzīve · 11 Oct, 13:58

ETV+ talk show "Svoya Pravda" to ask whether social status brings obligations

On Monday, 12 October, ETV+, the Russian-language channel of Estonian public broadcaster ERR, will air a new episode of "Svoya Pravda". It will examine how status in society shapes behaviour, including on social media.

ERR (rus) · 11 Oct, 13:58

Shelter Preparation in Vidzeme: Work Under Way in Some Municipalities, Delayed in Others

Latvian municipalities are preparing shelters for emergencies, with more than 26 million euros allocated for the purpose. In several Vidzeme municipalities work is already in progress, while elsewhere it is delayed.

LSM (rus) · 11 Oct, 13:58

Riga's Vermanes Garden hosts memorial event for Gaza victims

On Saturday in Riga, Latvia, a memorial event for civilians killed in the Gaza Strip took place in Vermanes Garden. The annual march was organised by the movement "For a Free Palestine" and the association "Jews for Peace".

Delfi · 11 Oct, 13:57

Jurēvics: Riga City Council Coalition Holds a Majority, No Grounds for Mayor's Resignation

Edmunds Jurēvics, a Saeima member and chair of the New Unity parliamentary group, says the Riga City Council coalition keeps its majority and there is no basis to demand the mayor's resignation. He suggests the opposition's activity may be linked to talks on future coalitions and the distribution of posts.

Latvijas Avīze · 11 Oct, 12:58

Dzērves farm in Vircava grows, processes and shows off its tomatoes to tourists

The Dzērves farm in Vircava, Jelgava municipality, is known for its tomatoes and tomato products, and visitors can see how they are grown in greenhouses. Co-owner Evita Gūtmane says she loves her land and the peace of the countryside.

Staburags · 11 Oct, 12:57

Estonia sees growing interest in the garmoshka, the simplest type of accordion

The garmoshka, the simplest kind of accordion, is growing in popularity in Estonia. On Saturday, 70 players from across the country met at the Oisu community center to play together.

ERR News · 11 Oct, 12:56

Ābelnieks: I Was Ready Not to Be Elected; He Ranks Second Among NA Candidates in Bauska Municipality

Raitis Ābelnieks, a Bauska municipal council member, placed third on the National Alliance list in Zemgale in the 15th Saeima elections but did not win a seat. He says he had expected this outcome.

Bauskas Dzīve · 11 Oct, 11:58

Justice minister proposes changing rules on recording administrative court hearings

Latvia's Justice Minister Edvards Smiltēns has submitted proposals to the Saeima's Legal Affairs Committee to amend the Administrative Procedure Law. They would change the rules on making recordings at administrative court hearings.

TVNET · 11 Oct, 11:57

Former dance-pop singer Ilze Kalve releases book about 1990s Latvia and her band Pamatinstinkts

Journalist Ilze Kalve, who sang in the dance music group Pamatinstinkts in the 1990s, has published a humorous novel about that era. Launch events are planned for 15 October in Riga and 17 October in Cēsis.

Staburags · 11 Oct, 10:58

22 people evacuated overnight from five-storey apartment building in Valmiera

An electrical distribution cabinet caught fire in an apartment building in Valmiera overnight into Sunday, and 22 people were evacuated. The State Fire and Rescue Service reported this.

Apollo.lv · 11 Oct, 10:58