Latvia & nearby (75)

Estonian court jails Bulgarian driver who brought migrants in from Latvia

The Pärnu District Court in Estonia has convicted a 63-year-old Bulgarian citizen in expedited proceedings of smuggling seven illegal migrants. He received a sentence of one year and ten months, of which three months must be served immediately.

ERR News · 9 Oct, 12:27

Estonia's Auvere Power Plant Out of Action Again, Repairs to Take About Two Weeks

The Auvere power plant, operated by Estonian company Eesti Energia, halted operations on Thursday evening after a fault in its ash removal pipe. Repairs are expected to take roughly two weeks.

ERR (rus) · 9 Oct, 12:27

LSM show discusses coalition and government formation after Latvia's 15th Saeima election

On 7 October, representatives of six parties took part in an LSM programme on how to form a coalition and government after the 15th Saeima election. The source does not say what they said or agreed.

LSM · 9 Oct, 11:28

Bulgarian citizen jailed in Estonia for transporting illegal migrants

Estonia's Pärnu County Court has convicted a 63-year-old Bulgarian citizen of organising the illegal entry of migrants. He received one year and ten months, of which three months must be served in prison.

ERR (rus) · 9 Oct, 11:25

Strong wind in Lithuania knocks down trees and cuts power as storm heads for Latvia

On Friday morning strong wind left about 2,200 customers in Lithuania without electricity and toppled trees, one of which fell on three cars in Klaipėda. The storm is expected to reach Latvia in the afternoon and evening, with an orange warning issued for the Kurzeme coast.

NRA · 9 Oct, 11:24

Deadline for volunteering for Latvia's state defence service extended to 17 March 2027

Latvia's Ministry of Defence has extended the deadline for volunteer applications to the July 2027 intake of state defence service until 17 March. Volunteer applications for the January 2027 intake of 11-month service remain open.

Jauns.lv · 9 Oct, 10:26

Stormy, rainy weather in Latvia expected to last all weekend

Rain fell across much of Latvia on the morning of Friday, 9 October, with gusts reaching 19 m/s on the Kurzeme west coast. Forecasters expect unsettled, wet weather to continue through the weekend and into next week.

Latvijas Avīze · 9 Oct, 10:26

Application deadline for state defence service extended

Latvia's Ministry of Defence has extended the voluntary application deadline for the July 2027 intake of the state defence service to 17 March 2027. The aim is to give young people more time to decide.

Apollo.lv · 9 Oct, 10:25

Live-Fire Exercises at Ādaži Training Area to Run Until 16 October, Louder Noise Possible

Soldiers will conduct live-fire drills at the Ādaži military training area in Latvia on 10–14 and 15–16 October, which may cause increased noise. Latvian and allied forces are taking part.

Auseklis (Limbaži) · 9 Oct, 10:25

Pastor: Cemetery Visits in the Season of the Dead Prompt Reflection, and for Christians Death Is Not the End

In Latvian folklore, the period from Michaelmas to Martinmas is the time of the departed, when more people visit cemeteries. Valdis Vircavs, a pastor in Jelgava, explains the meaning of the harvest festival and the Christian view of death.

Zemgales Ziņas · 9 Oct, 10:25

Eesti Laul 2027, Estonia's Eurovision selection, receives 155 songs from over 20 countries

Estonia's national Eurovision selection, Eesti Laul 2027, has received 155 song submissions from more than 20 countries, including Latvia, Finland, the U.S. and Australia. A blind jury will assess all of them.

ERR News · 9 Oct, 09:27

Man damages building's drainpipe in Liepāja, police assess case

In Liepāja, on Tirgoņu Street, a man broke a building's drainpipe in the early hours of 30 August. State Police are reviewing the materials under the Criminal Procedure Law.

Delfi · 9 Oct, 09:27

Two men sentenced in Dobele: one threatened a woman with a baseball bat, the other gave false testimony

The Zemgale District Court in Dobele has heard two linked criminal cases, one on coercing false testimony and one on knowingly giving false testimony. Both defendants received prison sentences, and the verdicts have entered into force.

Zemgales Ziņas · 9 Oct, 09:26

Three impaired drivers caught on Latvian roads on Thursday

On Thursday, the State Police caught two car and motorcycle drivers under the influence of alcohol and one driver under the influence of drugs on Latvian roads. Criminal proceedings were opened in all three cases.

Apollo.lv · 9 Oct, 09:25

Saeima Elects Dita Remberga to Latvia's Media Regulator Council

Latvia's parliament elected Dita Remberga, previously head of the monitoring department, as a member of the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP). The vote was accompanied by political dispute over the council's independence.

Diena · 9 Oct, 09:25

Reconstruction of Kooperatīvā Street in Preiļi nears completion

The EU co-financed reconstruction of Kooperatīvā Street in the town of Preiļi, Latvia, is nearing its end. Work is due to finish by 31 December, and traffic restrictions remain possible until then.

Jauns.lv · 9 Oct, 09:24

Gorkšs: State Chancellery Must Balance Political Ambitions and Public Interest

Kaspars Gorkšs, a candidate for director of Latvia's State Chancellery, told Latvian Radio the institution should balance political ambitions with the public good. He is currently director general of the Latvian Employers' Confederation.

TVNET · 9 Oct, 08:27

Gorkss: State Chancellery Should Balance Political Ambitions and Public Good

Kaspars Gorkss, director general of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia and candidate for State Chancellery director, says the institution should balance politics and the public interest. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs will put his candidacy to the government on 13 October.

Bauskas Dzīve · 9 Oct, 08:26

Balvi Culture and Recreation Centre Director: A Culture House Is Not Just a Building, People Fill It

Dita Nipere, director of the Balvi Culture and Recreation Centre, talks about the centre's work, the role of amateur arts and the future of small culture houses in Balvi municipality. The interview is part of a LaKuga portal series on Latgale culture houses.

LaKuga · 9 Oct, 08:26

Six-year-old Roj's words touch Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs

Latvian Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs responded on social network X to a post about what a six-year-old boy named Roj said about him. The boy's mother wrote that after watching the PM's thank-you video, her son said both he and the PM are Latvia.

NRA · 9 Oct, 08:26

Roadworks continue on 58 sections of Latvia's state road network

Construction work is under way on 58 sections of Latvia's state roads, according to the state company Latvian State Roads. The biggest traffic restrictions are on the A6, A8 and A2 highways and several regional roads.

Diena · 9 Oct, 08:25

Tallinn University of Technology to Retire Research Vessel Salme

Estonia's Tallinn University of Technology (TalTech) is retiring its research vessel Salme after two decades of service. A send-off ceremony is planned for 12 October at the Lennusadam harbour.

ERR (rus) · 9 Oct, 08:25

State Police Trains to Handle Mass Disorder

The State Police Special Purpose Battalion held tactical exercises at the Mežaine military base in Kurzeme, Latvia. The drills practised rapid response to an aggressive crowd and an armed attacker.

LSM (rus) · 9 Oct, 08:25

Free “Kopā Augšup” parenting education forum to be held in Jelgava on 17 October

The Latvian Parents' Organisation is holding a free forum in Jelgava on 17 October, with expert talks on raising children, child development and family relationships. It is part of the “Kopā Augšup” series, which has already taken place in Liepāja and Sigulda.

Zemgales Ziņas · 9 Oct, 07:28

New Pastry Shop “Place of Taste” Opens in Bauska, Sells Out Entire Stock on Day One

A new pastry shop, “Place of Taste”, has opened on Dārza iela in Bauska, and customers bought its entire stock on the first day. Production has moved to Bauska from Īslīce parish.

Bauskas Dzīve · 9 Oct, 07:28

Rain and Strong Wind Expected in Latvia on Friday; Yellow Warning Issued

Rain is falling across much of Latvia early on Friday, with the most precipitation expected over the central part of the country in the coming hours. A yellow-level warning for strong wind and rain has been issued.

TVNET · 9 Oct, 07:28

Police station building in Jēkabpils closed after ceiling plaster falls

Plaster has fallen from the ceiling in a building of the State Police's East Zemgale station in Jēkabpils, and its use has been prohibited. Staff will work elsewhere until the safety risks are eliminated.

LSM (rus) · 9 Oct, 07:28

Narva Considers Reviving Participatory Budget With Up to €20,000 in Funding

Narva, a city in eastern Estonia, is discussing bringing back a participatory budget programme worth €15,000–20,000 a year. Neighbouring Narva-Jõesuu plans to scrap its own programme from next year.

ERR (rus) · 9 Oct, 07:27

Post-election TV debate weighs whether Latvia and the EU should talk to Russia about ending the war

In an nra.lv television discussion on the morning after Latvia's elections, former foreign minister Jānis Jurkāns and political scientist Andis Kudors discussed talks with Russia, Russian speakers' loyalties and parties' stance on the war.

NRA · 9 Oct, 07:27

Wind to Strengthen in Latvia on Friday, With Gusts Up to 29 m/s on Kurzeme Coast

On Friday, 9 October, winds in Latvia will intensify, with gusts of 24–29 m/s possible on the western coast of Kurzeme. The weather is being driven by a cyclone centred over the Baltic Sea.

OgreNet · 9 Oct, 07:26

Valka Municipality Pupils and Kindergarten Children to Receive Dairy Products Free of Charge

Valka Municipality has applied to a state and European Union support programme to supply dairy products to its educational institutions. The application was submitted to the Rural Support Service.

Jauns.lv · 9 Oct, 07:26

Quiz: 15 questions to test your knowledge of Latvia

The Latvian news portal Apollo.lv has published a 15-question quiz about Latvia. It invites readers to check how well they know the country.

Apollo.lv · 9 Oct, 06:29

Latvian Foreign Minister Braže Starts Process to Declare Russian Journalist Ragozin Persona Non Grata

Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže says she has begun a process to add another Russian citizen, journalist Leonid Ragozin, to the country's persona non grata list. The move ends a dispute with Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava over who should act.

NRA · 9 Oct, 06:27

Ogre Municipality students to be first to study drone technology in pilot project that may go nationwide

Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science is launching a pilot project in which upper-secondary and vocational students will study unmanned systems technology. Students in Ogre Municipality will be the first to take part, and the project may later be expanded across the country.

OgreNet · 9 Oct, 06:26