Latvia & nearby
Special Tasks Battalion trains to quell riots and neutralise armed individuals
The State Police Special Tasks Battalion held exercises at the Mežaine training ground, practising responses to mass disorder and armed threats. The goal was to strengthen the battalion's capacity and its cooperation with other units.
TVNET · 8 Oct, 16:58
State Police Special Task Battalion Trains to Control Rioting Crowds in Exercise
The State Police Special Task Battalion held an exercise at the Mežaine training ground with more than 400 Latvian and foreign law enforcement representatives. Participants rehearsed responding to an armed attack at a school and the mass disorder that followed.
NRA · 8 Oct, 16:56
Estonian Spa Association Warns There May Not Be Enough Customers for New Spas
Aire Toffer, head of the Estonian Spa Association, cautions that the spas due to open in the coming years may lack enough solvent customers. Entrepreneur Oleg Gross, however, believes a high-quality product will draw visitors.
ERR News · 8 Oct, 16:56
Turku Daycare Staff Asked Not to Bring Snacks That Could Make Children Envious
The Finnish city of Turku has advised early childhood education staff not to bring snacks that might make children envious of others' food. The guidance has confused daycare employees and sparked debate across Finland.
ERR (rus) · 8 Oct, 16:55
MP Jakovins held administratively liable over violations in issuing sick leave certificates
Saeima member and family doctor Juris Jakovins has been held administratively liable for violations in issuing sick leave certificates. Earlier, the Riga City Court found him guilty of issuing a forged medical statement.
LSM · 8 Oct, 15:58
Bank of Latvia's "Chestnut" collector coin sells out within three hours
The Bank of Latvia says its silver collector coin "Kastanis" (Chestnut) with gilded details was sold out three hours after sales began. Interest in the coin was high.
Jauns.lv · 8 Oct, 15:58
Supreme Court overturns ruling in Kreile case over glorification of Russian and Soviet crimes
The Criminal Cases Department of Latvia's Supreme Court Senate has set aside a Riga Regional Court decision in the case of pro-Kremlin activist Jelena Kreile and sent it for a new hearing. The Senate found the lower courts had not adequately shown that her displays aimed to justify crimes.
Delfi · 8 Oct, 15:58
Influx of State Defence Service volunteers into state-funded places worries universities
Volunteers who have completed the State Defence Service are entitled to study in state-funded places. The number of such places at universities does not rise automatically, raising questions about other applicants' chances.
LSM (rus) · 8 Oct, 15:57
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Kariņš calls Kulbergs a populist and outlines three possible coalition models
Former prime minister Krišjānis Kariņš believes three different coalition models are possible after the next elections. He also described Kulbergs as a populist.
Apollo.lv · 8 Oct, 15:57
Teperik: Ida-Viru County Should Be Pro-Estonian, European and Successful
Security and societal resilience specialist Dmitri Teperik urges that Estonia's Ida-Viru County be judged by its progress rather than its shortcomings. He argues that the next decade is being decided within the next year and a half, as the 2028–2034 national partnership agreement takes shape.
ERR News · 8 Oct, 15:55
The Estonian wooden beer tankard and the brew inside it
The õllekapp, a wooden beer tankard, is a classic example of Estonian rustic craftsmanship. Estonia also ranks sixth in the world for per-capita beer consumption, and its craft beer scene is growing.
Estonian World · 8 Oct, 14:58
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Kaspars Gorkšs to Be Put Forward as State Chancellery Director
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs will propose Kaspars Gorkšs, director general of the Latvian Employers' Confederation, for State Chancellery director. The decision follows the final round of the selection competition.
TVNET · 8 Oct, 14:57
Supreme Court sends back case over glorification of war crimes through Russian symbols in windows
The Supreme Court has overturned a Riga Regional Court decision in the case of pro-Kremlin activist Jeļena Kreile. The case has been returned to the lower court.
LSM · 8 Oct, 14:56
Prime Minister to Nominate Kaspars Gorkšs as State Chancellery Director
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs will put forward Kaspars Gorkšs, head of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia, for the post of State Chancellery director. The government will consider the appointment on 13 October.
Jauns.lv · 8 Oct, 14:56
Opposition Accuses Estonian Government of Borrowing to Fund Promises in ERR Debate
In an ERR studio debate, Estonia's coalition parties said the budget deficit is being reduced, while the opposition argued the government is borrowing to deliver on its promises. The discussion also covered the income tax exemption, Rail Baltica spending and the tax system.
ERR News · 8 Oct, 14:55
Riga City Council Urges Residents to Avoid Parks, Cemeteries and Playgrounds During Storm
A storm is expected on Friday afternoon and may last until Saturday morning. Riga's municipality asks residents to stay indoors unless necessary and to avoid places where trees and branches could fall.
NRA · 8 Oct, 14:55
Russian Rare Earth Supplier Dropped From EU Sanctions List at Estonia's Request
At Estonia's request, one Russian company and one related person have been removed from the EU's upcoming 22nd sanctions package. The company supplies rare earth metals to Estonian processor Silmet.
BNN · 8 Oct, 13:57
Estonia's Interior Ministry: Churches and Congregations Act Must Be Followed
Estonia's Interior Ministry says freedom of religion is guaranteed but the amended Churches and Congregations Act must be observed. It describes the current stage as dialogue with the Estonian Orthodox Church and says no court action is planned.
ERR (rus) · 8 Oct, 13:56
What to Do When You Meet a Dog Without an Owner
Following the dog attack on children in Carnikava, it has been stressed that owners' responsibility cannot be taken for granted. Both children and adults should know how to behave when meeting an unsupervised dog.
LSM · 8 Oct, 13:55
Saeima bans local government councillors from travelling to Russia and Belarus
The Saeima has adopted in the final reading an amendment barring local government councillors from travelling to Russia and Belarus. The ban also covers transit through the territory of those countries.
LSM · 8 Oct, 12:57
Estonia wants drone elective in all high schools
This year 53 Estonian upper secondary schools offer an elective course on unmanned aircraft, with the aim of making drone education available in every high school in the coming years. A shortage of instructors for the practical training remains an obstacle.
ERR News · 8 Oct, 12:57
Bolt Drive Driver Tears Up Lawn in Ķengarags After Ending Up Facing the Wrong Way
In Riga, near Latgales Street, a Bolt Drive minibus driver drove onto a green area after a failed turn. The company has warned the user and says it is ready to cooperate with police.
NRA · 8 Oct, 12:56
Lithuania to urge EU to ban Russian grain transit and sanction agricultural oligarchs
Lithuania will propose that the European Union ban the transit of Russian grain through the bloc. Vilnius also wants sanctions on several oligarchs from Russia's agricultural sector.
TVNET · 8 Oct, 12:56
Wind to strengthen in Latvia on Friday, orange warning to be issued in places
Strong wind is expected in Latvia on Friday, 9 October, and may cause damage in some places. This was reported by the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre.
LSM (rus) · 8 Oct, 12:56
Auers: Record result for the United List is a mandate for change
Political scientist Daunis Auers argues in a commentary that the United List's 41 seats and its first personnel decisions show that change will not remain just talk.
Delfi · 8 Oct, 12:55
Kučinskis: Budget Outline Must Be Ready Before the New Government Is Confirmed
Finance Minister Māris Kučinskis said the main outline of the 2027 budget must be prepared before the new government is approved, to avoid starting the year with a technical budget. The Finance Ministry has drawn up three scenarios and five solutions for compiling the budget.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Oct, 11:58
Estonian teenagers increasingly break into abandoned and guarded sites
Social media posts showing Estonian teenagers entering abandoned buildings and poorly guarded sites have surged, and many point to vandalism and theft. Specialists warn that in an era of hybrid warfare such stunts could become a security risk.
ERR (rus) · 8 Oct, 11:56
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Lithuanian Army to Help Guard Border With Kaliningrad Exclave
Lithuania will deploy soldiers along its border with Russia's Kaliningrad exclave for more than a week. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas made the announcement.
TVNET · 8 Oct, 11:56
Weather Service Warns of Strong Wind in Latvia on Friday
Strong wind is expected in Latvia on Friday, 9 October. In places it may cause damage, the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Centre warns.
LSM · 8 Oct, 11:55
Police detain youth after confrontation at Barona Street playground in Riga
The State Police detained a young man who was involved in an aggressive confrontation on 6 October at the Centre sports quarter on Krišjāņa Barona Street. Police have apologised to the victim for their delayed response and promised to improve how they organise their work.
NRA · 8 Oct, 11:55
Ombudsman Karina Palkova Discusses Human Rights in Latvia on Jauns.lv Show
The latest episode of the show “Jauns jautājums” features Ombudsman Karina Palkova discussing human rights in Latvia. The conversation also covers the rights of the least protected groups in society.
Jauns.lv · 8 Oct, 10:58
Riga Playground Clash With Teenagers Leads to Police Case and a Detention
State Police have opened an administrative case over a conflict between teenagers and a father at a playground in Riga's Centra sporta kvartāls, where a knife was involved. One of the young people involved was detained on Wednesday.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Oct, 10:58
Police detain young man after conflict at Riga Centre sports quarter
The State Police on Wednesday detained a young man who had been involved in an aggressive conflict a day earlier at the Riga Centre sports quarter on Krišjāņa Barona Street.
Apollo.lv · 8 Oct, 10:57
Dispute in Rapla Parish Coalition Pits Parish Mayor Against His Deputy
A conflict has erupted in Rapla Parish's ruling coalition: Mayor Rain Terras demands the resignation of deputy Egle Heinsar, who says she will continue cooperating only if he apologizes.
ERR (rus) · 8 Oct, 10:55
Samanta Ceruka: A Musical Path from School Years to Teaching
Musician Samanta Ceruka has found her musical signature in the sound of the kokle. She performs, works with other musicians and passes her experience on to the younger generation.
Stars (Madona) · 8 Oct, 09:58
Estonian defense investment agency lost nearly €60,000 to fraud two years ago
Estonia's Center for Defense Investments (RKIK) lost almost €60,000 to an email fraud in 2024. Police closed the case without identifying the culprits, and it only became public this week.
ERR News · 8 Oct, 09:57