Latvia & nearby
Tartu football club Welco urges parliament to raise state funding for coaches' pay
Estonian club Welco has asked the parliamentary culture committee to increase state support for coaches' wages in the 2027 budget. The club says support per coach is shrinking while clubs shoulder a growing share of costs.
ERR (rus) · 8 Oct, 09:57
Voters in the Nereta area turn out in force, with young people encouraged by school mock elections
On Saeima election day, polling stations in Mazzalve, Sproģi and Nereta saw steady turnout, and commission heads noticed many young voters. Some people had already decided in advance, while others were still weighing their choice.
Staburags · 8 Oct, 09:56
Estonian Major General Palm to Chair Board of Jēkabpils Explosives Plant Developer
Wolfram Europa, which plans to build an explosives plant in Jēkabpils, has appointed retired Estonian Major General Veiko-Vello Palm as chairman of its board. The company aims to become Europe's largest explosives producer.
BNN · 8 Oct, 09:56
Smiltene Municipality to Showcase Seven Local Sites in Seven-Week Story Series
Ahead of Latvia's national holiday, Smiltene Municipality will launch a seven-week series of stories about its museums and historic sites. The first story focuses on the "Mājvieta" local history exhibition in Vidaga, Viresi Parish.
Ziemeļlatvija · 8 Oct, 09:55
Jelgava Lielupe Secondary School to join cultural and civic participation project
Jelgava Lielupe Secondary School has been selected for a European Social Fund Plus project that uses cultural events to encourage civic participation. The school will focus on young people's daily lives without smartphones.
Zemgales Ziņas · 8 Oct, 09:55
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"Dod pieci!" Charity Marathon to Focus on Mental Health This Year
This year's "Dod pieci!" charity marathon will turn attention to the mental health of Latvian society. The news agency LETA was told this by an LSM spokesperson.
TVNET · 8 Oct, 08:57
Rugby club “Livonia” representatives visit Grundzale primary school
During Career Week, the manager of rugby club “Livonia” and two players who graduated from the school visited Grundzale primary school. Pupils learned about rugby and took part in a training session.
Ziemeļlatvija · 8 Oct, 08:57
Report: One Russian Firm Removed from New EU Sanctions Package at Estonia's Request
A Radio Free Europe journalist claims a Russian company supplying rare earth metals to Estonia's Silmet was dropped from the draft 22nd EU sanctions package at Estonia's request. ERR has not yet been able to verify the claim.
ERR (rus) · 8 Oct, 08:56
Air in Latvia to warm up to +20 degrees for the last time this year
On Thursday, 8 October, air temperatures in Latvia will rise to +15..+20 degrees for the last time this year, forecasters say.
LSM (rus) · 8 Oct, 08:55
23-Year-Old Takes Over Grandfather's Shiitake Mushroom Farm Garīkas
The Garīkas shiitake farm is marking its 35th anniversary, and its management has passed from Andris Vjaksa to his grandson Gustavs Riekstiņš. At the LLKC Novada garša contest, the farm won gold for dried mushrooms and silver for mushroom powder.
Kurzemnieks · 8 Oct, 08:55
Thursday to bring Latvia's last +20 degree day of the year
Forecasters expect air temperatures in Latvia to reach +15..+20 degrees on 8 October for the last time this year. Cooler and at times rainy weather is expected for the rest of the month.
NRA · 8 Oct, 08:55
Wind Farm Planned in Birzgale Parish: Residents Can Submit Comments by 8 November
A wind farm called "Stelpe 1", with up to 11 turbines and roughly 77 MW of capacity, is planned in part in Birzgale Parish, Ogre Municipality. Written proposals on the local plan and the Environmental Report draft can be submitted until 8 November.
OgreNet · 8 Oct, 08:55
Jelgava Continues Meetings Between Neighbourhood Residents and City Leadership
Jelgava's municipality is continuing a series of resident meetings launched last year. Residents of the Centre and Māra neighbourhoods met the council leadership on 6 October, and two more meetings are scheduled for 8 October.
Zemgales Ziņas · 8 Oct, 08:55
Kurzemnieks Opens Newspaper Subscriptions for the Coming Year
The newspaper Kurzemnieks is inviting readers to subscribe for next year, noting that a full-year subscription placed by 25 October is cheaper. Subscriptions can be made at the editorial office, the post, online or by phone.
Kurzemnieks · 8 Oct, 07:57
Three defendants in Zolitude tragedy case not ready to testify
The hearing of testimony from five defendants has begun in the criminal case over the Zolitude tragedy. Three of them turned out not to be ready to give evidence.
LSM (rus) · 8 Oct, 07:57
MEP Kalniete: Russia's Regime Must Be Fully Isolated
The European Parliament is set to vote on a resolution declaring Russia's State Duma elections undemocratic and calling for the regime's political and diplomatic isolation. Latvian MEP Sandra Kalniete led its drafting.
Bauskas Dzīve · 8 Oct, 07:57
Expert: Any Dog Can Bite, Even the Calmest
After an incident in Carnikava in which dogs bit kindergarten children, a veterinary specialist reminds pet owners to keep rabies vaccinations up to date. The dogs involved had not been revaccinated on time.
Staburags · 8 Oct, 07:57
Estonian Orthodox Church and Pühtitsa Convent turn to European Court of Human Rights over church law
The Estonian Orthodox Christian Church and the Pühtitsa Convent have filed complaints with the European Court of Human Rights over amendments to the Churches and Congregations Act. The law requires severing ties with the Russian Orthodox Church by 28 December.
ERR (rus) · 8 Oct, 07:55
Elizabete Takes Second Place at Latgalian Poetry Slam with "Strong Women" Cycle
Elizabete, whose real name is Ilze Vovka, won second place at the Latgalian-language poetry slam "Rogovkys dzejis voga" and performed three poems from her cycle "Stypruos sīvītis". The portal lakuga.lv offers the poems to read and to watch on video.
LaKuga · 8 Oct, 07:55
How to Set House Rules for Shared Spaces in an Apartment Building
Rules for shared areas in an apartment building are set by the owners' community, not the property manager. Such a decision needs the backing of two thirds of all apartment owners, explains Dace Vārna of the association “Mājoklis”.
LV portāls · 8 Oct, 06:58
Dry, warm weather expected in Latvia on Thursday, with rain and gusty winds to follow at the weekend
Thursday, 8 October, will be dry in Latvia, with daytime temperatures reaching up to +20 degrees. A cyclone approaching late in the week will bring rain and strong wind, especially along the coast.
BNN · 8 Oct, 06:57
Woman's social media post urges drivers to always buckle up, not only when police are near
A woman posted on Threads that some drivers fasten their seat belts only when they spot what looks like a police car. Her post sparked a discussion about seat belt habits.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Oct, 06:56
Riga gathering at Freedom Monument remembers victims of 7 October attack
About 100 people gathered at the Freedom Monument in Riga to remember those killed or abducted in the attack on Israel three years ago. Defence Minister Raivis Melnis was among the attendees.
NRA · 8 Oct, 05:58
Aidis Tomsons: Election Day Between a Church Service and a Radio Marathon
Aidis Tomsons, host of Latvian Radio 1's show Krustpunktā, tells the magazine Ir about the day of the 15th Saeima election, the surprising results and his faith.
Žurnāls Ir · 8 Oct, 05:57
Estonia's white-tailed eagle recovers from near-extinction to about 300 breeding pairs
Estonia's white-tailed eagle, on the verge of disappearing in the 1960s, now numbers 290–330 breeding pairs. Pesticide bans, legal protection and long-term monitoring made the recovery possible.
Estonian World · 8 Oct, 05:57
Flu season begins in Latvia, but some state-funded vaccines are still awaited
Latvia's Centre for Disease Prevention and Control has started monitoring for the 2026–2027 flu season, but delayed vaccine production in Europe means deliveries are arriving gradually. Illness levels are so far lower than at this point last year.
Zemgales Ziņas · 8 Oct, 05:55
Partly Cloudy and Cool Thursday Morning in Latvia
Thursday morning in Latvia is partly cloudy with no precipitation, and skies are clearing from the southwest. Temperatures in the east have dropped to +2 to +4 degrees.
Bauskas Dzīve · 8 Oct, 05:55
Kulbergs Delivers United List 41 Seats in the Saeima
The United List will hold 41 of the 100 seats in the next Saeima, the largest faction in the history of Latvia's parliament. A commentary attributes the success largely to Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs.
Žurnāls Ir · 8 Oct, 04:57
How Norway was able to arrest a Russian state-owned ship in Svalbard
Norwegian authorities arrested the Russian state-owned vessel Professor Molchanov in Svalbard at the request of Ukraine's Naftogaz. A legal analysis suggests such action is possible only in narrow circumstances and does not amount to a general licence to seize Russian ships.
Estonian World · 8 Oct, 04:56
Andris Kulbergs: From Crisis Manager to 41 Seats in the Saeima
Andris Kulbergs moved from business into politics, and the AS he leads now holds 41 of the 100 Saeima seats. An analysis asks what such power means when combined with an old political structure and networks of economic interests.
TVNET · 8 Oct, 04:56
Farmers’ Saeima: 2026 Is Another Difficult Year for Latvian Agriculture
The government has declared a state of emergency in agriculture because of heavy rain. A representative of the Farmers’ Saeima says it brings no direct compensation but may speed up procedures, while winter crop sowing is far behind plan.
Bauskas Dzīve · 8 Oct, 04:56
Estonian auditors criticise €261 million sitting idle in venture capital funds
Estonia's National Audit Office found that the state transferred money to venture capital funds before it could be invested, leaving €261 million on deposit while the finance ministry borrowed to fund daily spending.
Estonian World · 8 Oct, 03:58
Kulbergs Faces a Difficult Road After Record Election Result
The United List achieved the best election result in Latvian history in the 15th Saeima vote, and its leader Andris Kulbergs admits he did not expect it. The commentary notes his confidence is growing, but the road ahead will not be easy.
Žurnāls Ir · 8 Oct, 03:57
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Evita Gūtmane's Tomato Canning Recipe: No Peeling and No Lengthy Fuss
Evita Gūtmane, the lady of the house at "Dzērves", shares a tomato canning recipe that needs no peeling, slicing or grating. The ingredients are easy to understand, and the preparation is simple.
TVNET · 8 Oct, 03:57
Kulbergs' popularity reshapes the Saeima: ZZS veterans head into retirement
The United List won the 15th Saeima election with a record number of seats, but voter turnout was the lowest in history. Support for the previous Saeima's leaders fell sharply, and about two thirds of deputies will be replaced.
Žurnāls Ir · 8 Oct, 02:57
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Elīna describes hospital orderly's inappropriate behavior after gastroscopy
After waking from anesthesia following a gastroscopy, a hospital orderly paid Elīna a compliment and touched her breast. She has described the experience to the media.
Apollo.lv · 8 Oct, 02:56