Latvia & nearby
Estonian jungle pioneer LU:K makes UK debut
Virko Veskoja, a founding figure of Estonia's jungle and drum & bass scene, will play his first UK show as LU:K in London on 9 October. His music grew out of the British sounds he first heard on Finnish radio in the 1990s.
Estonian World · 8 Oct, 02:56
Stendzenieks Criticises Kulbergs Over Red Line Against LPV
Riga City Council member Ēriks Stendzenieks of LPV has criticised Andris Kulbergs for ruling out cooperation with LPV. He argues such limits are unjustified on economic matters and questions Kulbergs' professional depth.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Oct, 01:56
Baltic investors: Europe must aim for tech companies worth €100 billion
At the Baltic VCA Summit in Haapsalu, investors warned that fragmented markets and limited growth capital could push Europe's most promising tech firms to look elsewhere. They said Europe needs companies valued at €100 billion or more.
Estonian World · 8 Oct, 01:55
Riga court jails Rēzekne woman for six years over €43 transfer for Russian army equipment
The Riga City Court has found Polina Kamleva of Rēzekne guilty of financing an armed conflict and sentenced her to six years in prison. Investigators say the money was meant for a drone-jamming device for Russian forces.
Meduza · 8 Oct, 00:58
Quiz: How Many Days Could You Survive a Crisis With What You Have at Home?
Latvijas Avīze has published an interactive quiz that helps people gauge how many days they could cope in a crisis. It is built around a scenario in which a city loses electricity, water, mobile internet and heating all at once.
Latvijas Avīze · 8 Oct, 00:58
Large diesel spill reported on Podnieku Street in Ādaži
A relatively large amount of diesel fuel has spilled on Podnieku Street in Ādaži. Rescuers and the Carnikava utility company are working on the cleanup, and drivers are urged to be careful.
Jauns.lv · 7 Oct, 23:57
Tenant–Owner Dispute in Āgenskalns Turns Into a Physical Clash
Riga resident Elvijs says a dispute with the new owner of his rented flat in Āgenskalns escalated into a physical confrontation. According to him, the owner attacked him with his fists.
TVNET · 7 Oct, 23:56
Kaspars Gorkšs Reportedly Picked as Best Candidate for State Chancellery Director
Unofficial information indicates that Kaspars Gorkšs, head of the Employers' Confederation, has won the competition for State Chancellery director. Three candidates reached the final round.
Jauns.lv · 7 Oct, 22:57
Šlesers: Latvia First Ready to Back Kulbergs' Minority Government
Ainārs Šlesers has said his party Latvia First is ready to support the minority government of Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs. He made the statement on Latvian Television's programme "Kas notiek Latvijā?".
LSM · 7 Oct, 22:57
Vanaga: Conscripts Who Skip Call-Ups Face Real Accountability, Politicians Do Not
Inga Vanaga, head of the Latvian Educational and Scientific Workers' Trade Union, said on TV24 that conscripts who fail to report should answer for it. She argued that politicians who ignore laws and deadlines should face similar accountability.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Oct, 22:56
EU, Canada and Lithuania Drop Disinformation Conference Backing After US Pressure
After pressure from the US State Department, Lithuania, Canada and the EU's diplomatic service withdrew official sponsorship of the #Disinfo2026 conference in Vilnius. The governments say the programme conflicts with their official positions, while France is maintaining its support.
The Guardian World · 7 Oct, 22:56
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Saeima debates initiative to abolish MPs' transport and housing compensation
A citizens' initiative to abolish transport and housing compensation for members of parliament has reached the Saeima's agenda. Most deputies are not yet ready to give up the payments.
TVNET · 7 Oct, 21:57
Twelve Saeima Members Penalised for Traffic, Medical and Accounting Violations
Between 10 April and 30 August, 12 members of the Saeima were administratively penalised, mostly for speeding. Some received warnings and others fines, while two were punished for breaching medical and accounting rules.
Delfi · 7 Oct, 21:55
Around 100 gather at Freedom Monument in Riga to remember victims of Hamas attack
About 100 people gathered at the Freedom Monument in Riga to remember those killed or abducted three years ago in the attack on Israel.
TVNET · 7 Oct, 20:57
Latvia to switch to winter time unusually early this year, on 25 October
Clocks in Latvia must be turned back one hour on 25 October, earlier than in recent years. The European Union still has no unified decision on ending seasonal clock changes.
Jauns.lv · 7 Oct, 20:57
Zivtiņš: Politicians' Accountability Rests With Voters and the Law, Not Workplace-Style Penalties
Edmunds Zivtiņš, elected to the 15th Saeima, said on TV24 that deputies cannot be punished for poor work the way ordinary employees are. He stressed that accountability lies with voters and that criminal liability applies to specific offences.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Oct, 20:56
Around 100 people in Riga commemorate victims of Hamas attack on Israel
About 100 people gathered at the Freedom Monument in Riga to remember those killed and abducted in Israel three years ago.
LSM (rus) · 7 Oct, 20:56
Lithuanian rheumatologist Audrius Gocentas dies suddenly at work as colleagues try to revive him
Rheumatologist Audrius Gocentas collapsed on arriving at the Antakalnis polyclinic on the morning of 6 October and later died. A pre-trial investigation has been opened to establish the cause of death.
NRA · 7 Oct, 20:56
ETV+ 'Eyewitness': Arson for Money, a Dacha Feud Over the War and a Presidential Portrait
A new episode of the investigative programme 'Ochevidets' (Pealtnägija+) airs on ETV+ on Thursday, 8 October. It features stories on arson for payment, a dacha cooperative conflict in Rapla County and the making of the president's official portrait.
ERR (rus) · 7 Oct, 19:57
United List Reveals Criteria for Choosing Coalition Partners
The United List, which won the 15th Saeima election, will pick coalition partners willing to agree on specific tasks and reforms. Latvian Green Party chair Edgars Tavars said a minority government cannot be ruled out either.
Jauns.lv · 7 Oct, 19:57
Police promise stepped-up patrols after knife incident at Riga playground on Barona Street
The State Police have admitted shortcomings in registering a call about a conflict with a group of teenagers at a children's playground in Riga's Centrs sports quarter, and have launched an internal inquiry. Riga Municipal Police say they received no information about the incident.
NRA · 7 Oct, 19:55
Selection panel picks Gorkšs for State Chancellery director, LTV reports
Three candidates reached the final round of the contest for State Chancellery director. According to unofficial information obtained by Latvian Television, the panel rated Kaspars Gorkšs, head of the Employers' Confederation of Latvia, as the best of them.
LSM (rus) · 7 Oct, 19:55
Anna Jansone's Husband Juris Recalls One of the Hardest Moments After His Wife's Disappearance
In the 360TV documentary series “Bez pēdām. Anna”, Juris, the husband of missing Anna Jansone, returns to the time he had to say goodbye to their four-month-old daughter Luīze. Her death was attributed to sudden infant death syndrome.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Oct, 18:58
Regional Administrative Court overturns KNAB decision on illegal funds for Suverēnā vara party
The Administrative Regional Court granted the Suverēnā vara party's application and annulled a KNAB decision on illegal financial funds for the party.
Apollo.lv · 7 Oct, 18:57
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Postal voting commission rules 118 of 444 ballots invalid in 15th Saeima elections
Latvia's postal voting commission received 444 postal ballots in the 15th Saeima elections, and 118 of them were declared invalid. The Central Election Commission reported this.
TVNET · 7 Oct, 18:55
Thursday in Latvia to Warm Up to Summer-Like +20 Degrees
Forecasters expect air temperatures in Latvia to rise to +15..+20 degrees Celsius on the afternoon of 8 October. The weather will be dry, with clouds thinning out during the day.
NRA · 7 Oct, 18:55
Lithuania Receives First Batch of Switchblade 600 Combat Drones from the US
Lithuania's Armed Forces have received the first US-made Switchblade 600 combat drones. The purchase contract was signed in 2022.
Delfi · 7 Oct, 18:55
Dispute over waste management continues in Jelgava Municipality
Residents of Ozolnieki have been at odds with the Jelgava Municipality authorities over waste management for several months. On Wednesday the council did not support the demands in their collective petition.
LSM · 7 Oct, 17:56
Gamzeyev: When Entrepreneurs Close Up Shop, Small Towns Fade Too
Estonian commentator Erik Gamzeyev argues that county centers are growing prettier, but their future depends on strong local business. He urges voters to press Riigikogu candidates for concrete plans.
ERR (rus) · 7 Oct, 17:55
Ādaži Council to Have Three Deputy Mayors, Each on a Lower Salary
Ādaži municipal council approved changes to its rules of procedure at an extraordinary meeting, providing for three deputies to the council chair instead of two. The municipality says total costs will not rise, but some councillors object.
Latvijas Avīze · 7 Oct, 16:57
Public asked to report bear sightings via the Dabas dati portal
The Nature Conservation Agency is asking residents to report non-aggressive bears on the Dabas dati portal. This applies to animals seen in a forest, in a field or near a farmstead.
LSM (rus) · 7 Oct, 16:57
Estonia Wants to Teach Eighth-Graders Air Gun Shooting
Estonia's Defence Resources Agency wants as many eighth-graders as possible to be able to learn air gun shooting if they choose. This school year, national defence education is being integrated into eighth grade in about 20 schools.
ERR (rus) · 7 Oct, 16:57
Twelve Saeima deputies fined administratively this year
Between 10 April and 30 August, 12 Saeima deputies were administratively penalised. The offences included traffic violations and failures to comply with medical-sector and accounting rules.
TVNET · 7 Oct, 16:56
Prime Minister Proposes Liquidating LatRailNet and Handing Its Functions to the Regulator
Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says the rail company LatRailNet should be liquidated and its functions transferred to the Public Utilities Commission (SPRK). He argues this would allow a faster ban on grain transit from aggressor states.
LSM · 7 Oct, 16:56
Justice minister vows new gender equality bill will reach vote before elections
Estonian Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta says the long-stalled equal opportunities bill will be passed within the current Riigikogu term. She has not disclosed its contents or timeline, and the equal treatment commissioner doubts the promise.
ERR News · 7 Oct, 16:55
Estonia may struggle to fill conscript ranks with men alone
The head of Estonia's Defense Resources Agency warns that falling male births could make it hard to meet conscript targets with men only. Up to 4,100 conscripts are to be called up starting next year.
ERR News · 7 Oct, 15:56