Latvia & nearby (80)

Rēzekne woman sentenced to prison for supporting Russian military

The Riga City Court sentenced pro-Kremlin activist Polina Kamļova from Rēzekne to six years in prison. The news agency LETA reported the ruling.

Apollo.lv · 7 Oct, 15:56

Kulbergs: Dispute With Film Industry Is a Misunderstanding, €600,000 Will Be Found

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs says the film sector's reaction to the streaming levy stems from a misunderstanding, following a meeting with the President. He promised to secure €600,000 for the industry and resolve the issue together with it.

NRA · 7 Oct, 15:56

Patria's New Valmiera Plant to Begin Production Next Summer

Patria Latvia is building a second facility in Valmiera for military vehicle production and maintenance. At the event, the National Armed Forces also received the first Hunter infantry fighting vehicle completed in Latvia.

Diena · 7 Oct, 15:55

Police apologise to father over delayed response at Barona Street playground

State Police admit that information about the 6 October call to the Barona Street playground was registered incompletely and officers arrived after those involved had left. An internal review has begun and patrols nearby are being stepped up.

Jauns.lv · 7 Oct, 15:55

How to Store Summer Clothes Properly Until the Next Season

In autumn, before summer clothes are put away for several months, it is worth storing them properly and reviewing the whole wardrobe. The company Zaļā josta advises sending unusable items to textile sorting.

Staburags · 7 Oct, 15:55

Russian who swam to Lithuania seeking asylum is returned and jailed for six years

Igor Odintsov, 68, crossed the Neman River from Russia's Kaliningrad region into Lithuania in September and asked for political asylum, but border guards sent him back. A Russian military court has now sentenced him to six years in prison.

Meduza · 7 Oct, 14:58

Antra Skutele to Lead Rezekne's Gors Concert Hall, but Questions Remain

Shareholders of Austrumlatvijas koncertzale chose Antra Skutele as the new management board member of the Latgale Embassy Gors. The reason for the urgent meeting remains unclear, and the Ministry of Culture says the municipality ignored the principle of good governance.

LaKuga · 7 Oct, 14:57

Sigulda Municipality Starts New Season With 71 Amateur Arts Groups

Sigulda Municipality is beginning its autumn season with 71 amateur arts groups, many of which are looking for new members. Participation is free of charge thanks to municipal funding.

Jauns.lv · 7 Oct, 14:56

RSU Studies Inequality in Science: Women Judged on Achievements, Men on Potential

Riga Stradins University is studying inequality in science. Although women make up more than half of academic staff in Latvia, they are less represented in leadership roles.

LSM · 7 Oct, 14:55

Two more power distribution cabinets damaged on the Belarus border

Two more electrical cabinets powering border surveillance infrastructure were damaged on the Latvia-Belarus border over the past day. The State Border Guard says sabotage against IT infrastructure is more frequent than before.

Latvijas Avīze · 7 Oct, 13:58

Estonia Struggles With Prejudice Against Older Job Seekers

Estonia's Unemployment Insurance Fund says prejudice on both sides often hinders the hiring of older workers. Employers and senior advocates agree the country cannot afford to leave people who are able to work outside the labor market.

ERR News · 7 Oct, 13:57

Alvis Hermanis steps down as chair of the MMN party board

Director Alvis Hermanis has left his post as chair of the board of the "We Change the Rules" party, saying he failed to convince the public of the need for change. The party will continue, with a congress planned within two months.

Diena · 7 Oct, 13:56

Police seek man in administrative offence case

The Riga North Division of the State Police is looking for a man whose identity is still unknown, in connection with an administrative offence case. Police ask anyone who recognises him or knows his whereabouts to come forward.

NRA · 7 Oct, 13:55

Six-month Euribor continues to fall, dipping below 3%

The six-month Euribor fell to 2.954% on Tuesday, dropping below the 3% mark this week for the first time since it crossed that level on 23 September. Most home loans in Estonia are tied to this rate.

ERR (rus) · 7 Oct, 12:57

Police in Daugavpils Search for Missing Teenager Daina Afanasjeva

The State Police are searching for Daina Afanasjeva, a Daugavpils teenager born in 2010 who did not return home on 28 September. Police are asking anyone with information about her whereabouts to come forward.

NRA · 7 Oct, 12:56

Environmental Board allows Eesti Energia to heat Narva with shale oil, but only under conditions

Estonia's Environmental Board has given Eesti Energia a conditional permit to use shale oil instead of natural gas for heating Narva, but only if gas supplies are at risk of disruption. It remains unclear whether the company will be able to use it.

ERR News · 7 Oct, 12:56

Kulbergs: Public Poll Needed on Istanbul Convention

After meeting President Edgars Rinkēvičs, Kulbergs said the public should be asked about the Istanbul Convention, for example through a consultative referendum. Rinkēvičs reiterated that there is no need to rush and that the next Saeima should decide.

Delfi · 7 Oct, 12:56

Patria Latvia's New Valmiera Plant Expected to Start Production in Late Summer 2027

Production of the "Hunter" infantry fighting vehicle at Patria Latvia's new Valmiera facility is due to begin in late summer 2027. Nearly eight million euros will be invested in the project.

TVNET · 7 Oct, 12:55

Rinkevics: Now Is Not the Time to Raise the Istanbul Convention Issue

Latvian President Edgars Rinkevics says there should be no rush in deciding what to do about the Istanbul Convention. He said the issue is not the most pressing one at the moment.

LSM (rus) · 7 Oct, 12:55

Police search for Artjoms Snegovics, born in 2010, who left a care facility in Daugavpils

The State Police are searching for teenager Artjoms Snegovics, born in 2010. He left a care facility in Daugavpils on 25 September, and his whereabouts are unknown.

Apollo.lv · 7 Oct, 11:57

Riga Job Fair Offers More Than 1,300 Vacancies Amid airBaltic Layoff Plans

A job fair in Riga lists more than 1,300 open positions across various sectors. The question of job prospects has become pressing after news of planned mass layoffs at airBaltic.

Jauns.lv · 7 Oct, 11:57

Burger King among a wave of restaurant closures in Tartu

Several eateries in Tartu have closed this year, including Burger King and the long-running chocolate café Pierre. The sector is struggling with rising costs and weak demand.

ERR News · 7 Oct, 11:56

Three cars stolen from a garage in Kohtla-Järve

Three cars were stolen from a garage on Lai Street in the Estonian town of Kohtla-Järve. Preliminary damage is estimated at 22,000 euros.

ERR (rus) · 7 Oct, 11:56

Kulbergs Proposes Closing LatRailNet and Moving Its Role to the Regulator

Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs has asked for an assessment of liquidating LatRailNet and handing its rail infrastructure charge functions to the SPRK regulator. Ministers must also prepare legal options to halt Russian and Belarusian grain transit.

NRA · 7 Oct, 11:55

Fire breaks out in single-storey home in Salaspils

A heightened-danger fire broke out on Tuesday in a single-storey residential house in Salaspils. The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) reported it.

TVNET · 7 Oct, 10:57

Five Fires Extinguished in Vidzeme Over One Day

Between the mornings of 6 and 7 October, rescuers in Vidzeme received seven calls, five of them to fires. The largest blaze was in Cēsis, where a 100 m2 wooden annex burned.

Valmieras Ziņas · 7 Oct, 10:57

Fastest runners of Aizkraukle region schools determined at autumn cross-country in Pļaviņas

The Aizkraukle Municipality Sports School held its school autumn cross-country race in five age groups at the Pļaviņas sports base. For the first time, the programme included a school team relay, won by Aizkraukle Municipality Secondary School.

Staburags · 7 Oct, 10:57

Six vehicles collide in Iecava; rescuers free injured person

The State Fire and Rescue Service received 42 calls in 24 hours. In Iecava parish, six vehicles were involved in a crash, and rescuers used a hydraulic tool to free a truck occupant.

NRA · 7 Oct, 10:56

Ukrainians detained in Paldiski found offer to transport migrants on social media

Two Ukrainian citizens detained in Paldiski on 4 October on suspicion of organising illegal migration found a job offer on social media promising earnings from transporting people. A court has allowed both to be held in custody for at least two months.

ERR (rus) · 7 Oct, 10:56

Mēness Aptieka Named Among Best Places to Work in International Ranking for Fifth Year

Mēness Aptieka received the international Best Places To Work certificate for the fifth time in 2026. The company says it is the only pharmaceutical care business in Latvia to have earned it repeatedly while improving its results.

Diena · 7 Oct, 10:55

Kumu exhibition "Expedition" examines how Finno-Ugric heritage shaped Estonian identity

Kumu art museum has opened "Expedition", an exhibition exploring why Finno-Ugric kinship became a central part of Estonian identity. It will stay open until February next year.

ERR News · 7 Oct, 10:55

Over 2,000 people wait for specialized care in Estonia

Estonia's Social Insurance Board calls the specialized care situation critical, with just over 2,000 people on the waiting list and the figure barely changing for months. The draft state budget does not include the funding the Ministry of Social Affairs requested.

ERR News · 7 Oct, 09:58

Criminal case opened in Narva after woman dies in care home fire

Police have opened a criminal case after a 71-year-old woman died in a fire at a care home in Narva. Careless smoking is the preliminary suspected cause.

ERR (rus) · 7 Oct, 09:57

Lithuanian conservative MP Agnė Bilotaitė quits parliament and active politics

Former Lithuanian interior minister Agnė Bilotaitė has asked to end her parliamentary mandate early and is leaving active politics. She cited her health and her family's needs.

LRT English · 7 Oct, 09:56