Latvia & nearby
Fraud losses in Latvia exceed €16 million over nine months
State Police data show more than 300 fraud cases were registered in Latvia in September alone, with victims losing over €1 million, while total losses since the start of the year have topped €16 million.
NRA · 6 Oct, 19:58
Draft law on Gors concert hall heads to final reading; Rēzekne municipality set to appoint new board member
The Saeima committee made no substantial changes to the draft law on Latgale's Gors concert hall, sending it to a final reading, while Rēzekne municipality's plan to appoint a new board member is being criticized by the Culture Ministry.
LSM (rus) · 6 Oct, 19:57
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Latvia's Foreign Minister Braže Moves to Blacklist Russian Citizen Ragozin
Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has initiated a process to add Russian citizen Leonid Ragozin, described as an independent journalist, to Latvia's list of undesirable persons. The move would, if finalized, bar him from entering the country.
Apollo.lv · 6 Oct, 19:57
Armed escorts aggressively pushed migrants toward Latvia in border provocation
Latvia's National Armed Forces this week stopped an unusually aggressive provocation at the Belarusian border, where armed, masked escorts tried to force a group of at least 20 illegal migrants into Latvia. Masked individuals later entered Latvian territory and damaged infrastructure.
Jauns.lv · 6 Oct, 19:57
Tallinn's weekly event guide: from a Cossack choir to a one-string guitar virtuoso
From 5 to 11 October, Tallinn hosts five contrasting events, ranging from a sacred choral concert and an AI business conference to an improvisational healing performance, an English comedy night and a Jamaican musician's show.
Estonian World · 6 Oct, 19:01
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Latvia Scraps Plan to Require SAT Test for Foreign University Applicants
Latvia's Ministry of Education and Science has dropped a proposal to make the SAT exam mandatory for foreign students applying to Latvian universities, the ministry informed a Saeima committee on Tuesday.
TVNET · 6 Oct, 19:01
Armed escorts of illegal migrants threatened Latvian soldiers at border, minister says
Latvia's Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava reported an unusually aggressive provocation at the Latvia-Belarus border, where armed escorts of migrants threatened National Armed Forces soldiers. Hours later, masked individuals crossed into Latvian territory and damaged property.
Latvijas Avīze · 6 Oct, 18:58
Latvia extends border operation "Vilkatis" to year's end as migrant pressure rises
Latvia's government has extended the border security operation "Vilkatis" until December 31 after renewed pressure from irregular migrants at the eastern border over the past two weeks. Crisis Management Center head Arvis Zīle said organizers are now even using force to push migrants across.
NRA · 6 Oct, 18:57
Postimees editor: part of Baltic war anxiety is being manufactured by Western media
Postimees editor Meelis Oidsalu argues that part of the anxiety around a potential Russian attack on the Baltic states is being generated by major Western media outlets, often relying on anonymous Estonian intelligence sources.
Postimees · 6 Oct, 18:06
Latvia extends border operation “Vilkatis” through year-end amid renewed migration pressure
Latvia's government has extended the “Vilkatis” border security operation until December 31 after officials reported renewed pressure from irregular migrants at the eastern border. The Crisis Management Center says smugglers are increasingly using force to push migrants across.
Delfi · 6 Oct, 18:03
Randlane: Trust in the state requires justified decisions, not just promises
Estonian researcher Kerli Randlane argues that the government's pledge of a responsible and honest budget will only be credible if the state explains its tax and spending decisions, as Estonia's draft budget for next year reaches parliament.
ERR (rus) · 6 Oct, 18:00
Border Operation "Vilkatis" Extended to Year's End as Illegal Migration Pressure Persists
Latvia's government has extended the border security operation "Vilkatis" until December 31 due to renewed pressure from illegal migrants on the eastern border. Officials say migrants are now being forced across the border and surveillance cameras are being sabotaged again.
Diena · 6 Oct, 18:00
Latvian government extends anti-illegal-migration operation 'Vilkatis' until year's end
On Tuesday, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers decided to extend the 'Vilkatis' operation against illegal migration on the eastern border until December 31. The decision was confirmed by the State Chancellery.
LSM · 6 Oct, 17:58
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Ombudsperson: Election process in care homes ran smoothly overall
Latvia's Ombudsperson Karina Palkova has concluded that the 15th Saeima election process in social care centres was organised to ensure elderly residents could exercise their right to vote.
TVNET · 6 Oct, 17:01
Lithuania to begin preparations for a potential permanent US military base
Lithuanian Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has instructed the Defence Ministry to prepare information for Washington on options for establishing a permanent American military base in the country, after Donald Trump said the US would consider the idea.
NRA · 6 Oct, 17:00
Lithuania says plague risk unchanged after death reported in Russia
Following reports of a woman's death from pneumonic plague in Russia, Lithuanian health authorities said there is no increased risk to residents, though the situation is being monitored.
LRT English · 6 Oct, 17:00
Government backs new family values and health education content; teachers' union warns of ideology risks
The government has decided to strengthen history teaching and introduce family values and health literacy content into school curricula, but Latvia's teachers' union warns the new material could carry ideological bias.
LSM · 6 Oct, 16:59
Estonian vocational school director named fraud suspect over car compensation claims
Hendrik Agur, director of the Ida-Virumaa Vocational Education Center in Estonia, has been named a suspect in fraud for claiming car-use compensation for trips he never made; he has already repaid the money.
ERR News · 6 Oct, 16:58
Estonian TV veteran Voldemar Lindström dies at 93
Voldemar Lindström, who worked at Estonian Television for nearly 35 years, has died at the age of 93. He was known for shaping programming and supporting young talent behind the scenes.
ERR (rus) · 6 Oct, 15:59
Riga City Council explains who qualifies for housing benefits
Riga municipality has clarified that housing benefits covering heating and utility costs are not granted automatically but only after assessing a household's income and financial situation.
NRA · 6 Oct, 15:58
Ķekava starts connecting heating to apartment buildings from October 7
Property manager SIA “Ķekavas nami” will gradually connect heating to all its managed apartment buildings in Ķekava municipality starting October 7, over a three-day period. Several institutions, including schools and cultural centers, have already begun their heating season.
Jauns.lv · 6 Oct, 15:56
Police seek public's help in search for missing girl Ksenija Goha
State Police are searching for Ksenija Goha, born in 2012, who went missing in Riga on October 5. Residents are urged to report any information about her possible whereabouts.
Delfi · 6 Oct, 15:01
Large quantity of narcotics found at woman's home in Daugavpils
Latvian police searched the home of a woman born in 1980 in Daugavpils and found several types of narcotic and psychotropic substances. A criminal case has been opened over illegal possession.
Diena · 6 Oct, 15:00
Woman detained in Daugavpils after large quantity of drugs seized
Latvian State Police detained a woman born in 1980 in Daugavpils after a sanctioned search uncovered a significant quantity of psychotropic pills, marijuana, cocaine and ecstasy. The investigation is ongoing.
Latvijas Avīze · 6 Oct, 14:59
Estonia detains six suspected migrant smugglers within days
In early October, Estonian police detained six people suspected of organizing illegal migration, along with 19 foreigners who had entered the country unlawfully. Prosecutors are seeking pre-trial detention or immediate punishment for the suspects.
ERR (rus) · 6 Oct, 14:58
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Two drunk drivers collide in Jelgava
An unusual crash in Jelgava on Sunday morning turned out to involve two drivers who were both intoxicated, local outlet jelgavniekiem.lv reports.
Apollo.lv · 6 Oct, 14:58
Latvian government approves €4 million plan to overhaul digital public services
Latvia's cabinet has approved a €4 million project to fix the country's fragmented digital public services, with most of the funding coming from the EU Regional Development Fund.
NRA · 6 Oct, 14:58
LSM launches new media professionals training program "LSM Starts"
Latvia's public media organization LSM has begun the first season of its youth training program "LSM Starts," with 21 young participants from various Latvian towns. The initiative aims to develop a new generation of media professionals.
LSM · 6 Oct, 14:57
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Riga to allow unleashed dogs only in designated dog parks
A Riga City Council committee has backed new municipal regulations stating that dogs may be let off the leash only in specially designated dog-walking areas.
TVNET · 6 Oct, 14:04
Analyst: Šlesers' sole goal is to position himself as the only true agent of change in coalition talks
Political commentator Jurģis Liepnieks says Ainārs Šlesers' strategy in upcoming government coalition talks will be to present his party as the only genuine option for the change voters demanded, leaving Edgars Kulbergs to find a counter-argument.
Latvijas Avīze · 6 Oct, 14:03
Estonia tightens border checks with Latvia amid rise in illegal migration
After 41 people were detained in a single week for illegally crossing into Estonia from Latvia, Estonian border police have stepped up checks along the border. Most of those detained are nationals of East African and South Asian countries trying to reach the Nordic countries via Latvia and Estonia.
NRA · 6 Oct, 14:01
Study: nearly three-quarters of Estonian educators have faced bullying
A University of Tartu study finds most Estonian teachers and school staff have experienced bullying at some point in their lives, shaping how they view their current workplace. Researchers say supportive leadership can help offset lasting negative effects.
ERR News · 6 Oct, 14:00
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Forestry Workers in Kurzeme Spot an Especially Rare Insect
A forest master from state forestry company "Latvijas valsts meži" (LVM) came across an especially rare insect in Latvia while inspecting forest stands near Pope, in North Kurzeme.
Apollo.lv · 6 Oct, 13:02
Riga bus driver wins €250,000 in lottery side game
A 42-year-old Riga resident who works as a bus driver has won €250,000 in the Joker number-lottery side game, marking the fifth quarter-million lottery win in Latvia this year and the largest Joker payout since the prize fund was increased in late August.
NRA · 6 Oct, 12:56
Kristaps Porziņģis's father buys new property in Liepāja, welcomes fourth child
Tālis Porziņģis, father of NBA star Kristaps Porziņģis, has bought a large property in Liepāja this year, while in August his partner Zane gave birth to his fourth child, Latvian magazine "Kas Jauns" reports.
Latvijas Avīze · 6 Oct, 12:55
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JKP board does not rule out dissolving the party
JKP board member Mārtiņš Štāls told the LETA agency that the party does not rule out self-dissolution, though no final decision has been made yet.
TVNET · 6 Oct, 12:04