Latvia & nearby (9)

Jēkabpils protest against Russian grain transit ends without incident

A protest against Russian grain transit through Latvia took place in Jēkabpils on Saturday and passed without incidents, the State Police said. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs addressed the crowd about a bill to halt the transit.

Apollo.lv · 7 Nov, 16:11

Estonian President Joins Rally Drive, Football and Sword Fight in Father's Day Show in Mulgimaa

Estonian President Ülle Madise takes part in a special Father's Day programme filmed in Mulgimaa, South Estonia. It airs on public broadcaster ETV on Sunday, November 8.

ERR News · 7 Nov, 16:11

Estonian parties still compiling candidate lists for March Riigikogu elections

Estonian parties are still assembling candidate lists for the parliamentary elections on 7 March 2027. Final lists are due by mid-January, and several parties have yet to decide where their leaders will run.

ERR News · 7 Nov, 15:12

Economics Ministry to amend shelter building code after failed tenders in Daugavpils

Latvia's Ministry of Economics plans to amend its shelter building code LBN 210-25 to clarify requirements and make them easier to apply. Two shelter construction tenders in Daugavpils ended with no bidders.

BNN · 7 Nov, 15:11

Weekly Horoscope for 6–12 November: What Each Zodiac Sign Is Promised

The Saturday supplement of the Latvian newspaper Diena has published a horoscope for 6–12 November. It gives general advice on work, finances and family to all twelve zodiac signs.

Diena · 7 Nov, 14:13

Police search for Kaspars Ozols, who travelled to the Netherlands and has not been in contact

The State Police are looking for Kaspars Ozols, born in 1983, who travelled to the Netherlands on 12 July this year. There has been no contact with him since 6 September, and his whereabouts are unknown.

Jauns.lv · 7 Nov, 14:12

28% of Latvian Residents Consider the Pay System at Their Workplace Unfair

A survey by research company Norstat found that 28% of Latvian residents view the pay system at their workplace as unfair, rising to 34% among those who are employed. The lower a person's income, the more often pay is seen as unfair.

BNN · 7 Nov, 14:11

Trolleybus and bus service restored on Tvaika Street in Riga

Trolleybus route No. 3 to Kundziņsala in Riga resumes on Saturday on its regular route, and bus No. 49 will return to Tvaika Street from Monday. Other traffic on that section remains closed because of a fire-related hazard.

TVNET · 7 Nov, 14:11

Estonian rectors seek €19.7 million for new tuition-free study places in 2027

Estonia's Council of Rectors and university representatives are urging parliament to add funding to the 2027 state budget for more tuition-free study places. The draft budget raises higher education funding by only €3.67 million.

ERR News · 7 Nov, 14:11

Dog Owner Says Four-Year-Old Hit and Stepped on Dog's Tail During Kindergarten Visit

Karīna Zaņģe, a participant in the "Ar suni Tukumā" (With a Dog in Tukums) initiative, has described on social media an incident at a kindergarten where a four-year-old boy hit her dog Tobias twice. Her post has sparked a wide debate about the responsibility of adults and dog owners.

Latvijas Avīze · 7 Nov, 13:11

Police Seek Help Finding Kaspars Ozols, 1983-Born Man Who Travelled to the Netherlands

The Riga Northern Division of the State Police is searching for Kaspars Ozols, who left for the Netherlands in July this year. There has been no contact with him since early September.

Delfi · 7 Nov, 13:10

Estonian security service warns nearly 400 Estonians studying in Russia risk recruitment

Estonian officials warn that young people studying in Russia can be recruited by intelligence services or sent to the front in Ukraine. UNESCO data show 384 Estonians studied there in 2023.

ERR News · 7 Nov, 13:10

Hundreds Rally in Jēkabpils Against Russian Grain Transit Through Latvia

A protest called "No to Blood Grain!" is taking place in Jēkabpils, Latvia, on 7 November, demanding a ban on rail transit of grain from Russia and occupied Ukrainian territories. State Revenue Service data show grain transit from Russia has grown 3.1-fold over ten months this year.

Jauns.lv · 7 Nov, 12:11

Protest in Jēkabpils against Russian grain transit; PM Kulbergs met with jeers

A protest against the transit of Russian and occupied-Ukraine grain by rail through Latvia took place in Jēkabpils on 7 November. Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs was whistled and jeered during his speech.

Latvijas Avīze · 7 Nov, 12:11

Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius: What the Baltic Capitals Can Learn from Each Other

At the urban planning event "MadCity", speakers said Riga, Tallinn and Vilnius can learn from one another rather than only compete. An Estonian expert urged cities to adopt best practice while keeping their unique character.

Delfi · 7 Nov, 11:12

Pedestrian killed on Ventspils highway near Varkaļi; driver who hit him then struck by another car

On the evening of 6 November, a car hit a pedestrian on the Ventspils highway (A10) in Mārupe municipality, and he died at the scene. Another car then hit the first car's driver after he got out of his vehicle.

Jauns.lv · 7 Nov, 11:11

Estonia's coastal fishing reform stalls as every side waits for the others to move

Estonia's coastal fishing reform is stuck because fishermen, officials and politicians each wait for another party to act, writes Indrek Adler, a former ministry fisheries official. The decision may be postponed to the next political term.

ERR (rus) · 7 Nov, 11:11

First snowflakes of the season observed in Rēzekne

On Saturday morning, 7 November, the first snowfall of the season was recorded at the Rēzekne observation station in Latgale, eastern Latvia. No snow cover formed.

Apollo.lv · 7 Nov, 11:10

Estonian Supreme Court partially rehabilitates man who tried to flee USSR by boat

Estonia's Supreme Court on Friday partially rehabilitated Imre Arakas, convicted in 1979 for trying to flee the Soviet Union and for stealing weapons. It rejected a rehabilitation request from another man.

ERR News · 7 Nov, 11:10

Latvia Allocates €4.24 Million for Foreign Films and Major International Events in 2027

The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia will accept applications from 25 November for support to foreign film productions and international events. Total funding for 2027 is €4.24 million.

NRA · 7 Nov, 11:10

Fire and Rescue Service launches campaign on cell broadcast alerts for emergencies

Latvia's State Fire and Rescue Service is running the "Pamanu. Saprotu. Rīkojos." campaign until 29 November to teach people about cell broadcast alerts and how to act in a emergency.

BNN · 7 Nov, 11:10

Estonian Power Exchange Price Rises to 19 Cents per Kilowatt-Hour on Saturday

The average electricity price in Nord Pool's Estonian zone on 7 November is 8.4% higher than on Friday, reaching 19.15 cents per kilowatt-hour. Latvia and Lithuania have a higher average price, while Finland's is far lower.

ERR (rus) · 7 Nov, 10:11

Klaipėda plans replica of historic White Lighthouse; maritime enthusiasts demand full reconstruction

The Lithuanian port city of Klaipėda plans a symbolic replica of its historic White Lighthouse at the end of the northern pier. Lighthouse researchers criticise the idea and want the original rebuilt, while port officials cite security and development risks.

LRT English · 7 Nov, 10:11

Delfi survey: most readers are saving more amid the rising cost of living

In a survey by the Latvian news portal Delfi, 60 of 78 respondents said they had started saving more over the past year, while 35 had at times or regularly borrowed money or used savings for daily expenses. Food price increases were felt most.

Delfi · 7 Nov, 10:10

After “Svetlana” and “Natālija”, a Cookie Called “Turbo” Joins the Latvian Social Media Debate

A third name has been added to the online chatter about popular Latvian cookies “Svetlana” and “Natālija”: “Turbo”. Social media users are joking about the cookies’ imaginary family tree.

Latvijas Avīze · 7 Nov, 10:10

Civic Alliance Demands Real Cost of Redistributing SIF Programmes

The Latvian Civic Alliance urges the government to publish the financial and administrative impact of redistributing SIF programmes before deciding. Estimates suggest the Culture Ministry's administration costs could rise by 61.1%.

Staburags · 7 Nov, 10:10

Smiltene Municipality Honours Winners of Annual Business Awards

On Friday, 6 November, Smiltene Municipality presented its “Business Award of the Year” prizes to 13 companies in nine categories. The main prize went to SIA Prazerina for rebuilding a historic building in Kalnamuiža.

Ziemeļlatvija · 7 Nov, 10:10

Ogre Municipality Registers Six Births and 14 Deaths in One Week

The Civil Registry Office of Ogre Municipality in Latvia registered six newborns between 29 October and 4 November. Over the same period, 14 residents of the municipality died.

OgreNet · 7 Nov, 09:12

Estonian court rules bear hunting permits unlawful in four of five areas

An Estonian administrative court has ruled that the Environmental Board unlawfully authorized brown bear hunting in four areas last year, as it failed to adequately consider alternatives to killing. Only one of the five permits met legal requirements.

ERR News · 7 Nov, 09:12

Political scientist: unfulfilled pledges in the regions reduce voter turnout

Political scientist Filips Rajevskis and nra.lv journalist Ritums Rozenbergs say that campaign promises left unkept in Latvia's regions deepen disillusionment with the state and reduce voter engagement. They spoke after a conversation with President Edgars Rinkēvičs.

NRA · 7 Nov, 09:11

Dogs allowed back on Jūrmala beaches from 1 November

The Jūrmala municipality says dogs are permitted on the city's beaches from 1 November to 31 March, provided they are on a leash. The ban remains in force from April to October.

BNN · 7 Nov, 09:11

Pedestrian killed on A10 highway in Mārupe municipality; another person taken to hospital

On Friday evening a car struck and killed a pedestrian on the A10 Riga–Ventspils road in Salas parish. The driver of that car was then hit by another vehicle after getting out and was taken to a medical facility with injuries.

Delfi · 7 Nov, 09:10

Hike to Purmsāti planned in South Kurzeme on 14 November

The South Kurzeme municipality tourism centre invites people to a hike in Purmsāti, Virga parish, on Saturday, 14 November. It will be the ninth stage this year of the “IzPĒDO Dienvidkurzemi” hiking series.

Jauns.lv · 7 Nov, 09:10

Sunākste Residents Asked to Share Photos of Newly Paved Road to the Parish

The Sunākste community hall and parish library in Aizkraukle Municipality are collecting residents' photos for an exhibition on the past and present of the road to Sunākste. The road from Daudzese to Sunākste has been paved.

Staburags · 7 Nov, 08:13