Latvia & nearby
State Security Service: signals of unlawful voter influence not yet confirmed
Latvia's State Security Service says it received reports of possible vote buying and other illegal attempts to influence voters before and during election day, but no violations have been confirmed so far.
LSM (rus) · 3 Oct, 10:20
Vegetable processor “Kronis” plans €550,000 warehouse in Bauska
Vegetable and fruit processing company “Kronis” has launched a procurement for a new produce warehouse in Bauska worth €550,000, backed by EU rural development funding. Construction should finish by August 2027.
Bauskas Dzīve · 3 Oct, 10:20
Next Week's Most Popular Latvian Name Days: Aina and Anete
Latvia's Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs reports that among name days falling between October 5–11, Aina and Anete are the most common names in the country, while Druvvaldis and Zilga are the rarest.
Staburags · 3 Oct, 09:26
New season of Young Reporters for the Environment launches, focusing on pollinators
The Foundation for Environmental Education launches a new season of the international Young Reporters for the Environment programme on October 8, inviting young people to explore a pollinator-friendly future by 2030. Registration is open until October 13.
Ziemeļlatvija · 3 Oct, 09:25
Latvia plans wider buffer zones along power lines after August storm damage
Following August's storm that cut power to over 280,000 households, Latvia is considering wider protective buffer zones along power lines, requiring the felling of around 230,000 trees. Grid operator AS "Augstsprieguma tīkls" says an additional five metres should suffice.
LSM · 3 Oct, 09:24
Lielvārde floorball team falls to Rubene in overtime
In a floorball match, Rubene edged past Lielvārde/Unihoc 6:5 after overtime. The teams were scoreless in the first period before the game turned into a high-scoring contest.
OgreNet · 3 Oct, 09:23
As Lithuania builds bomb shelters by schools, Latvians still rely on basements
While Lithuania is constructing new bomb shelters next to schools, Latvia's shelter network remains incomplete, leaving many residents dependent on unprepared basements. Officials admit that state and municipal buildings alone cannot protect the whole population.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Oct, 09:21
Aizkraukle-born student leads Latvian Student Union while studying at two universities
Luīze Monta Remese from Aizkraukle is simultaneously studying medicine at RSU and economics at SSE Riga while also heading the Latvian Student Union. Despite her busy schedule, she regularly travels back to visit her parents in her hometown.
Staburags · 3 Oct, 08:26
Kuldīga students spend summer learning journalism at Kurzemnieks newsroom
Two communication science students from Kuldīga spent their summer working at the Kurzemnieks newspaper, later sharing their experiences and reflections on journalism and student life in a podcast episode.
Kurzemnieks · 3 Oct, 08:26
Estonia extends reduced pay indexation for top officials through 2030, saving €32 million
Estonia's government has prolonged a reduced salary indexation scheme for top state officials until the end of 2030, while judges warn the move may be unconstitutional. The new budget plan is expected to save €32.3 million over three years.
ERR News · 3 Oct, 08:22
Motorcyclist injured in Tallinn crash
A motorcycle and a car collided on Viljandi Highway in Tallinn, leaving the motorcyclist injured and hospitalized.
ERR (rus) · 3 Oct, 08:21
Prosecutor seeks 7-year prison sentence over support for Russian army
Prosecutors in the Riga City Court are seeking a seven-year prison sentence for Sergei Nikitin, a dual German and Russian citizen accused of financially supporting the Russian armed forces. The defendant delivered his closing statement on Friday, October 2.
LSM (rus) · 3 Oct, 08:21
Why Latvians Are Being Urged to Vote Rather Than Let Others Decide
Ahead of Saeima elections, many Latvians have been asking why they should bother voting. State institutions, NGOs and public figures are campaigning to get as many eligible voters as possible to the polls.
LSM · 3 Oct, 08:20
Latvia holds 15th Saeima elections as 1,428 candidates compete for 100 seats
Latvia is holding elections for its 15th parliament today, with 1,428 candidates from 14 party lists competing for 100 seats. Polling stations are open from 8am to 8pm, and voters may cast ballots at any station regardless of registered address.
BNN · 3 Oct, 08:20
Vitenbergs: pellet shortage peak may be over, ministry points to housing benefit
Climate and Energy Minister Jānis Vitenbergs says he hopes last winter's wood pellet shortage and price spike will not repeat this heating season, as availability improves and prices decline. Households struggling with heating costs are urged to apply for housing benefits early.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Oct, 07:24
Saturday forecast for Latvia: cloudier skies but no significant precipitation
On Saturday, October 3, weather in Latvia will turn cloudier, though meteorologists say the day will pass without significant precipitation.
LSM (rus) · 3 Oct, 07:23
Smiltene schoolchildren visit care home residents for Seniors' Day
On International Day of Older Persons, pupils from Smiltene Secondary School visited residents of the Red Cross Smiltene Hospital's care and rehabilitation unit to bring them joy. Residents also marked the day with a concert and a festive pretzel treat.
Ziemeļlatvija · 3 Oct, 07:22
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Indian national causes multiple dangerous situations on Ķekava bypass road
Latvia's TV3 program "Degpunktā" reports that a driver with Indian citizenship caused several dangerous traffic situations on the Ķekava bypass road, captured on video.
Apollo.lv · 3 Oct, 06:28
Radiation therapy equipment broken at Riga hospital — elderly patient still waiting months later
An 83-year-old patient has had radiation therapy for skin cancer delayed since July at Riga East Clinical University Hospital due to broken equipment, with no repair timeline yet available.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Oct, 06:23
European Bird Watching Days under way across Latvia, with a walk in Kurmene and a goose-watching evening in Tukums
European Bird Watching Days are taking place across Latvia on October 3–4, with events in Kurmene, Salaspils and Tukums municipality. Observations can be logged on the Dabasdati.lv portal until Sunday noon.
Bauskas Dzīve · 3 Oct, 06:20
Ida-Viru County's shared events platform marks over a year online
Ida-Viru County in Estonia has run a unified events platform, Ida-Viru Events, for more than a year, used by all seven local municipalities. The site has listed nearly 3,000 events and drawn 90,000 unique visitors.
ERR (rus) · 3 Oct, 05:27
Bauska municipality lets children vote in 'Democracy Starts at Home' project
For the second time, Bauska municipality is running a project letting children and young people cast votes on issues relevant to them at 23 polling stations. The results will determine what items schools and kindergartens receive in 2027.
Bauskas Dzīve · 3 Oct, 05:20
Estonia's Motorsport Museum has closed, but its exhibits found new homes
A year after Tallinn's MOMU motorsport museum closed, about 90% of its collection has stayed in Estonia, spread across other museums and private collectors. The fate of the former museum building itself remains undecided.
ERR (rus) · 3 Oct, 04:27
CVB clarifies: a "+" mark in the oval also makes a ballot valid
Latvia's Central Election Commission has clarified that voters do not need to fully shade the oval on their 15th Saeima election ballot — marks like "+", "x", "–" or "v" are also valid. The clarification followed a voter's worry shared on social media.
Jauns.lv · 3 Oct, 04:26
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Pumpkin grower: every variety has its own flavor and purpose in the kitchen
A pumpkin grower notes that people either love or hate this vegetable, with no one truly indifferent, and explains that each of nine popular pumpkin varieties has its own character — some suited for roasting, others for soups and purees.
TVNET · 3 Oct, 04:25
Estonia's Ministry and Saaremaa Municipality Disagree Over Estonia–Latvia Cable Route
Estonia's Ministry of Economic Affairs and Communications wants to submit a special plan for an Estonia–Latvia power link crossing Saaremaa island to the government this year, but local residents still oppose an overhead line and dispute cost estimates.
ERR (rus) · 3 Oct, 03:26
Russian-speaking Latvian voters face a fragmented field ahead of Saeima elections
Ahead of Latvia's October 3 parliamentary election, traditional "Russian" parties are polling below the 5% threshold, while Sovereign Power/Young Latvians and Latvia First compete to inherit the former Harmony electorate.
Meduza · 3 Oct, 03:26
Online debate erupts over confusing dental clinic price lists in Latvia
A social media discussion in Latvia has drawn attention to unclear dental pricing, including charges for simply preparing a workstation. Commenters disagree on whether such fees reflect real costs or whether patients simply lack affordable alternatives.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Oct, 03:25
Car flips onto roof after two-vehicle crash on Deglava bridge in Riga
Two cars collided on Riga's Augusta Deglava bridge on Friday, with one vehicle tumbling and landing on its roof, blocking traffic toward Pļavnieki.
Jauns.lv · 3 Oct, 03:25
Fact-checkers examine claim that an election stamp in a passport blocked entry to Bali
A viral social media post by a Latvian resident claims she was denied entry to the Indonesian island of Bali because her passport bore a stamp from voting in Latvia's 13th Saeima elections. A fact-checking initiative is investigating the claim.
Apollo.lv · 3 Oct, 03:23
Latvia holds 15th Saeima elections today
On Saturday, October 3, Latvia is holding elections for the 15th Saeima, with polling stations open from 8:00 to 20:00.
LSM · 3 Oct, 02:23
How accurate have Latvian public media's exit polls at polling stations been
Exit polls conducted by Latvian public media at polling stations have historically shown widely varying accuracy, at times matching final results to within a tenth of a percentage point and at other times diverging significantly.
LSM · 3 Oct, 01:24
Latvijas Avīze Publishes Super-Easy Quiz to Test Attentiveness
Latvian news portal La.lv has published a simple entertainment quiz designed to test readers' attentiveness and basic knowledge, calling it one of the easiest in its series.
Latvijas Avīze · 3 Oct, 01:23
Cell broadcast alerts on election day will also cover polling station closures
If an airspace threat is detected on October 3 during Latvia's parliamentary election, the cell broadcast warning sent to residents in the affected area will also include updates on polling station closures and reopenings.
LSM · 3 Oct, 00:24
In case of airspace threat, residents will also be informed about polling station operations
If an airspace threat is declared on election day, October 3, mobile alert messages in the affected area will also include information about the closure of polling stations. Once the threat is resolved, residents will receive a follow-up message about stations reopening.
LSM (rus) · 3 Oct, 00:23
Party leaders give no clear answer on backing Rinkēvičs for second presidential term
At Friday's debates, party leaders avoided a clear stance on whether they would support President Edgars Rinkēvičs for re-election, noting he has not yet said whether he will seek a second term. The decision on the next head of state will rest with the 15th Saeima.
LSM · 2 Oct, 23:20