Latvia & nearby
Political scientist Rozenvalds: these Saeima elections are fateful in many ways
Ahead of the Saeima elections, experts on LSM discussed how this campaign differs from previous ones and why turning out to vote matters especially this time.
LSM (rus) · 2 Oct, 22:26
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Four young people called up for national defense service fined for missing checks
Four young people called up for Latvia's national defense service have been fined 100 euros each for unexcused absence from checks set by the Ministry of Defense. The information was published in the official gazette "Latvijas Vēstnesis".
Apollo.lv · 2 Oct, 22:23
Riga Airport's fourth apron 40% complete
Reconstruction of Riga Airport's fourth apron is 40% finished, with the project covering several hectares of concrete and costing tens of millions of euros. Work is due to be completed next year.
LSM (rus) · 2 Oct, 21:26
Estonia's Energy Ministry to draft plan for possible compensation of high electricity prices
Estonia's government is considering compensating residents for part of the electricity network fee if bills rise this winter. No final decision on scope or funding has been made yet.
ERR (rus) · 2 Oct, 21:23
Riga train passengers complain about smoking on platforms
A social media discussion reveals that smoking on public transport platforms in Latvia, though legally banned, often goes unenforced. Passengers are calling for stricter controls or designated smoking areas.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Oct, 20:21
Latvian parties have spent nearly €2.8 million on election campaigning
Ahead of the upcoming elections, Latvian political parties have already spent almost €2.8 million on self-promotion, with the Union of Greens and Farmers (ZZS), the United List and Latvia First leading in spending.
LSM · 2 Oct, 20:20
Nikišins: the state itself failed to clarify rules on soldier's taxed stipend
University of Latvia lecturer Jurijs Nikišins has commented on a case where a young man was taxed on a stipend received for completing state defense service, arguing the state's own institutions failed to set clear rules in time. He stresses that the complexity of the tax system means responsibility cannot fall solely on the taxpayer.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Oct, 19:22
Voter turnout in Riga outpaces national average, bigger Saturday surge expected
Riga Election Commission chairman Ilmārs Pilinieks says turnout in the capital for the 15th Saeima elections is exceeding the national average, and predicts Saturday's participation will surpass that of recent municipal elections.
Jauns.lv · 2 Oct, 19:21
Dobele to mark 16th Apple Festival this Saturday
Dobele will host its free, 16th annual Apple Festival on October 3, coinciding with a particularly abundant apple harvest year, drawing around eight thousand visitors as usual.
LSM · 2 Oct, 19:20
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Latvia's anti-corruption bureau seeks charges against airBaltic official over inflated parts deal
Latvia's KNAB has asked prosecutors to charge an airBaltic official with abuse of office, large-scale fraud and money laundering over a spare part purchase allegedly overpriced by more than 55,000 euros.
Apollo.lv · 2 Oct, 18:22
Cardiologist Andrejs Ērglis warns AI use risks dumbing down society
On TV24, cardiologist and professor Andrejs Ērglis warned that relying on artificial intelligence for content and lowering knowledge standards in education could erode society's intellectual level. He argued AI should only assist with form, not with substance or thought.
Jauns.lv · 2 Oct, 18:21
Estonia's new ambassadors present credentials in Ireland and Hungary
Estonia's newly appointed ambassadors to Ireland and Hungary have recently presented their credentials to the respective heads of state. Both meetings focused on bilateral ties, European security and support for Ukraine.
ERR News · 2 Oct, 17:23
Ahead of 15th Saeima elections, voters offered party-matching tool
Voters who have not yet decided how to vote in the 15th Saeima elections can use the 'Party Sorter' tool to find the political party closest to their views.
LSM · 2 Oct, 17:21
11.38% of Latvian voters cast ballots in advance voting
More than 177,000 Latvians have cast their votes during advance voting ahead of Saturday's parliamentary election, Central Election Commission data shows. Turnout this year is far higher than in the previous election.
Delfi · 2 Oct, 16:21
Saturday forecast: cloudy skies but mostly dry weather across Latvia
Meteorologists expect Saturday to bring mostly cloudy conditions to Latvia, with only scattered light rain, while most of the country stays dry and relatively mild.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Oct, 15:27
Estonia seeks cybersecurity funding boost ahead of March elections
Ahead of March elections that will again include e-voting, Estonia's government wants to increase cybersecurity investment as attacks grow more massive and increasingly AI-assisted.
ERR News · 2 Oct, 15:22
New digital map in Latvia helps mushroom pickers find the best forest spots
The Senotajs.lv digital map has attracted over 30,000 users within months, helping them identify forests with favorable conditions for mushroom foraging. Similar tools are now being developed for Lithuania and Estonia.
BNN · 2 Oct, 15:20
Police search for missing man Jānis Deksnis in Riga
State Police are asking the public for help locating Jānis Deksnis, born in 1978, who has been missing since September 29. Anyone with information about his whereabouts is urged to call 112.
Delfi · 2 Oct, 15:19
Transport and connectivity: what was achieved and what remains unresolved after four years
Over the past four years, during which four different ministers were responsible for the transport sector, the Rail Baltica railway project and national airline airBaltic became the dominant topics. Some planned projects were completed, while several major issues remain unresolved.
LSM (rus) · 2 Oct, 14:26
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President Rinkēvičs to begin consultations with newly elected parties after election
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs plans to start meeting from October 5 with parties that, according to preliminary results, have won seats in the 15th Saeima. The talks are tied to the process of forming a new government.
TVNET · 2 Oct, 14:24
Estonian parliament advances bill to refund charities' VAT paid on medicines
Estonia's Riigikogu has passed in its first reading a bill to reimburse charitable foundations for turnover tax paid on medicines for rare diseases and cancer bought with donations, after lawmakers earlier rejected a citizens' initiative to exempt such drugs from the tax entirely.
ERR (rus) · 2 Oct, 13:22
Isamaa leader Reinsalu: major policy change possible only after 2027 elections
Estonian opposition party Isamaa's leader Urmas Reinsalu has criticized the government's handling of state finances, saying genuine policy change will come only after the 2027 Riigikogu elections.
ERR News · 2 Oct, 13:21
House fire in Kohtla-Järve injures three children and a parent
A fire broke out in a private home in Kohtla-Järve's Järve district, injuring three children and one parent, all hospitalized with burns and smoke inhalation.
ERR (rus) · 2 Oct, 12:21
Motorcyclist found under drugs, carrying knives, after speeding stop in Dzidriņas
Ropaži municipal police stopped a motorcyclist in Dzidriņas who was driving at double the allowed speed in a residential area. The check revealed he was under the influence of drugs and carrying knives.
TVNET · 2 Oct, 11:25
Estonia sees rise in labour disputes, unpaid wages most common complaint
Estonia's Labour Dispute Committee received 2,463 applications last year, 50 more than the year before, according to the Labour Inspectorate. Most disputes concerned unpaid wages, unused vacation compensation and employment contract termination.
ERR (rus) · 2 Oct, 11:24
LSM's chief editor publishes election guide reflecting on trust in leadership during dangerous times
LSM's chief editor has published an opinion piece framed as a guide for the upcoming elections, reflecting on who should be trusted to lead the state in dangerous times.
LSM · 2 Oct, 11:22
LSM editor-in-chief reflects on wartime leadership dilemma ahead of elections
The editor-in-chief of Latvia's public broadcaster LSM has published a personal opinion piece ahead of upcoming elections, recalling the decision she faced a year and a half ago about taking on the role during wartime.
LSM (rus) · 2 Oct, 11:22
Parties spend nearly €2.8 million on pre-election advertising
Since June, political organisations have signed pre-election campaign contracts worth over €2.78 million ahead of the 15th Saeima elections, with the Latvia First, Union of Greens and Farmers, and United List parties spending the most. The anti-corruption bureau KNAB will verify actual spending after the vote.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Oct, 11:21
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Traffic to be restricted on several Vidzeme roads Saturday due to cycling event
Traffic on several roads in the Vidzeme region will be temporarily restricted on Saturday, October 3, because of a cycling event, mainly around Sigulda. The state roads agency LVC reported the restrictions.
TVNET · 2 Oct, 10:25
Warm weather holds through the weekend, then cyclones bring change next week
Forecasters say Latvia will see relatively warm, dry weather this weekend, but incoming cyclones will bring stronger wind and rain next week, with October overall expected to run warmer than usual.
Latvijas Avīze · 2 Oct, 10:22
Latvia's election commission: Parliamentary vote preparations on track
A day before Latvia's parliamentary elections, the Central Election Commission's head says the process is running smoothly, though no guarantees can be given on technical systems.
BNN · 2 Oct, 10:20
Estonia says it has blocked several Russian sabotage attempts as government seeks votes for budget
Estonia's security police say they have prevented a notable number of Russia-linked sabotage attempts in recent years, while the government is seeking opposition support to pass next year's state budget.
ERR News · 2 Oct, 10:20
Driver caught in Iecava with 2.43 per mille alcohol level
Police in Iecava detained a driver on Thursday morning after finding he was operating a BMW with a blood alcohol level of 2.43 per mille. A criminal case has been opened against him.
Bauskas Dzīve · 2 Oct, 10:20
Estonia's housing prices grew faster than EU average in Q2
Housing prices in Estonia rose 5.8% year-on-year in the second quarter, outpacing the EU average of 4.7%. The steepest increases bloc-wide were recorded in Portugal, Bulgaria and Lithuania.
ERR (rus) · 2 Oct, 10:20
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Pedestrian killed in traffic accident in Kurzeme as Latvia logs 124 crashes in one day
On Thursday, Latvia recorded 124 road traffic accidents, in which one pedestrian died and ten people were injured. One of the most serious incidents occurred in the Kurzeme region.
TVNET · 2 Oct, 09:26
Latvia to mark “Afternoon Without Scrolling” on October 2
Samsung's “Solve for Tomorrow” initiative invites everyone in Latvia to pause aimless social media scrolling from 3pm to 6pm on October 2. The event is part of a youth ideas competition running until October 16.
Ziemeļlatvija · 2 Oct, 09:25