Latvia & nearby
New Head of Estonia's Ida Prefecture Outlines Near-Term Plans
Eerik Purgel became the new head of the Ida Police Prefecture on October 1, having previously led the prefecture's Border Guard Bureau. He named drafting an action plan, retaining staff and fighting fraud as top priorities.
ERR (rus) · 1 Oct, 11:20
Smiltene Technical School hosts pastry masterclass
Smiltene Technical School held a masterclass where third-year confectionery students, guided by an experienced pastry chef, prepared sweet 'potato' cakes. The event was part of the school's extracurricular learning activities.
Ziemeļlatvija · 1 Oct, 10:25
Estonia's vocational schools say extra €14 million won't deliver real reform
Estonia's government will give vocational schools nearly €14 million in extra funding next year to support education reform, but the sector says a new long-term funding model is still needed.
ERR News · 1 Oct, 10:24
Free group running workout to take place in Ikšķile
On October 7, a free group running workout led by multiple-time Latvian champion Anita Siliņa will take place at Ikšķile Secondary School's sports field. Advance registration closes October 6.
OgreNet · 1 Oct, 10:23
/nginx/o/2026/10/01/17948092t1hfe08.jpg)
Report: Expensive tractor used on former minister Krauze's farm linked to timber business figure
Magazine "Ir" reports that a tractor worth over 100,000 euros used on former Agriculture Minister Armands Krauze's farm is owned by a company tied to the family of ex-Ventspils mayor Aivars Lembergs and linked to timber businessman Uldis Mierkalns.
Apollo.lv · 1 Oct, 10:21
Latvia detains couple accused of gathering intelligence on military facilities for Russia's GRU
Latvia's State Security Service and Military Intelligence and Security Service detained a couple on June 28 suspected of illegally collecting information on the country's defense sector on behalf of Russian military intelligence.
LSM (rus) · 1 Oct, 10:20
/nginx/o/2026/10/01/17948240t1h64d6.jpg)
Person drowns after entering fenced area of fire service post in Dagda
On Wednesday, a person unlawfully entered the fenced territory of the State Fire and Rescue Service post in Dagda and drowned there, the service reported.
TVNET · 1 Oct, 10:19
Latvian Security Service Detains Couple Suspected of Spying for Russia
Latvia's State Security Service and Military Intelligence and Security Service detained two Latvian citizens suspected of passing information to Russia's GRU military intelligence, including one who photographed the Ādaži military base from the air.
Latvijas Avīze · 1 Oct, 09:25
Hidden-defect disputes over real estate on the rise in Estonia, with AI playing a role
Estonian real estate experts say claims over hidden property defects are becoming more frequent, partly because buyers now use AI to draft complaints. Common disputes involve noise insulation, dry rot, mold and waterproofing failures.
ERR News · 1 Oct, 09:22
Liepāja to expand public transport routes from October
Starting October 1, Liepāja will introduce changes to its public transport network, including new connections to the Southern Cemetery and hospital, plus school-adapted routes. The changes are based on resident suggestions and passenger flow data.
Jauns.lv · 1 Oct, 09:20
Latvia's Security Service Detains Couple Suspected of Spying for Russian Military Intelligence
Latvia's State Security Service, working with military intelligence, detained two Latvian citizens on June 28 suspected of gathering defense-related information for Russia's GRU. Both have been placed in custody.
BNN · 1 Oct, 09:20
US troops set to return to Lithuania under new rotation
After a six-month pause, about 1,000 US soldiers are expected to redeploy to Lithuania, while Vilnius continues pushing for a permanent American base. Officials say the move sends a clear deterrence signal to Russia.
LRT English · 1 Oct, 08:27
Survey: 64% of childhood sexual abuse survivors in Latvia receive no support for aftereffects
A new report by Protect Children and Centrs Dardedze, based on 734 Latvian-speaking survey respondents, finds most survivors of childhood sexual abuse suffer long-term effects but often get no help even after disclosing what happened.
Latvijas Avīze · 1 Oct, 08:22
Early voting activity surges ahead of 15th Saeima election
A record nearly 45,000 voters cast ballots for safekeeping on September 30, pushing the total above 83,000 ahead of the October 3 parliamentary election. Turnout varies sharply by region, with Riga leading and Latgale lagging.
OgreNet · 1 Oct, 08:22
Latvia marks International Day of Older Persons
On October 1, Latvia joined the world in observing the International Day of Older Persons, with schoolchildren in Smiltene visiting a local care home to bring gifts and lead activities for residents.
Ziemeļlatvija · 1 Oct, 08:21
Mobile polling stations to operate in several Latvian municipalities on Saeima election day
On the day of the 15th Saeima election, mobile polling stations will be available to voters in more than ten Latvian municipalities, including Bauska. The Central Election Commission has published specific locations and times.
Bauskas Dzīve · 1 Oct, 08:21
"Altum" launches new loan program for rural entrepreneurs
A new "Altum" support program called "Small Loans in Rural Areas with Capital Discount" was launched in Dobele municipality, offering partially forgivable loans for agricultural development. The program's total funding is 27 million euros.
Zemgales Ziņas · 1 Oct, 08:20
Estonian PM: top civil servants' pay rise to slow down
Estonian Prime Minister Kristen Michal confirmed that the government has decided to slow the pay growth of top civil servants, a move that has already drawn criticism from judges.
ERR (rus) · 1 Oct, 08:20
Latvia sees surprisingly warm start to October — temperatures to reach +22°C
Latvia is experiencing an unusually warm and sunny start to October, with temperatures on Thursday expected to reach +22°C along the western Kurzeme coast. The weather is being shaped by an anticyclone, with no precipitation forecast.
Latvijas Avīze · 1 Oct, 07:27
Eleja to host concert-lecture and community singalong
On October 3, the Eleja exhibition hall will host a free concert-lecture and singalong event where visitors can both listen and sing along with choir performers.
Zemgales Ziņas · 1 Oct, 07:26
18-year-old Katrīna on her first vote: choosing a party deserves as much time as choosing a new phone
First-time voter Katrīna describes how a mock election at her school and social studies classes prepared her to vote, naming national security and the economy as her top priorities.
OgreNet · 1 Oct, 07:25
Magazine "Ir": New tractor at ex-minister Krauze's farm linked to timber industry case figure
Latvian magazine "Ir" has found that a new tractor parked at the farm of former agriculture minister Armands Krauze belongs to a company owned by a man tied to the timber industry pricing scandal. Krauze denies it was a reward for favorable decisions.
Delfi · 1 Oct, 07:23
/nginx/o/2026/09/14/17918009t1he697.jpg)
Thursday to bring warm, sunny weather across Latvia
Forecasters say Thursday will be warm and sunny in much of Latvia, with the sunniest conditions expected in the Kurzeme region.
Apollo.lv · 1 Oct, 07:22
Thursday brings sunny, mild weather across Latvia, warmest in Kurzeme
On October 1, most of Latvia will see clear skies and sunshine with no rain, with the warmest air expected along the Kurzeme coast. Riga will warm up to around +19 degrees.
Jauns.lv · 1 Oct, 07:21
Riga taxi driver jailed for fleeing crash scene after injuring passenger
A man who crashed his taxi into parked cars in Riga one spring night, injuring a passenger, and then fled into bushes has been sentenced to prison by a court.
TVNET · 1 Oct, 06:25
Fact-check project reviews Šlesers' calculations on Estonia's budget revenue comparison
The "Faktomāts" fact-checking project has reviewed repeated claims by "Latvia First" party leader Ainārs Šlesers that Latvia could collect 10 billion euros more in budget revenue if it matched Estonia's per-capita results. The review compares his figures against official statistics.
Apollo.lv · 1 Oct, 06:25
Can you demand your salary in cash in case of a crisis? Latvia's labour inspectorate explains
After advice to keep cash reserves at home for possible crisis situations, a reader asked whether an employee can request salary payment in cash. Latvia's State Labour Inspectorate confirms it is legal, but with conditions.
Latvijas Avīze · 1 Oct, 06:22
May 4th Declaration Club urges Latvians to vote in October 3 elections
The board of the May 4th Declaration Club has issued an appeal for mass voter turnout in the upcoming October 3 elections, marking the 35th anniversary of Latvia's 1990 independence restoration declaration. The group warns that forces hostile to Latvia are again involved in the electoral process.
Žurnāls Ir · 1 Oct, 06:20
Latvia's energy ministry: heating costs to rise moderately this winter, but sharp spikes possible in some cases
Latvia's Climate and Energy Ministry expects moderate average heating cost increases this season, though households using pellets or exchange-linked gas contracts could face significantly steeper rises.
Bauskas Dzīve · 1 Oct, 06:20
Questions raised over PM Andris Kulbergs' MBA studies at Riga Business School
Following scrutiny of lawmaker Artūrs Butāns' education, attention has turned to Prime Minister Andris Kulbergs' CV, which states he studied in an MBA program at Riga Business School from 2007 to 2015. Information obtained by Jauns.lv raises doubts about whether the program was actually completed.
Jauns.lv · 1 Oct, 06:20
Heating costs rise in Bauska municipality from today
From October 1, a new heating tariff of 89.73 euros per MWh (excluding VAT) takes effect in Bauska municipality, 8.8% higher than before, as heating prices rise across much of Latvia due to higher fuel costs.
Bauskas Dzīve · 1 Oct, 05:20
Riga taxi driver sentenced to prison for fleeing crash scene
A taxi driver in Riga has been sentenced to prison after crashing into parked cars one spring night, injuring a passenger, and fleeing the scene by hiding in bushes.
Apollo.lv · 1 Oct, 03:23
A week before elections, the key question is whether Šlesers could return to government
Ahead of Latvia's parliamentary elections, ruling parties hope to continue governing as a four-party coalition, but polls suggest they may fall short of a majority without opposition support. This raises the question of whether Ainārs Šlesers could return to power.
Žurnāls Ir · 1 Oct, 02:26
TV debate clash: JKP candidate questions 'Stabilitātei!' over renewed ties with Russia
During a pre-election TV24 debate, JKP's Jānis Citskovskis pressed 'Stabilitātei!' representative Svetlana Čulkova on her party's plan to restore economic cooperation with Russia and Belarus, but the exchange turned into personal accusations instead of a substantive answer.
Latvijas Avīze · 1 Oct, 02:24
"Zemgale/LBTU" claim convincing 7:0 win over "Rīgas HS/Dinaburga"
Jelgava's hockey team crushed "Rīgas HS/Dinaburga" 7:0 at home in the Optibet Hockey League, with Patriks Zabusovs and Aleksandrs Novikovs each scoring twice, while goalkeeper Aksels Ozols recorded his first shutout of the season.
Zemgales Ziņas · 1 Oct, 01:25
Nine practical steps to help women beat chronic fatigue
Persistent fatigue in women is often caused by a mix of physical and mental factors, but experts say small daily habits can help restore energy. Recommendations range from blood tests to short daily rest breaks.
Staburags · 1 Oct, 01:23