Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Local buses start operating between Latvia and Estonia
Baltic News Network
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July 7, 2025
After several years of bureaucratic coordination between the two countries, cross-border bus routes have started running between the cities of southern Estonia and northern Latvia, ERR News reports. The arrival of the bus, which connects Valka in...
Never before have we been so secure as today
New Eastern Europe
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July 8, 2025
“Two major developments have significantly strengthened Latvia’s security: its own accession to NATO and, more recently, the accession of Finland and Sweden to the Alliance.” This comparison was made by the former commander of the Latvian armed...
10 Best Airbnb stays in Riga : Your Guide to Latvia’s Capital
TripZilla
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July 7, 2025
Riga, Latvia’s captivating capital, is a mix of medieval charm and cosmopolitan flair. Its historic Old Town, elegant Art Nouveau district, and vibrant café culture make it a unique destination for travelers seeking both culture and comfort....
Can Latvia reduce digital system failures without major investments?
LSM
·
July 7, 2025
Today, 9:54 Authors: Viesturs Bulāns, CEO of Helmes Latvia While some propose conducting audits and others suggest creating a new ministry or centralized agency dedicated to digitalization, the risks could actually be mitigated with far more...
74 cases launched on pre-election law breaches in Latvia
LSM
·
July 7, 2025
Of these, 55 are related to non-compliance with the procedures and restrictions set out in the Pre-election Campaign Law, 17 to the use of administrative resources for pre-election campaigning, and two to failure to submit pre-election campaign...
EU states push to ease anti-deforestation law
The Pig Site
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July 7, 2025
Eighteen countries call for delays and simpler rules Most European Union countries have demanded further changes to the bloc's anti-deforestation law, saying some of its producers cannot be expected to meet its terms and face a competitive...
New cross-border local bus services begin running between Latvia and Estonia
ERR
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July 7, 2025
New regional bus services have begun running between towns in the south of Estonia and the north of Latvia. To establish the bus lines between Valga and Valka and Pärnu and Salaca, public transport centers have had to grapple with the different...
Estonian Productions Head to Latvia and Lithuania Amid Funding Gaps at Home
The Film New Europe
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TALLINN: Estonia is gearing up to produce six long films in 2025, but only three of them will be filmed on home turf. With local costs on the rise and public funding becoming increasingly scarce, many filmmakers are looking to Latvia and Lithuania...
The international naval exercise BREEZE 2025 has begun in the Black Sea
BNR - Radio Bulgaria
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July 7, 2025
From July 7 to 20, the Bulgarian Navy is conducting the 29th edition of the national naval exercise BREEZE 2025 with international participation, the headquarters of the Bulgarian Navy announced. The exercise is taking place in the territorial sea...
When does a bridge count as military spending? Inside NATO’s new defense plans.
Christian Science Monitor
·
July 7, 2025
NATO members have agreed to more than double their defense spending in a move widely lauded as a historic step toward a more equal security relationship between the United States and its European partners. The effort may also be redefining...
Estonian government turns down Air Baltic share offer as it seeks to develop Tallinn hub
FlightGlobal
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Estonia’s government has turned down an offer to acquire a shareholding in Air Baltic, as it looks to improve connectivity from the capital’s Tallinn airport. Latvia’s ministry of transport had disclosed in June that it would make a formal...
A Baltic triangle
New Eastern Europe
·
July 8, 2025
The dispute over where the geographical centre of Europe lies has been ongoing for centuries. Central European countries such as the Czech Republic, Slovakia and Hungary – as well as Baltic Sea neighbours like Poland, Lithuania, Estonia and Sweden...
Health Minister: No noticeable improvements in healthcare for residents next year
Baltic News Network
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July 7, 2025
Given the current level of funding and the need for austerity, residents will not experience improvements in the healthcare sector next year, according to Health Minister Hosams Abu Meri (New Unity), as stated in the TV3 program “900 Seconds.” He...
Estonia’s road to comprehensive security
New Eastern Europe
·
July 8, 2025
Since regaining independence in 1991, Estonia has undergone a rapid and determined transformation, embracing modernization, democracy and western integration. Yet its path to NATO membership and security reform was anything but straightforward, as...
Latvia, Czech Republic Deepen Security And Economic Cooperation
MENAFN
·
July 5, 2025
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 5. Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže completed a productive working visit to the Czech Republic on July 3–4, where she met with high-level Czech officials and discussed security, defense,...
NATO Chief Weighs In on Military Conscription Across Europe
Newsweek
·
July 6, 2025
Each European country will decide independently on whether to introduce military conscription, NATO's secretary-general has said, as the continent forges ahead with its rapid defense ramp up. Why It Matters NATO's European members, plus Canada,...
Latvia Delivers Patria Armored Personnel Carriers To Ukraine
MENAFN
·
July 5, 2025
(MENAFN- UkrinForm) The delivery was announced following a meeting between Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister Valerii Churkin and Latvian Defense Minister Andris Spruds, Ukrinform reports, citing the Ukrainian Defense Ministry . During the visit,...
EU sets conversion rate for Bulgaria’s eurozone entry in 2026
Kuwait Times
·
July 8, 2025
BRUSSELS: European Union finance ministers completed the final steps on Tuesday for Bulgaria to become the 21st member of the eurozone from January 2026, including setting the conversation rate of the Bulgarian lev to the euro. Bulgaria will join...
Latvia Assumes Command Of NATO Mine Countermeasures Group In Belgium
MENAFN
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July 5, 2025
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, July 5. The Latvian Navy officially assumed command of NATO's First Standing Mine Countermeasures Group (SNMCMG1) from the Belgian Navy in the port of Zeebrugge this week in an official change of...
Latvia introduces electronic monitoring for violent offenders
LSM
·
July 5, 2025
Latvia has long had one of the highest rates of women killed by violence in the European Union (EU). The latest data from the European Union's statistical office Eurostat shows that Latvia has the highest rate per 100,000 inhabitants. In order to...