Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Transgender and nonbinary Latvians face a struggle for recognition
LSM
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June 27, 2025
Eren, who declined to provide his last name due to safety concerns, came to Latvia in 2020 to be with his husband after getting married in Russia, where his gender on official documents was listed as female. There, Eren was completely unable to...
Latvia Backs Urgent NATO Invitation for Ukraine Ahead of 2025 Summit
Mezha
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June 21, 2025
Ahead of the NATO summit scheduled for June 24–25 in The Hague, the Latvian Saeima adopted an important statement supporting the urgent invitation of Ukraine to the Alliance. This information was published in local media. The document emphasizes...
An Ottawa co-production deal with Ukraine for military equipment under "active consideration"
Canada's National Observer
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June 27, 2025
Ottawa is considering whether to follow in the footsteps of several European nations by forging a new defence co-production deal with Ukraine for military equipment, Defence Minister David McGuinty said Thursday. McGuinty said the idea is under...
Latvia Warns Citizens on Travel Risks to Russia and Belarus Amid Espionage Threats
Mezha
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June 20, 2025
The Latvian State Security Service has urged citizens to refrain from traveling to Russia and Belarus during the summer holidays due to high risks associated with intelligence activities, recruitment, and provocations. This information was...
The state promised but didn’t deliver – “Lux Express” considers legal action over half a million euros
Baltic News Network
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June 27, 2025
International passenger carrier Lux Express is considering taking legal action against the state in connection with compensation for transporting passengers eligible for fare discounts, according to representatives of the company. The company...
Only Kleinbergs nominated for Riga mayor post
Baltic News Network
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June 27, 2025
At today’s Riga City Council meeting, only one candidate was nominated for the position of mayor – Viesturs Kleinbergs, a politician from the “Progressives” and the candidate put forward by the new council coalition. The opposition did not...
EU Population Grows by Over a Million, While Bulgaria Continues to Shrink
Novinite
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As of January 1, 2025, the population of the European Union reached 450.4 million people, marking an increase of over one million compared to the previous year, according to new estimates from Eurostat released on World Population Day. This marks...
BNN IN FOCUS | Why do voters support mayors accused of fraud or disgraced in office?
Baltic News Network
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June 27, 2025
Municipal elections in Latvia have concluded, and in some places, it seems that nothing has changed — the same people remain at the helm of local governments. Some of them carry heavy scandal-laden baggage, yet voters appear undisturbed. Why is...
Dismissed Rēzekne mayor Bartaševičs elected again
LSM
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June 27, 2025
The list Bartaševičs represents, Latvia First/Together for Latvia, received the most votes in the recent local elections. Seven councillors voted for Bartaševičs, while five were against. One councillor did not attend the meeting. Bartaševičs was...
Latvia Reaffirms Defense Spending Pledge In Talks With US Envoy
MENAFN
·
June 20, 2025
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 20. On Friday, June 20, Latvian Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds met with the Ambassador of the United States to Latvia, Christopher Robinson, to discuss the upcoming NATO Summit in The Hague...
Viesturs Kleinbergs elected mayor of Rīga
LSM
·
June 27, 2025
Viesturs Kleinbergs received 34 votes in favour and 22 against. He was the only candidate nominated for the position of mayor of Rīga at the council meeting where the decision was made. The majority of the newly elected councillors attended the...
Tender launched for Latvia's election system audit
LSM
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June 27, 2025
The counting of votes in the 2025 local elections was marred by technical problems. Problems in the work of polling stations due to technical issues were also encountered during the week when early voting took place. As stated in the procurement...
Latvian president believes NATO will overcome obstacles, meet 5% goal
The Gazette - Colorado
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By Andrius Sytas RIGA (Reuters) -Latvia's president expressed confidence NATO would agree to a new higher defence spending target demanded by U.S. President Donald Trump, despite Spanish objections, saying the alliance had little choice given the...
Latvia has banned the purchase of real estate by citizens of Russia and Belarus
The Odessa Journal
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The Latvian Saeima has passed a law prohibiting citizens of Russia and Belarus from purchasing real estate in the country. The bill was supported by 69 deputies, with eight opposing it, as reported by LSM. It will also apply to legal entities in...
Sentence upheld against disgraced former Saeima deputy Zakatistovs
LSM
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July 11, 2025
Without mentioning the names of the two individuals, the Supreme Court said that each person was sentenced to two years of suspended imprisonment. According to the indictment, in 2016, Zakatistovs agreed with Tamuz, the chairman of the council of...
Latvia prohibits Russian, Belarusian citizens from purchasing real estate
The Kyiv Independent
·
June 20, 2025
Latvia's parliament adopted a bill on June 19 that prohibits citizens of Russia and Belarus from purchasing real estate in the country, Latvian media reported. The bill — which carves out exceptions for EU and Latvian permanent residence holders,...
Latvian parliament urges swift NATO invite for Ukraine
Ukrainska Pravda
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Flag of Latvia. Stock photo: Getty Images The Latvian parliament, the Seimas, has approved a statement ahead of the NATO summit in The Hague on 24–25 June in support of inviting Ukraine to join NATO as soon as possible. Source: Delfi, as reported...
Latvia's foreign minister criticises WHO Europe chief's visit to Russia
Ukrainska Pravda
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Baiba Braže. Photo: Laura Celmiņa, Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia Latvian Foreign Minister Baiba Braže has criticised Hans Kluge, World Health Organisation Regional Director for Europe, for visiting Russia and his statement on the trip....
Latvian residents warned – trip to Russia culd result in blackmail
Baltic News Network
·
June 20, 2025
The State Security Service (VDD) has issued a renewed call for Latvian residents to avoid traveling to Russia and Belarus. Anticipating that the number of people traveling to aggressor states may increase during the holiday season and school...
Latvia And India Discuss Strengthening Bilateral Ties
MENAFN
·
June 20, 2025
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 20. On Thursday, June 19, Minister of Defense Andris Sprūds met with Her Excellency Ms. Namrata Satdeve Kumar, Ambassador of the Republic of India to Latvia, Trend reports. During the meeting,...