Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
President Rinkēvičs proposes revised data-sharing law
LSM
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June 18, 2025
Speaking to the press shortly after announcing his initiaitive, President Rinkēvičs said it was partly designed to counter what he called a system of "data feudalism" in which one state institution would refuse to share information with another....
Latvia will no longer recognize non-biometric Russian passports
LSM
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June 18, 2025
From July 15th 2025, a decision will come into effect to only recognise biometric passports of Russian Federation citizens as valid travel documents to enter Latvia. "Russia issues both biometric and non-biometric passports. The non-biometric...
Latvia’s defence spending to hit record high – 4.35% of GDP planned for 2025
Baltic News Network
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June 18, 2025
Next year, Latvia’s defence expenditure could reach 4.35% of the country’s gross domestic product (GDP). Following a meeting with President Edgars Rinkēvičs on Wednesday, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) told journalists that the government...
Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have begun to evacuate their citizens from the crisis-hit Middle East
Famagusta Gazette
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June 18, 2025
Home Regional Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have begun to evacuate their citizens from the crisis-hit Middle East Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia have begun to evacuate their citizens from the crisis-hit Middle East, according to radio broadcaster...
Latvia Ends Visa-Free Access For Georgian Diplomats
MENAFN
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June 18, 2025
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 18. The Latvian Cabinet of Ministers reinstated the visa requirement for Georgian diplomatic and service passport holders on June 17, terminating the bilateral arrangement that had allowed...
Latvia to offer airBaltic's shares to Lithuania, Estonia
LSM
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June 18, 2025
The Ministry of Transport (SM) pointed out that airBaltic's overall strategic goal has now been named as profitability and ensuring airBaltic flights from Riga Airport. The SM will officially offer Lithuania and Estonia to join Lufthansa in...
Latvian MPs visit eastern border
LSM
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June 18, 2025
For two days, MPs from the committees responsible for national defence and security toured Latvia's eastern border. The water level in the border marshes is high, and the roads are difficult to navigate with tactical vehicles or buggies. This is...
Latvia detains ex-MP in Russia probe
Politico Europe
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June 16, 2025
On June 5, parliamentarians voted to expel Rosļikovs from the assembly for “unethical conduct” after he spoke Russian on the parliament floor, which is against parliamentary regulations. While opposing a law that would require certain...
RIGA IFF FORUM opens submissions for feature and series market and short film feedback sessions
The Film New Europe
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Now in its fourth year, feature films and series market RIGA IFF SHOWCASE aims to highlight the distinctiveness of the Baltic and Central European region, while reflecting its socio-political context, current industry trends, and evolving artistic...
Rail Baltica could be used for defensive military purposes
Euronews
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June 25, 2025
Published on 12/06/2025 - 16:13 GMT+2•Updated 25/06/2025 - 15:01 GMT+2 After years of delays, construction on the 870-kilometre railway line through Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia is now gathering momentum. The Rail Baltica project is building one...
Check out this spectacular FTSE 250 stock
The Motley Fool UK
·
July 11, 2025
Image source: Getty Images Investors who haven’t tried to buy a car in Estonia or a house in Latvia might not have heard of Baltic Classifieds Group (LSE:BCG). But they might be missing out on a FTSE 250 gem. It has a strong competitive position,...
Governments’ Démarche against the ECtHR: Room for Discussion or Threats to Judicial Integrity
EJIL: Talk!
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June 16, 2025
Recently, the leaders of nine European states, out of 46 Council of Europe members, issued a joint statement calling for a fundamental revision of the interpretation of the European Convention on Human Rights (‘ECHR’) on immigration issues....
Latvia plans to expand its army by 500 soldiers almost immediately
LSM
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June 17, 2025
"We are currently developing Latvia's defence capabilities at a rapid pace. The additional 500 soldiers will bring the number of soldiers in the National Armed Forces to 8,000 this year. This will help us to quickly strengthen our professional...
Several amendments adopted to the regulations on teachers’ remuneration in Latvia
Baltic News Network
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June 25, 2025
The government adopted amendments to the regulations governing teachers’ remuneration, which, among other changes, introduce timely notification of teachers about their salaries for the upcoming academic year, ensure payment for all actually...
Latvia doubles its order for ASCOD military vehicles
LSM
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June 17, 2025
"We must continue to focus on strengthening combat capabilities - in parallel with air defence and long-range missile artillery, it is important to also strengthen the capabilities of the Mechanized Brigade of the Land Forces of the National Armed...
Latvia Tops Baltics In Foreign Investment Growth
MENAFN
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June 17, 2025
(MENAFN- Trend News Agency) BAKU, Azerbaijan, June 17. From 16 to 18 June 2025, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Latvia is hosting an annual economy-themed training workshop for Latvian diplomats abroad, which is being organized for the first...
Latvia boosts combat capabilities – government approves expansion of armed forces
Baltic News Network
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June 17, 2025
Starting the 1st of July, the number of professional service soldiers in the National Armed Forces (NBS) will be increased by 500, according to a decision made by the government on Tuesday. This increase will allow the NBS to reach 8 000...
Finland formally withdraws from Ottawa landmine treaty
Yle Uutiset
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July 11, 2025
Finland signed the treaty in 2012, but heightened security concerns prompted the Finnish government to begin preparations to withdraw earlier this year. Open image viewer File photo from the Kharkiv region of Ukraine. Image: Viacheslav Madiievskyi...
Latvian Foreign Ministry urges citizens in Israel to register amid rising tensions
Xinhua News Agency
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RIGA, June 16 (Xinhua) -- The Latvian Foreign Ministry on Monday called on all Latvian nationals in Israel to report to the Consular Register amid escalating hostilities between Israel and Iran. Since the escalation of the situation in the Middle...
Latvia launches portal to help citizens reclaim electricity surcharge payments
Baltic News Network
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June 17, 2025
A new portal, Tiesiskums.lv, created by highly qualified lawyers, has been launched in Latvia, enabling any resident or company to register for the recovery of unlawfully collected mandatory electricity surcharge payments, known as the Obligatory...