Latvia & nearby
Lithuania ratifies key ASEAN treaty, deepening ties with Southeast Asia
Lithuania's parliament has ratified the Treaty of Amity and Cooperation in Southeast Asia, formally aligning the country with ASEAN and paving the way for closer partnership.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 09:51
Politicians discuss government and Saeima work in pre-election summer
On June 10, the radio program "Apvienoto sarakstu" brought together representatives from several Latvian parties to discuss the work of the government and parliament ahead of the upcoming elections.
LSM · 12 Jun, 09:50
NGO to Install Grave Plaques for Two Unidentified Border Crossers
The NGO 'I Want to Help Refugees' will install grave plaques on June 16 for two women who died after crossing the Latvia-Belarus border and were buried unidentified.
TVNET · 12 Jun, 09:50
Tartu Aviation Academy drone test facility enlarges training scope
A new drone testing area near Tartu Airport provides a safe space for UAV development and experimentation, enabling tests that are not possible in open airspace due to regulations.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 08:49
Lithuania's Government Crisis: 'Nemunas Dawn' Party Ousted from Coalition
The Social Democrats reshuffle the ruling coalition, dropping the controversial 'Nemunas Dawn' party. The new coalition likely includes the Social Democrats, the Farmers and Greens Union, and Democrats 'For Lithuania'.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 08:48
Historian: Estonia's historical narrative must include women and the left
Researcher Piret Karro-Arrak argues that Estonian society has not yet fully come to terms with figures like Alma Ostra-Oinas, calling for recognition of women's and leftist contributions to building democratic Estonia.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 08:48
Latvia's membership in the European Space Agency threatened – 6 million euros needed
Latvia's membership in the European Space Agency may be at risk because the next year's state budget does not include the required 6 million euros, according to Minister of Education and Science Ilze Indriksone.
LSM (rus) · 12 Jun, 08:47
Wind Farm Critics Organize International and Local Opposition to Projects in Latvia
Planned wind farms in Latvia face organized resistance, with warnings about health impacts being spread at events.
LSM (rus) · 12 Jun, 07:46
Lithuanian Old Believer Priest Detained in Belarus
Lithuanian citizen and Old Believer priest M. R. was detained in Belarus during Pentecost services, allegedly for document forgery related to registering a religious community.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 07:46
Estonian Parliament passes law allowing prison space to be rented to other countries
Estonia's Riigikogu on Wednesday approved amendments enabling foreign prisoners to be housed in Estonian prisons and ratified a prison leasing contract with Sweden.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 07:46
For Mushroom Foragers: Now is the Time to Find Chicken of the Woods – a Healthy and Edible Polypore
After the spring edible mushroom season has ended and before the start of chanterelle season, foragers can search for the common sulfur polypore (Laetiporus sulphureus), one of the few edible polypores in Latvia, recognized as healthy.
LSM · 12 Jun, 07:46
Survey: Lithuanian government disapproval deepens in May
A May poll shows increased intensity of negative perceptions of the Lithuanian government, while party ratings and preferred prime ministerial candidates remain largely stable.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 06:45
Small Schools in Dienvidkurzeme Region Preserved for Another Year
Planned school reorganization in Aizpute, Kazdanga, Pāvilosta, and Rucava in the Dienvidkurzeme region will not change actual schooling locations or scope, thus preserving small schools with low enrollment for at least one more year.
LSM · 12 Jun, 06:45
Estonian farmers face worsening labor shortages
Estonia's agricultural sector, especially berry growers, is struggling with labor shortages due to a decline in workers from third countries, mainly Ukraine. The lack of skilled labor is also a growing concern, prompting calls for alternative recruitment strategies and better cooperation.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 06:44
Architect: Tallinn Unprepared for Large-Scale Sheltering
Architect Toivo Tammik warns that Tallinn lacks adequate shelter spaces and mass evacuation is unrealistic. He calls for adapting existing and new underground spaces and urges community-level action.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 05:42
Berlin Welcomes Decision to Exclude 'Far-Right Populists' from Lithuanian Government
German Deputy Foreign Minister Gunther Krichbaum praised the Social Democrats' move to drop the Nemunas Dawn party from coalition talks due to its leader's anti-Semitic remarks, noting that Germany would have found it difficult to cooperate with a government influenced by such a party.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 05:42
Latvian Public Media Prioritizes Coverage of 15th Saeima Elections
LSM, Latvia's public broadcaster, has made the upcoming 15th Saeima elections its top content priority, with detailed plans to be presented by Anita Brauna.
LSM (rus) · 12 Jun, 04:41
Amendments to Competition Law: Decision-Makers Also Liable for Bid Rigging
The Saeima has supported in second reading amendments that will allow holding not only companies but also their officials accountable for illegal agreements in public procurement.
LSM · 12 Jun, 04:41
Lithuanian PM Breached Law by Taking Family Members on Work Trips
Lithuania's Chief Official Ethics Commission ruled that Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė committed a serious breach of law by including her family in official delegations to Italy and the Vatican, with state-covered expenses.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 04:40
Estonia and Ukraine Stop Short of Signing Drone Deal; Latvia Signs
At the Ukraine-Nordic-Baltic summit in Tallinn, Estonia signed a joint declaration but did not sign a drone agreement, while Latvia did sign such an agreement.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 04:40
Organized Opposition to Wind Farms in Latvia: Concerns, Studies, and Regulatory Gaps
As Latvia plans dozens of new wind parks, organized resistance spreads arguments based on controversial studies. Authorities admit the regulatory framework is still evolving, fueling public distrust.
LSM · 12 Jun, 04:39
European Parliament Marks 85th Anniversary of Soviet Mass Deportations
A memorial ceremony in Brussels honored the millions deported in June 1941, including many from the Baltic states.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 03:39
Lithuania to prioritise ending seasonal clock changes during EU presidency
Lithuania will make ending the biannual time change a key priority during its EU Council presidency in the first half of next year, according to Transport Minister Juras Taminskas. He has been consulting with other EU member states and aims to bring the issue to the negotiating table.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 03:38
Estonian Rescue Service invites feedback on EE-ALARM public warning test
Estonia's Rescue Service is asking residents to submit feedback by the end of the week on the nationwide EE-ALARM public warning system test conducted on Wednesday.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 03:38
Lithuania to spend around €1 billion on military vehicles
Lithuania's Defence Ministry has signed a contract worth approximately €1 billion for military SUVs and trucks, with deliveries scheduled from 2026 to 2032.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 02:44
Hans Väre: Who Decides When the Press Goes Dark?
A new Estonian law allowing authorities to shut down media during crises raises concerns about accountability and censorship, argues journalist Hans Väre.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 02:44
Trump's Lithuanian ambassador nominee: What we know about Keith Noreika
US President Donald Trump has nominated lawyer Keith Noreika, a specialist in banking supervision and financial regulation with Lithuanian roots, to become the next US ambassador to Vilnius. The nomination still requires confirmation by the US Senate.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 02:44
Injured Latvian climber Martins Bilzens in stable condition after Alaska tragedy, but treatment may take months
Martins Bilzens, who was severely injured in the Alaska mountain tragedy that killed three Latvian climbers in late May, has overcome the critical phase and is now in stable condition, though his treatment in the US may continue for several months.
LSM (rus) · 12 Jun, 02:44
Estonian agency turns to TikTok and Roblox in bid to support troubled youth
The Education and Youth Board (Harno) plans to spend nearly €1 million on an online youth work service to reach young people aged 15–26 who are not in education or employment, using platforms like Discord, TikTok, and Roblox.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 02:43
Baltic drone incidents underscore need for stronger NATO eastern flank, Lithuanian PM says
Lithuanian Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė stated that recent drone incursions over the Baltic states highlight the necessity of a robust NATO presence on the alliance's eastern border, following an NB8 summit in Tallinn with Ukrainian President Zelensky.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 02:43
Head of the State Revenue Service: Political decisions fuel smuggling
Baiba Šmite-Roke, Director General of the State Revenue Service, stated on Thursday at a smuggling forum that poorly considered bans on e-cigarettes contribute to the growth of illicit trade.
LSM (rus) · 12 Jun, 02:43
Rising Costs and Tighter Budgets Reshape Estonia's Summer Concert Scene
Estonian concert promoters face increasing costs, shrinking sponsorship, and rising price sensitivity, especially outside Tallinn, forcing a rethink of summer events.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 02:42
Saeima Eliminates Risk of NGOs Losing Public Benefit Status for Donating to Ukraine
The Saeima adopted urgent amendments to allow non-governmental organizations to donate to Ukraine without losing their public benefit status.
LSM · 12 Jun, 02:42
Estonia drills civil unrest response, evacuation and crisis coordination in mass exercise
Estonia is conducting the large-scale ILVES 2026 civil defense exercise, training responses to simultaneous attacks including civil unrest, evacuation, and crisis coordination.
ERR News · 12 Jun, 02:41
Lithuania Charges Kyrgyz National with Financing Hamas
Lithuanian prosecutors have charged a Kyrgyz national with terrorist financing for allegedly transferring about 200 euros in cryptocurrency to Hamas's armed wing.
LRT English · 12 Jun, 02:41
Saeima approves 30-meter protective zone along Latvia's external border
On Thursday, June 11, the Saeima adopted urgent amendments to the Protective Zone Law in the final reading, establishing a 30-meter protective zone along Latvia's external land border to enhance security and facilitate infrastructure maintenance.
LSM · 12 Jun, 02:40