Daily Baltic

dailybaltic.comResearcher studies faster, more precise radiation therapy for cancerA Latvian physicist is investigating how accelerator technology could deliver radiation therapy faster and more precisely to destroy cancer cells while limiting damage to healthy tissue, LSM reports. Kristaps Paļskis, a doctoral student in a joint particle physics programme run by Riga Technical …

12m

Researcher studies faster, more precise radiation therapy for cancer #cancerresearch #latvia #radiationtherapy

dailybaltic.comTartu law faculty opposes adding sex offenders’ photos to registerTartu University’s Faculty of Law says a public photo register of people convicted of sexual offences would conflict with human dignity, the rule of law and European Union data protection law, and hinder their reintegration. The faculty’s assessment was reported by ERR. The Justice Ministry wants…

12m

Tartu law faculty opposes adding sex offenders’ photos to register #childprotection #Estonia #law

dailybaltic.comRain is expected to increase across Lithuania by FridayRain is expected to become more widespread in Lithuania later this week, with light showers or drizzle forecast in many areas on Friday, LRT reports. Wednesday morning was calm, though fog reduced visibility in some places. Temperatures ranged from 0 to 5 degrees Celsius, and frost occurred overn…

12m

Rain is expected to increase across Lithuania by Friday #forecast #lithuania #weather

dailybaltic.comFood marketer says Nutri-Score oversimplifies food ratingsThe Nutri-Score food traffic-light label is coming to Estonian grocery stores, but critics say its ratings can oversimplify products, ERR reported. Urmas Villmann, creative director at advertising agency Kontuur, said on ETV’s “Impulss” that shoppers may see a red rating as a sign a product is ba…

27m

Food marketer says Nutri-Score oversimplifies food ratings #Estonia #foodlabelling #NutriScore

dailybaltic.comElron plans to upgrade Tartu-Riga trains and lease them in LatviaEstonian state-owned passenger rail company Elron wants to refurbish three trains used on the Tartu-Riga route and may lease them to Latvia’s passenger rail operator, Vivi, for domestic services, ERR reported. The upgrades are intended to improve passenger comfort and help attract more riders. El…

42m

Elron plans to upgrade Tartu-Riga trains and lease them in Latvia #Estonia #latvia #railtransport

dailybaltic.comSauna visits bring warmth and companionship to Pilcene seniorsFor three years, sauna practitioner Sandra Šakina has visited seniors at the Pilcene nursing home twice a month, where sessions have grown so popular that residents now form a waiting list, LSM’s Latgale editorial office reports. Residents say they feel better physically and emotionally after a v…

57m

Sauna visits bring warmth and companionship to Pilcene seniors #latvia #seniorcare #Wellness

dailybaltic.comIsamaa lawyer says court ruling unlikely before electionsA court ruling in the criminal case involving the Isamaa party is unlikely before Estonia’s parliamentary elections, the party’s lawyer Jaanus Tehver said, ERR reports. Prosecutors have yet to file formal charges. The investigation concerns alleged prohibited donations to Isamaa, mainly in the fo…

57m

Isamaa lawyer says court ruling unlikely before elections #criminalinvestigation #Estonia #Isamaa

dailybaltic.comThousands of birds gather at Žuvintas before migrationThousands of migratory birds are gathering at Lake Žuvintas as they prepare for long journeys to wintering grounds, LRT reported. Greylag, tundra bean and white-fronted geese leave the shallow lake noisily early each morning and return in the evening to spend the night. The marshy lake provides s…

Thousands of birds gather at Žuvintas before migration #birds #migration #Žuvintas

dailybaltic.comAllikmaa urges Estonia to restore online gambling tax to 7%Margus Allikmaa, head of the Cultural Endowment of Estonia, says hopes that lowering the remote gambling tax would generate money for a large hall were based on “fiction”. He told ERR’s ETV programme Esimene stuudio that the rate should eventually return to 7%. Allikmaa said the tax cut had been …

Allikmaa urges Estonia to restore online gambling tax to 7% #culture #Estonia #gamblingtax

dailybaltic.comKostivere karst area reveals its changing underground riverThe Kostivere karst area is currently offering visitors a chance to walk among limestone formations before rising water covers them, ERR reports. A new educational trail there will also be accessible to wheelchair users. Local nature guide Tiia Nool said the underground Jõelähtme River is beginni…

Kostivere karst area reveals its changing underground river #Estonia #Kostivere #nature

dailybaltic.comEstonia to see sunshine and showers on WednesdayEstonia will have a mix of sunshine and rain on Wednesday, with showers mainly in the west, ERR reports. A high-pressure system over Russia is expected to have a slight influence overnight and during the day. Most of the country will remain dry, while clouds and showers move into the west, includ…

Estonia to see sunshine and showers on Wednesday #Estonia #forecast #weather

dailybaltic.comJēkabpils passengers struggle to find seats on Daugavpils-Riga trainsPassengers travelling from Daugavpils to Riga on Sunday evenings often have to stand or sit on the floor, and the schedule will be adjusted to ease the pressure, LSM reports. The number of routes offering reserved seats is also expected to increase next year. By the time the train reaches Krustpi…

Jēkabpils passengers struggle to find seats on Daugavpils-Riga trains #Jēkabpils #latvia #railtransport

dailybaltic.comLatvia to review Academy of Sciences’ role and operationsLatvia will establish an inter-institutional commission to review the Latvian Academy of Sciences’ operations, functions and future role, LSM reported. Education and Science Minister Ilze Indriksone of the National Alliance said the academy’s situation had reached a critical point. Its original m…

Latvia to review Academy of Sciences’ role and operations #latvia #LatvianAcademyofSciences #Science

dailybaltic.comCare home investment scheme offers Latvian residence permitsA company linked to Latvian Economic Institute director Ņina Linde advertised residence permits in exchange for investment in a planned senior care home, LSM reported. The offer has also drawn attention to Linde’s connection to a citizenship scandal involving Indian citizen Divja Višvanata. Inves…

Care home investment scheme offers Latvian residence permits #investmentscheme #latvia #residencepermits

dailybaltic.comInga says authenticity makes Eesti Laul artists memorableSinger Inga says the artists who stand out most in Eesti Laul are those who stay true to their own style rather than copy past trends, ERR reported. Last week, 12 acts were announced for the competition, which takes place in January and offers the winner a chance to represent Estonia at the Eurov…

Inga says authenticity makes Eesti Laul artists memorable #EestiLaul #Eurovision #Inga

dailybaltic.comProfessor says LED tender prioritised quality and efficiencyA lighting expert testified in a Šiauliai corruption case that energy efficiency and product quality were the main priorities in a public tender for LED streetlights, LRT reported. He said the specifications were designed to allow as many suppliers as possible to compete. Vilnius University profe…

Professor says LED tender prioritised quality and efficiency #corruptioncase #publicprocurement #Šiauliai

dailybaltic.comMarmormaze turns Mustamäe into a horror gameMusician and rapper Marmormaze has released Mount Noire, a survival horror game inspired by Mustamäe, a district of Tallinn, ERR reported. The game transforms the district’s apartment blocks, streets and landmarks into a surreal nightmare. Inspired by the visual style of computer games from aroun…

Marmormaze turns Mustamäe into a horror game #culture #Mustamäe #videogames

dailybaltic.comRöögatus! festival explores the boundaries of literatureThe Röögatus! literature festival opened at Tallinn University on Tuesday with a quiz on this year’s theme: transgression, or crossing boundaries in the broadest sense, ERR reports. Organised by the university’s literary club Üdi, the festival features talks, discussions, workshops and creative e…

Röögatus! festival explores the boundaries of literature #festivals #literature #Tallinn

dailybaltic.comVahtras says recovery will take time as consumers turn cautiousEconomic recovery will take time to reach households, Economy and Industry Minister Liina Vahtras told ERR, as a new survey showed business confidence improving while consumers became more pessimistic in October. Statistics Estonia’s confidence surveys found that businesses’ assessments of curren…

Vahtras says recovery will take time as consumers turn cautious #consumerconfidence #economy #Estonia

dailybaltic.comSupreme Court rejects bid to annul Latvia’s parliamentary election resultsLatvia’s Supreme Court has ruled inadmissible a request to cancel certification of the 15th Saeima election results and hold a repeat vote, while referring a candidate-list dispute to another court, LSM reported. The Supreme Court said it had received two applications concerning the election and …

Supreme Court rejects bid to annul Latvia’s parliamentary election results #elections #latvia #SupremeCourt

dailybaltic.comTerras says Herem wants to reshape Estonia’s defence planEstonian Defence Minister Martin Herem wants to revise the country’s ten-year defence development plan, with a focus on air and maritime capabilities, ERR reported. He will present his views to the National Defence Council next week. The plan was completed in the spring, but Herem says developmen…

Terras says Herem wants to reshape Estonia’s defence plan #defence #Estonia #MartinHerem

dailybaltic.comFamilies of children with cancer need psychological supportAbout 70 children in Latvia are diagnosed with cancer each year, and families often need psychological support during and after treatment, LSM reported. While treatment outcomes in paediatric oncology are relatively good, coping with the illness can be a severe emotional challenge for the whole f…

Families of children with cancer need psychological support #children #health #latvia

dailybaltic.comRail Baltica construction focuses on Tallinn-Pärnu sectionRail Baltic Estonia is focusing on building the Tallinn-Pärnu section, with its main construction work expected to near completion by the end of 2030, ERR reported. The section is planned to enter service by the end of 2032, while the full Estonian part of the railway is due to be completed by th…

Rail Baltica construction focuses on Tallinn-Pärnu section #Estonia #RailBaltica #transport

dailybaltic.comVytautas Landsbergis admitted to intensive care at Santaros ClinicsProfessor Vytautas Landsbergis has been admitted to the intensive care unit at Santaros Clinics and is undergoing tests, LRT reported, citing confirmation from his son to LRT Television. Landsbergis, the first leader of independent Lithuania, turned 94 on October 18. He needed medical care in Apr…

Vytautas Landsbergis admitted to intensive care at Santaros Clinics #lithuania #SantarosClinics #VytautasLandsbergis

dailybaltic.comRiina Solman to discuss Isamaa and election campaign on ERR showERR reports that Tallinn Deputy Mayor Riina Solman of the Isamaa party will be the guest on its web programme “Otse uudistemajast” on Wednesday. Host Joosep Värk will speak with Solman about party support, Isamaa’s work and support in Tallinn, and the campaign for the parliamentary elections. The…

Riina Solman to discuss Isamaa and election campaign on ERR show #ERR #Isamaa #RiinaSolman

dailybaltic.comEstonian banks earn 9% more in first nine monthsEstonian banks earned 539 million euros in the first nine months of the year, about 9% more than a year earlier, ERR reported, citing Eesti Pank. Growth in banks’ loan portfolios and a rise in Euribor boosted interest income. Lower loan impairment allowances also supported profits, as banks asses…

Estonian banks earn 9% more in first nine months #banking #economy #Estonia

dailybaltic.comValka agrees to begin financial stabilisation processValka municipality has agreed to begin a financial stabilisation process, which will place its work under Finance Ministry oversight, LSM reports. The council is expected to decide on starting the process after acknowledging it cannot resolve the situation on its own. The Finance Ministry has des…

Valka agrees to begin financial stabilisation process #latvia #municipalfinances #Valka

dailybaltic.comAugust Künnapu says positive energy and simple images define his artArtist August Künnapu’s new exhibition in Tallinn brings together sports, cats and portraits, reflecting themes he says have interested him for 25 years, ERR reports. The exhibition, “Water sportspeople, cats, a pole vaulter, Brigitte Bardot and others,” is on show at Truus Gallery and features w…

August Künnapu says positive energy and simple images define his art #art #AugustKünnapu #Tallinn

dailybaltic.comVanšu Bridge repairs may be delayed as traffic costs mountRepairs to Riga’s Vanšu Bridge may have to start later than planned if several key issues remain unresolved, LSM reports. Riga hopes to keep to the proposed schedule, but Latvian State Roads has warned that a temporary bridge may not be built quickly enough. Up to 60,000 cars cross the bridge eac…

13h

Vanšu Bridge repairs may be delayed as traffic costs mount #Riga #transport #VanšuBridge

dailybaltic.comGetliņi landfill could run out of space within eight yearsGetliņi, the Baltic region’s largest landfill for unsorted household waste, could be full within seven or eight years, and officials have no clear plan for what comes next, LSM reported. More than 40 tonnes of waste arrive at the landfill each day. It receives almost half of all the waste handed …

13h

Getliņi landfill could run out of space within eight years #environment #latvia #waste

dailybaltic.comLatvia to assess three child protection reform models by MarchThe Latvian government has approved a report setting out plans to assess three models for reforming the child protection system by early March, LSM reports. The review follows a proposal by the ombudsman to reform the country’s orphan’s courts, guardianship authorities that handle child protectio…

13h

Latvia to assess three child protection reform models by March #childprotection #governmentreform #latvia

dailybaltic.comLatvia’s media literacy improves, but critical thinking still lagsMedia literacy in Latvia has improved but remains at a moderate level, according to a new study by the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP), reported by LSM. Residents scored 5.9 out of 10 overall. Their strongest area was using technology, with a score of 7, while critical thinking and…

Latvia’s media literacy improves, but critical thinking still lags #digitalskills #latvia #medialiteracy

dailybaltic.comDelfi Meedia to file Press Council complaint over Kuuuurija reportEstonian media company Delfi Meedia will file a complaint with the Press Council over a report on the TV programme Kuuuurija titled “Spies in Delfi?”, ERR reported. Delfi Meedia editor-in-chief Urmo Soonvald said the report spread falsehoods and unjustifiably disclosed information about people wh…

Delfi Meedia to file Press Council complaint over Kuuuurija report #DelfiMeedia #mediaethics #PostimeesGroup

dailybaltic.comAnu Põder’s first Swedish solo exhibition opens in MalmöAnu Põder’s first solo exhibition in Sweden has opened at the Malmö Museum of Contemporary Art, highlighting three decades of work by the Estonian artist. Her legacy collection’s manager, Berit Teeäär, told ERR that Põder stood out for her uniqueness. The exhibition traces Põder’s creative develo…

Anu Põder’s first Swedish solo exhibition opens in Malmö #AnuPõder #art #Estonia

dailybaltic.comKulbergs to propose new government model and minister mission lettersPrime Minister Andris Kulbergs will propose a short government declaration, separate tasks for parliament and mission letters setting out ministers’ main responsibilities in talks with potential coalition partners, LSM reports. Kulbergs said lawmakers from his United List alliance had backed his …

Kulbergs to propose new government model and minister mission letters #AndrisKulbergs #governmentformation #latvia

dailybaltic.comWard representative appeals dismissal of Rita Miliūtė gesture caseLRT reports that the administrative case against journalist Rita Miliūtė over showing her middle finger remains unresolved after a local representative appealed a court ruling that upheld the case’s dismissal. Violeta Fominienė-Salemonė, representative of the Vaikų sub-eldership in Naujininkai, f…

Ward representative appeals dismissal of Rita Miliūtė gesture case #lithuania #LRT #RitaMiliūtė

dailybaltic.comLatvian MP wants citizenship bills limited to president and governmentLatvian citizenship bills should be introduced in parliament only by the president or the Cabinet of Ministers, United List MP Česlavs Batņa said, LSM reported. He said the president and government could properly verify applicants’ achievements and the information they provide. MPs can currently …

Latvian MP wants citizenship bills limited to president and government #citizenship #latvia #parliament

dailybaltic.comLiina Kersna says she will step away from politicsReform Party member and Estonian MP Liina Kersna announced Tuesday that she plans to take a break from politics and will not run in next spring’s parliamentary election, ERR reported. Kersna said she had viewed politics as a temporary privilege and had never considered herself a lifelong professi…

Liina Kersna says she will step away from politics #Estonia #LiinaKersna #politics

dailybaltic.comOmbudsperson tells Kaunas commission to review cemetery memorial requestLithuania’s parliamentary ombudsperson has told a Kaunas mayor-appointed commission to thoroughly review a woman’s request for permission to erect a memorial at Eiguliai Cemetery, LRT reported Tuesday. Ombudsperson Jolita Miliuvienė found that the city failed to follow rules for identifying grave…

Ombudsperson tells Kaunas commission to review cemetery memorial request #cemeteries #Kaunas #publicadministration

dailybaltic.comGovernment allocates 11 million euros for ministry building renovationThe Estonian government has allocated 11 million euros towards renovating a new headquarters for the Interior Ministry, ERR reported. The project will cost 14.77 million euros, with 3.68 million euros coming from the EU Modernisation Fund. The ministry plans to move from its current headquarters …

Government allocates 11 million euros for ministry building renovation #Estonia #governmentspending #interiorministry

dailybaltic.comDavidonytė says Laučius appointment undermines trust in ethics commissionThe appointment of journalist and political scientist Vladimir Laučius, who has driven while intoxicated, to the Public Information Ethics Commission (VIEK) risks undermining confidence in the entire body, Lithuanian Journalists’ Professional Association chair Birutė Davidonytė told ELTA, LRT rep…

Davidonytė says Laučius appointment undermines trust in ethics commission #journalismethics #lithuania #media

dailybaltic.comLatvia tightens firearm storage and transport rulesLatvia’s government on Tuesday approved stricter requirements for storing and transporting firearms and ammunition to reduce the risk of unauthorised access, LSM reported. The changes apply mainly to private owners of firearms for self-defence, hunting and sport. Storage requirements will vary ac…

Latvia tightens firearm storage and transport rules #firearms #latvia #publicsafety

dailybaltic.comLatvia plans to separate botanical garden from nature agencyLatvia plans to separate the National Botanical Garden in Salaspils from the Nature Conservation Agency, after the government gave preliminary support to the proposal on Tuesday, LSM reported. The garden would again operate as a direct administration institution under the minister for smart admin…

Latvia plans to separate botanical garden from nature agency #latvia #NationalBotanicalGarden #publicadministration

dailybaltic.comEBU urges Meta to let media block content scrapingThe European Broadcasting Union (EBU) is urging Meta to revise business terms that could allow it to scrape content from websites linked to business accounts, including those run by news publishers. The EBU says public media should not have to surrender control of its content to reach audiences, …

EBU urges Meta to let media block content scraping #artificialintelligence #media #Meta

dailybaltic.comLithuania climbs to 16th in global rule of law indexLithuania rose two places to 16th in the global Rule of Law Index, LRT reported, citing the World Justice Project. The 2025 index ranked the country 18th among 143 countries. Lithuania had held 18th place from 2021 to 2025. In the European Union region, it ranks 12th among 31 countries. The index…

Lithuania climbs to 16th in global rule of law index #lithuania #ruleoflaw #WorldJusticeProject

dailybaltic.comAward-winning series My dear mother to air on ETVThe Estonian psychological thriller My dear mother will begin airing on ETV on Thursday, October 29, after winning five Estonian Film and Television Awards. The series has also received recognition abroad, ERR reported. The series won the award for best television series at this year’s Estonian F…

Award-winning series My dear mother to air on ETV #Estoniantelevision #ETV #Mydearmother

dailybaltic.comLithuania climbs to 16th in global rule of law indexLithuania rose two places to 16th in the global Rule of Law Index, LRT reported, ranking 16th among 143 countries. The country was 18th in the previous ranking. Within the European Union region, Lithuania placed 12th among 31 countries. The World Justice Project compiles the index using surveys o…

Lithuania climbs to 16th in global rule of law index #lithuania #ruleoflaw #WorldJusticeProject

dailybaltic.comLatvia approves €2.23 million for seven foreign film productionsLatvia’s government has approved an additional €2.23 million in state funding for seven foreign film productions scheduled to shoot in the country in 2027, LSM reports. The Investment and Development Agency of Latvia approved the projects in its fourth selection round. They will receive a total o…

16h

Latvia approves €2.23 million for seven foreign film productions #Film #latvia #statebudget

dailybaltic.comLatvia to expand mandatory e-address use and auto-activate companiesLatvia’s government on Tuesday approved amendments to expand the groups required to use the official electronic address, or e-address, for communication with public authorities, LSM reported. The changes would also automatically create and activate e-addresses for newly registered organisations a…

16h

Latvia to expand mandatory e-address use and auto-activate companies #businesses #eaddress #latvia