Daily Baltic

dailybaltic.comPolice arrest 11 suspected money mules and couriers in OctoberLatvia’s State Police arrested 11 suspected money mules and couriers in October, detaining people who allegedly collected cash and bank cards from victims of cyber fraud, misused others’ payment instruments and laundered criminal proceeds, LSM reported. The people arrested included young people, …

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Police arrest 11 suspected money mules and couriers in October #cybercrime #fraud #latvia

dailybaltic.comIsamaa trails Centre Party in polls by three firmsIsamaa fell behind the Centre Party in October polls by three polling firms, ERR reported, though two firms said the difference was within the margin of error. Turu-uuringute has previously recorded the Centre Party ahead of Isamaa in January and May, and did so again in October. October polls by…

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Isamaa trails Centre Party in polls by three firms #Estonianpolitics #opinionpolls #politicalparties

dailybaltic.comProsecutors seek more than €117,000 from nine Lithuanian councillorsLithuanian prosecutors are seeking more than €117,000 from nine current and former municipal councillors over expenses they say may not have been related to council work, LRT reported. The civil claims concern members of the councils of Prienai, Alytus and Lazdijai districts and Marijampolė. The …

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Prosecutors seek more than €117,000 from nine Lithuanian councillors

dailybaltic.comWomen build emotional intelligence through lifelong practiceWomen are better than men at recognising, understanding and supporting other people’s feelings, but the advantage appears to come from practice rather than an inborn trait, a study reported by ERR has found. Researchers analysed test results from more than 600,000 people, collected over nearly 30…

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Women build emotional intelligence through lifelong practice #emotionalintelligence #gender #psychology

dailybaltic.comMan’s body found in public place in VilniusLRT reports that a man’s body was found in a public place on Užupio Street in Vilnius on Tuesday. Police said the man was born in 1939 and had no visible signs of violence. A pre-trial investigation has been opened to establish the cause of death.

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Man’s body found in public place in Vilnius #death #police #vilnius

dailybaltic.comMan found dead in Kaunas district home with shotgun nearbyA man was found dead in a home in Šatijai village, Kaunas district, on Tuesday, LRT reported, citing police. The body of the man, born in 1969, was found at about 11:35 a.m. A legally owned IZH smoothbore shotgun was found nearby and seized. An investigation has been opened to establish the cause…

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Man found dead in Kaunas district home with shotgun nearby #Kaunasdistrict #lithuania #police

dailybaltic.comERR publishes its 7:00 television news bulletinEstonian Public Broadcasting (ERR) has published its 7:00 television news bulletin, which is available to listen to on its website.

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ERR publishes its 7:00 television news bulletin #ERR #Estonia #televisionnews

dailybaltic.comLeiputė says Lithuania lacks capacity for universal conscriptionLithuania does not yet have the instructors and infrastructure needed to introduce universal conscription, but is moving toward the model, ruling Social Democrat Orinta Leiputė said, LRT reported. “We do not yet have those capabilities, but I would not rule out that we are moving in that directio…

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Leiputė says Lithuania lacks capacity for universal conscription #conscription #defence #lithuania

dailybaltic.comTwelve firms submit proposals for Lithuania’s airspace monitoring systemTwelve companies and consortia have submitted initial proposals to develop an integrated airspace surveillance and control system, Lithuania’s Ministry of National Defence said, according to LRT. The competition includes individual Lithuanian companies as well as consortia bringing together Lithu…

Twelve firms submit proposals for Lithuania’s airspace monitoring system #airdefence #drones #lithuania

dailybaltic.comMinister predicts more firms linked to Latvia’s golden visa businessLatvian Interior Minister Jānis Dombrava said more companies may be found selling so-called golden visas to non-EU nationals, LSM reported, citing his remarks on Latvian Television’s Rīta Panorāma programme. “I appreciate the work of journalists. If they keep digging in this direction, more compa…

Minister predicts more firms linked to Latvia’s golden visa business #immigration #latvia #residencepermits

dailybaltic.comEstonian conductors take top two places at international competitionEstonian conductors Ingrit Malleus and Danny Xie Zhizhong won first and second place at the fourth Fosco Corti International Choir Conducting Competition in Turin last weekend, ERR reported. Malleus also received a special prize from a youth choir. A total of 92 applications were submitted for th…

Estonian conductors take top two places at international competition #choralmusic #Estonia #musiccompetitions

dailybaltic.comCentre Party overtakes Isamaa in Norstat pollThe Centre Party has moved ahead of Isamaa in a Norstat poll for the first time in three years, according to ERR. The four-week average puts the Centre Party at 23.1 percent and Isamaa at 22.8 percent. The Centre Party’s support rose by 1.4 percentage points in the latest weekly results, reaching…

Centre Party overtakes Isamaa in Norstat poll #Estonia #opinionpolls #politicalparties

dailybaltic.comKallas, Herem and Ligi to answer MPs’ questions in parliamentEducation and Research Minister Kristina Kallas, acting as prime minister, Defence Minister Martin Herem and Finance Minister Jürgen Ligi will answer MPs’ questions at a session of Estonia’s parliament on Wednesday, ERR reported. The session starts at noon and will be streamed live on the ERR web…

Kallas, Herem and Ligi to answer MPs’ questions in parliament #Estonia #government #Riigikogu

dailybaltic.comEthics commission to decide on probes into Matjošaitytė and Paluckė hiringLithuania’s Chief Official Ethics Commission will decide on Wednesday whether to open investigations into possible ties between election commission member Laura Matjošaitytė and tax inspectorate head Martynas Endrijaitis, and the hiring of former prime minister Gintautas Paluckas’s wife, Ilma, at…

Ethics commission to decide on probes into Matjošaitytė and Paluckė hiring #ethicscommission #lithuania #politics

dailybaltic.comKapo seeks restored access to enforcement registerThe head of Estonia’s Security Police, Margo Palloson, has asked for access to the enforcement register and e-arrest service to be restored, ERR reported. The Ministry of Justice and Digital Affairs ordered access for the Security Police and the Police and Border Guard Board to be closed after th…

Kapo seeks restored access to enforcement register #enforcementregister #Estonia #Kapo

dailybaltic.comLithuania closes registration for local election participantsLithuania is closing registration on Wednesday for participants in its direct mayoral and municipal council elections, while starting to accept nomination documents, LRT reported. By Tuesday evening, 18 political parties, 39 political committees and three self-nominated individuals had registered…

Lithuania closes registration for local election participants #elections #lithuania #localgovernment

dailybaltic.comMinister removes Jašin from Integration Foundation board after party switchCulture Minister Heidy Purga has removed Aleksei Jašin from the Integration Foundation’s supervisory board after he left Eesti 200 for the Social Democratic Party, ERR reports. A ministerial order says Eesti 200 proposed Jašin’s removal on October 15. The party’s letter is classified for internal…

Minister removes Jašin from Integration Foundation board after party switch #Eesti200 #Eestipolitics #IntegrationFoundation

dailybaltic.comLithuania proposes adding cargo transport and postal services to strategic listLithuania’s Transport Ministry has proposed adding strategic cargo transport, some postal services and other transport and IT activities to the list of activities important to national security, LRT reported. The draft government resolution would include maritime transport and the universal posta…

Lithuania proposes adding cargo transport and postal services to strategic list #lithuania #nationalsecurity #transport

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 …

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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…

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 …

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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…

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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…

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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…

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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…

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 …

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…

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