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Latvia

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Latvia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Riga

Head of State

President Edgars Rinkēvičs

Head of Government

Prime Minister Evika Siliņa

United States

Opinion | Retreating globally, US finds a new arena to flex power – at home

Trump’s use of the military for domestic control without regard for constitutional boundaries should alert allies to a fundamental change in the US character.

22 Oct 2025 - 8:30PMvideocam

Russia

Baltic nations planning for mass evacuations in the event of a Russian attack

10 Oct 2025 - 3:02PMvideocam

Britain

UK police arrest 3 for spying as Lithuania eyes Russia-linked sabotage network

18 Sep 2025 - 7:55PMvideocam

China-EU relations

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

17 Sep 2025 - 5:01PMvideocam

Some of China’s manufacturing industries, including the new-energy sector, have been plagued by low-price competition, or involution. Photo: Xinhua

Nato

Nato on high alert as Russia and Belarus launch major war games

Military drills heighten tensions, while France plans to send fighter jets to Poland - which says drone incursions were no mistake.

12 Sep 2025 - 7:21PM

China's military weapons

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

4 Sep 2025 - 10:45PMvideocam

Russia

Russia needles Nato by escalating electronic warfare against Baltic nations

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia press global organisations to take action against Moscow for threatening aviation and maritime safety.

24 Aug 2025 - 12:12PMvideocam

A rocket launcher is fired during a military exercise in Lithuania in June. Vilnius has accused Russia of orchestrating a spike in GPS jamming.

Ukraine war

Zelensky signs decree for Ukraine’s withdrawal from anti-personnel mines treaty

Driven by Russia’s widespread use of mines, the decision aims to restore Ukraine’s right to defend its territory.

30 Jun 2025 - 2:27PM

France

France charges UK man over staged Disneyland ‘marriage’ with child

The man, who has a criminal record in Britain for sexual assault offences, staged the wedding with a girl, 9.

24 Jun 2025 - 5:50PM

European Union

Poland, Baltic nations to quit landmine treaty amid Russia threat

Quitting the 1997 treaty will allow Poland and the three Baltic countries to start stockpiling and using landmines again.

19 Mar 2025 - 1:28AMvideocam

A Ukrainian sapper in special shoes takes part in a demining operation in the Kharkiv area of northeastern Ukraine on March 12. Photo: EPA-EFE

Russia

Lithuania blames Russian military intelligence for Ikea store arson

The Ikea store was set ablaze in Vilnius in May 2024 and caused no casualties.

17 Mar 2025 - 10:09PMvideocam

People cool off in a public fountain in Vilnius, Lithuania. Lithuania, a Baltic state and Nato member, has been a staunch ally of Kyiv since Moscow invaded Ukraine in February 2022, and frequently warned against sabotage attempts inspired by Russia. photo: AP

Norway

Norway detains ship suspected of damaging Sweden-Latvia cable

The Russian crew and Norway-owned shipping company are cooperating with the authorities, police say, days after Sweden detained another vessel.

31 Jan 2025 - 8:44PM

American cinema

The Brutalist, Emilia Perez and Shogun win big at Golden Globes

Musical Emilia Perez and drama The Brutalist win best film awards, TV’s Shogun has a great night, Baby Reindeer and Demi Moore win too.

6 Jan 2025 - 2:26PMvideocam

Mergers & Acquisitions

US private-equity firm invests in Chinese-owned personal care brand Stenders

Investment firm says now is a good time to lean into China’s consumer sector amid lower competition and valuations.

10 Sep 2024 - 5:27PM

An assortment of Stenders bath bombs. Photo: Handout

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Explainer | US women set to defend 3X3 basketball crown in Paris, men debut as favourites

The addition of Jimmer Fredette has made the US gold medal contenders, but Serbia, led by ‘Dr Strange’, the world’s top player, will be tough opposition.

30 Jul 2024 - 2:00PM

Japan and France in a women’s 3x3 basketball quarter-final match at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021. Photo: AFP

Ukraine war

Opinion | How Nato’s China focus obscures greater threats coming from within

Discussions of China dominated the recent Nato summit, but what about the dangers of a sapping war in Ukraine and Trump ‘s potential return?

22 Jul 2024 - 9:30AMvideocam

World Trade Organization (WTO)

At WTO, China’s trade policy sparks war of words amid geopolitical unease

Concerns about industrial overcapacity and lack of transparency in state subsidies elicit ‘frank and open’ exchanges, revealing deep schisms.

20 Jul 2024 - 1:45AMvideocam

Nato

Threats from Putin, Xi will be a focus of upcoming Nato summit

The defence alliance, which is marking its 75th anniversary, will address the war in Ukraine and China’s role in bolstering Moscow, says senior US official.

6 Jul 2024 - 5:54AMvideocam

119

Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping shake hands prior to their talks in Beijing in May. Photo: Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP

Performing arts in Hong Kong

HK Phil appoints Finnish conductor, 24, as next music director

Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski says he ‘couldn’t ask for more in an orchestra’, praising its ‘very high level’ as he is named music director of Hong Kong Philharmonic at 24 years old.

4 Jul 2024 - 8:23PM

Singapore

Singapore outranks Japan for world’s most powerful passport in 2024

Singapore passport holders have the most flexibility for travel worldwide, with the ability to visit 195 countries without a visa.

29 Jun 2024 - 11:02PMvideocam

Russia

Belarus to join Russia’s second-stage nuclear exercises

In theory the use of tactical nuclear weapons could deliver a stunning shock to the West without necessarily prompting a full-blown nuclear war, though the risk of triggering a cycle of escalation would be huge.

10 Jun 2024 - 6:33PM

Russia’s President Vladimir Putin (right) and Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko at the Independence Palace in Minsk on May 24. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

China hawk von der Leyen confident of new term as Europe lurches right

European Commission president’s party remains largest parliamentary group while heavyweights Macron and Scholz damaged.

10 Jun 2024 - 2:45PM

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen celebrates at the European People’s Party headquarters in Brussels on Sunday. Photo: AP

European Union

Slovaks and others vote in EU elections under shadow of assassination attempt

Analysts say the Slovak ruling coalition has been using the attack on PM Robert Fico ‘expediently’ to boost his party’s chances of victory.

8 Jun 2024 - 5:10PM

Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | How the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor can help revive Asia-Europe trade

As disruptions send shipping costs surging and trade volumes slow, the overland Trans-Caspian International Transport Route offers a cheaper, more sustainable option through Kazakhstan.

5 Jun 2024 - 8:30PM

China-EU relations

China’s best friends in EU Parliament fight for political lives back in Ireland

MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace have attracted global attention for their anti-US views and support for Moscow and Beijing within the parliament.

3 Jun 2024 - 3:51PM

Mick Wallace and Clare Daly pictured with China’s ambassador to the EU Fu Cong in Brussels. Photo: Mission of the PRC in EU

French Open

When is the French Open 2024, and who can battle Novak Djokovic for the title?

Everything you need to know about the world’s biggest clay-court tennis event where Ronald Garros king Rafael Nadal, who has won tournament 14 times, is likely to be featuring for last time.

23 May 2024 - 4:47PM

Novak Djokovic is looking to defend his men’s singles title at the 2024 French Open. Photo: AFP

European Union

LGBTQ people in EU face less discrimination, more violence: survey

Online survey of more than 100,000 people shows LGBTQ people in Europe faced more violence, harassment, and bullying.

15 May 2024 - 4:42PMvideocam

Georgia

More protests in Georgia after parliament passes ‘foreign influence’ law

Huge throngs of protesters blocked streets in the capital of Georgia and milled angrily outside the parliament building after lawmakers approved a bill that critics call a Russian-style threat to free speech.

15 May 2024 - 1:53PM

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Latvia

.css-1m2rp1p{color:#34b8b5;}Opinion | Retreating globally, US finds a new arena to flex power – at home

Trump’s use of the military for domestic control without regard for constitutional boundaries should alert allies to a fundamental change in the US character.

Baltic nations planning for mass evacuations in the event of a Russian attack

UK police arrest 3 for spying as Lithuania eyes Russia-linked sabotage network

Flagging imbalances in China, EU chamber urges course correction in 5-year plan

Exhorting the need for a ‘new, productive development model’, latest chamber position paper airs members’ grievances.

Nato on high alert as Russia and Belarus launch major war games

Military drills heighten tensions, while France plans to send fighter jets to Poland - which says drone incursions were no mistake.

Western leaders parse China military parade displaying national pride

US President Donald Trump says America deserves more credit for helping China gain its freedom.

Russia needles Nato by escalating electronic warfare against Baltic nations

Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia press global organisations to take action against Moscow for threatening aviation and maritime safety.

Zelensky signs decree for Ukraine’s withdrawal from anti-personnel mines treaty

Driven by Russia’s widespread use of mines, the decision aims to restore Ukraine’s right to defend its territory.

France charges UK man over staged Disneyland ‘marriage’ with child

The man, who has a criminal record in Britain for sexual assault offences, staged the wedding with a girl, 9.

Poland, Baltic nations to quit landmine treaty amid Russia threat

Quitting the 1997 treaty will allow Poland and the three Baltic countries to start stockpiling and using landmines again.

Lithuania blames Russian military intelligence for Ikea store arson

The Ikea store was set ablaze in Vilnius in May 2024 and caused no casualties.

Norway detains ship suspected of damaging Sweden-Latvia cable

The Russian crew and Norway-owned shipping company are cooperating with the authorities, police say, days after Sweden detained another vessel.

The Brutalist, Emilia Perez and Shogun win big at Golden Globes

Musical Emilia Perez and drama The Brutalist win best film awards, TV’s Shogun has a great night, Baby Reindeer and Demi Moore win too.

US private-equity firm invests in Chinese-owned personal care brand Stenders

Investment firm says now is a good time to lean into China’s consumer sector amid lower competition and valuations.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | US women set to defend 3X3 basketball crown in Paris, men debut as favourites

The addition of Jimmer Fredette has made the US gold medal contenders, but Serbia, led by ‘Dr Strange’, the world’s top player, will be tough opposition.

Opinion | How Nato’s China focus obscures greater threats coming from within

Discussions of China dominated the recent Nato summit, but what about the dangers of a sapping war in Ukraine and Trump ‘s potential return?

At WTO, China’s trade policy sparks war of words amid geopolitical unease

Concerns about industrial overcapacity and lack of transparency in state subsidies elicit ‘frank and open’ exchanges, revealing deep schisms.

Threats from Putin, Xi will be a focus of upcoming Nato summit

The defence alliance, which is marking its 75th anniversary, will address the war in Ukraine and China’s role in bolstering Moscow, says senior US official.

HK Phil appoints Finnish conductor, 24, as next music director

Finnish conductor Tarmo Peltokoski says he ‘couldn’t ask for more in an orchestra’, praising its ‘very high level’ as he is named music director of Hong Kong Philharmonic at 24 years old.

Singapore outranks Japan for world’s most powerful passport in 2024

Singapore passport holders have the most flexibility for travel worldwide, with the ability to visit 195 countries without a visa.

Belarus to join Russia’s second-stage nuclear exercises

In theory the use of tactical nuclear weapons could deliver a stunning shock to the West without necessarily prompting a full-blown nuclear war, though the risk of triggering a cycle of escalation would be huge.

China hawk von der Leyen confident of new term as Europe lurches right

European Commission president’s party remains largest parliamentary group while heavyweights Macron and Scholz damaged.

Slovaks and others vote in EU elections under shadow of assassination attempt

Analysts say the Slovak ruling coalition has been using the attack on PM Robert Fico ‘expediently’ to boost his party’s chances of victory.

Opinion | How the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor can help revive Asia-Europe trade

As disruptions send shipping costs surging and trade volumes slow, the overland Trans-Caspian International Transport Route offers a cheaper, more sustainable option through Kazakhstan.

China’s best friends in EU Parliament fight for political lives back in Ireland

MEPs Clare Daly and Mick Wallace have attracted global attention for their anti-US views and support for Moscow and Beijing within the parliament.

When is the French Open 2024, and who can battle Novak Djokovic for the title?

Everything you need to know about the world’s biggest clay-court tennis event where Ronald Garros king Rafael Nadal, who has won tournament 14 times, is likely to be featuring for last time.

LGBTQ people in EU face less discrimination, more violence: survey

Online survey of more than 100,000 people shows LGBTQ people in Europe faced more violence, harassment, and bullying.

More protests in Georgia after parliament passes ‘foreign influence’ law

Huge throngs of protesters blocked streets in the capital of Georgia and milled angrily outside the parliament building after lawmakers approved a bill that critics call a Russian-style threat to free speech.

Opinion | Retreating globally, US finds a new arena to flex power – at home

Explainer | US women set to defend 3X3 basketball crown in Paris, men debut as favourites