Baltic States
Estonia set to phase out pre-paid SIM cards, but ban could violate privacy rights
The Economics affairs ministry wants to phase out the sale of anonymous prepaid mobile SIM cards citing their widespread use for criminal activities using "burner" phones.
Estonia's government debt still lowest in EU
The government debt to GDP ratio for Estonia was 18.5% at the end of 2Q20, which was the lowest among the EU’s member states.
Estonia's ruling coalition shakes hands on marriage referendum
Referendum that could rule out gay marriage in Estonia brought forward to spring 2021.
US pledges up to €1bn for EU's eastern Three Seas region
Pledge made at virtual summit as Washington seeks to counter Chinese influence in Central and Southeast Europe.
Births, marriages and deaths all down in Latvia in 9M20
Latvia's population decreased by 7,100 as a result of natural population change in January-September, to an estimated 1,898,000 as of October 1.
Huawei wants Estonian government to re-evaluate communications networks regulation
Chinese telecoms giant urges Tallinn to reconsider draft regulation that would prevent it from working with local telecoms operators.
Two Latvian firms set up 5G lab in Riga
High-tech companies Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT) and MikroTik have jointly established a 5G laboratory, which is already testing 5G technology solutions.
Exports tumble across Baltics in 8M20
All three Baltic countries have posted year-on-year declines in exports for January-August 2020.
The EU summit puts its credibility on the line
The EU’s credibility was on the line as delegates met on October 1 in Brussels for a two-day summit to discuss a slew of headaches plaguing the Union.
Latvian retail trade turnover increased 4.4% y/y in August
Sales of electrical household appliances and cultural and recreation goods helped push up retail turnover.
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Head of MS Estonia tragedy investigation says ship went down after collision with submarine
The sinking of MS Estonia was the deadliest maritime disaster to have occurred in European waters, killing 852 people from 17 countries.
Latvian central bank says COVID-19 changed people's payment habits significantly
The share of non-cash payments in the total volume of payments is gradually increasing.