Dear readers,
It’s been a long, tough year in the Baltic states. From protests to wage cuts to vigilante killers, the news has been largely negative as the collapse of the economy created misery for millions. Here’s a look back at the 10 biggest stories of the year.
1. The crisis
The economic crisis and the damage it [...]

RIGA — The KHL season has played on through the holiday season but someone forgot to tell Dinamo Riga, who have taken a holiday from playing well.
Dinamo Riga played three games through the Christmas period but managed to secure just one point from their three games, in an overtime loss at home to CSKA on [...]

JELGAVA, Latvia — Being left of the official IIHF u.20 World Championship t-shirt has failed to ignite the young Latvians into standing up and being counted.
In Latvia sport begins and ends at ice hockey. Period. However, their passion for hockey goes seemingly unrecognized outside of the hockey-mad nation with the official t-shirt for the IIHF [...]

JELGAVA, Latvia — Lietuvos Rytas have enjoyed Christmas on the road, notching up three more victories in the Baltic Basketball League.
Due to their busy schedule in wider Europe, Lietuvos Rytas have to date been given a favorable draw in the BBL. This did however mean that they enjoyed their Kūčios on the road as they [...]

RIGA — Four more people have died from swine flu over the holidays in Latvia, the country’s Infectious Diseases Center reported, taking the total to 28 deaths.
The virus’ spread appears to be slowing in the country — now only 65 people per 100,000 residents are estimated to be infected, down from over 500 cases per [...]

TALLINN — Declining tax revenue has forced two of Estonia’s largest cities into a bitter fight over a loan and a likely bailout request to the cash-strapped national government.
Tallinn’s unpopular 2010 budget continues to cause a conflict between the municipal and national governments, as a loan that could threaten Estonia’s efforts to keep its fiscal [...]

VILNIUS — To quote Dickens: it was the best of times, it was the worst of times.
With Vilnius’ year as European Capital of Culture coming to a close, it’s clear the project failed to attract more tourists to the largest Baltic state. Recurring headlines about embezzlement and wasteful spending tarred the reputation of the Vilnius [...]

VILNIUS — As part of its campaign to annul wasteful contracts, the Vilnius International Airport is offering tender for taxi rights in 2010 upon the expiry of Martono Taxi’s contract.
All taxi companies operating in Vilnius are free to apply by contacting the airport. The requirements are cars manufactured no earlier than 2005 of uniform painting [...]

VILNIUS — Lithuania is not known for skiing tourism, but in a few years it could be. The resort town of Druskininkai is already well-known for its large indoor waterparks, but in 2013 it should features an indoor skiing slope.
Lithuania’s Ministry of Economy announced Monday that it has awarded 40 million litai (€11.5 million) to [...]

TALLINN — The Estonian Office of the Prosecutor General announced Monday that it is investigating the GILD Bankers investment bank for a fraudulent real estate development in Azerbaijan worth 250 million krooni (€16 million).
GILD Bankers is a pan-Baltic investment bank headquartered in Tallinn. In 2007, 24 Estonian debenture investors bought bonds worth 250 million krooni [...]