US technology company Google has removed the official accounts of EU-sanctioned Russian performers, following a request from the Lithuanian Radio and Television Commission (LRTK), BNS reports. LRTK asked Google to remove the YouTube accounts of several Russian artists who have been placed under EU sanctions for actively supporting Russia’s war against Ukraine.
Lithuania’s Ministry of Defence is negotiating with the US defence corporation, Northrop Grumman, on opening an ammunition factory in Lithuania, Defence Minister Laurynas Kasciunas announced, BNS reports. The factory would produce 30mm ammunition for infantry fighting vehicles. Kasciunas suggested that Lithuania’s state-owned ammunition manufacturer, Giraites Ginkluotes Gamykla, could house the new production line.
Latvians are very enthusiastic to take part in national defence, the commander of the Latvian National Armed Forces (NBS), Lieutenent General Leonids Kalnins, stated, LETA reports. Speaking in an interview with LTV, Kalnins said that the public had shown “enormous interest” in the recently announced open application for basic military training for reservists. Also, interest…
Estonia’s Ministry of Justice plans to submit a draft bill to expedite and make the handling of criminal cases more cost-effective, ERR reports. The proposed amendments aim to reduce delays in criminal proceedings by giving judges more control, such as preventing changes in defence attorneys to delay cases, separating civil claims from criminal cases, and…
Lithuania’s ministries of defence and finance are developing a mobile application to enable public donations for national defence, aiming for a summer rollout, BNS reports. Finance Minister Gintare Skaiste said that the app would allow for both periodic and one-off payments, similar to NGOs helping Ukraine. Earlier, the government rejected a proposal on voluntary donations…
Latvia’s Ministry of Defence will send over 2,500 combat drones of various types and capabilities to Ukraine, LSM reports. The drones, worth EUR 4mn, were manufactured by seven Latvian companies. The delivery is part of the international drone coalition formed to support the Armed Forces of Ukraine (ZSU). Latvia’s Ministry of Defence has allocated EUR…
Estonia’s incoming prime minister, Kristen Michal, said that the Estonian Reform Party would not propose reducing or repealing the tax-free income threshold during upcoming talks on forming a new coalition, ERR reports. Earlier, outgoing prime minister Kaja Kallas said that Reform had suggested lowering the basic income tax exemption, but that the party’s coalition partners…
A recent study reveals a significant increase in the occurrence of heat waves in the Baltic States, particularly Estonia, over the past 30 years, ERR reports. Using data from 40 weather stations in 1951-2021, the study assessed changes in heat waves using five common indices: Number, duration, total days, amplitude, and magnitude, showing a marked…
Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda said that Hungarian Prime Minister Viktor Orban’s meeting with Russian President Vladimir Putin in Moscow undermines confidence in Hungary’s EU presidency, BNS reports. Nauseda said that Orban’s “unilateral decision” to visit Moscow does not represent the EU position. “If you truly seek peace, you do not shake hands with a bloody…