A jury in Estonia’s second-largest city, Tartu, has shortlisted six entries in an international architectural competition to design the Tartu Südalinna Cultural Centre (SÜKU), ERR reports. The jury, which is chaired by Tartu mayor Urmas Klaas, received altogether 107 entries for the competition. The award ceremony announcing the winning design will take place on 14…
Lithuania’s President, Gitanas Nauseda, said that everyone has the right to "civilised relations," commenting on the Vilnius Pride march on 1 July 2023, ELTA reports. Speaking in an interview with TV3, Nauseda expressed confidence that Lithuania would solve problems related to the question of civil partnerships. He argued that there was no reason to clash…
The Lithuanian MEP, Viktor Uspaskich, and his former wife, Jolanta Blazyte, are funding a new social media platform and alternative news website, 77.lt, LRT reports. The website, which was launched in April 2023, has attracted users who spread fake news about the coronavirus pandemic, vaccines, and the war in Ukraine. The network operates as part…
The online group of anti-disinformation activists, North Atlantic Fella Organization (NAFO), will hold a “summit” in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, ahead of the upcoming summit of NATO leaders, LRT reports. The community has evolved into an international movement that counters Russian propaganda through sarcasm, ridicule, and witty images. With no clear structure, NAFO operates in a…
The authorities in Lithuania’s capital, Vilnius, will remove old trolleybuses from city traffic temporarily for the duration of the NATO summit on 11-12 July 2023, LRT reports. The municipal public transport company, Vilniaus Viesasis Transportas, will remove old Skoda trolleybuses from traffic and have new trolleybuses running in the city during the summit. Also, bus…
Lithuanian stores no longer have free disposable plastic bags, prompting buyers to consider changing their habits, DELFI reports. Customers seem to be not immediately willing to give up disposable bags and are willing to pay 1 cent for them. However, most buyers expressed their intention to change their habits and start using reusable bags. One…
Latvia’s state-owned rail freight operator, LDz Cargo, has opened a branch in Estonia, DELFI reports. The new branch employs four people. The company’s strategic objective is to enter new markets and increase its rail freight volume to boost revenue. LDz Cargo began providing freight transportation services in Estonia in January 2023. The company has an…
The Latvian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees (LIZDA) has demanded the resignation of Education and Science Minister Anda Caksa by the end of the working day on 3 July 2023, DELFI reports. If the minister refuses to resign, LIZDA may take further action, potentially delaying the start of the new school year. The…
Tax revenue in Latvia totalled EUR 5.387bn in the first five months of 2023, which was EUR 600.9mn (12.6%) higher than in the same period of 2022, according to data from the Finance Ministry, LETA reported. Tax revenue thus exceeded the budget plan by EUR 166.4mn (3.2%). State tax revenue amounted to EUR 4.241bn (2.8%…