Lithuania remains an EU leader in terms of the market share of contraband cigarettes, according to KPMG’s market research, DELFI reports. The study found that altogether 2.63 billion cigarettes were consumed in Lithuania in 2022, which was 0.2 billion less than in 2021. Contraband cigarettes accounted for 0.59 billion of the total, which was 19.2%…
Hundreds of people took part in the Vilnius Pride march in the Lithuanian capital, Vilnius, on 1 July 2023, LRT reported. The march was organised by the Trans Autonomija association and civil society initiative Demonstruokimes (Let’s Demonstrate). Families with children and foreign guests had come to express their support for the Lithuanian LGBT community. Participants…
The Latvian government is discussing proposed changes to traffic rules for pedestrians, cyclists, and electric scooter drivers, LETA reports. Under the changes, two pedestrians will be allowed to walk side by side along the edge of low-speed roads with no pavement. Roller skating, skateboarding, and use of other similar equipment will only be allowed without…
Local governments and educational institutions in Latvia are concerned about the financial benefits of the government’s planned school network reform, Diena reports. Several questions remain unresolved, including the quantitative criteria to decide on keeping or reorganising schools. The Ministry of Education and Science estimates that 120 schools are likely to be affected by the changes,…
A new procedure has come into force in Lithuania in cases of domestic violence as of July 2023, LNK reports. If domestic violence is reported, police can order the suspect to leave the house immediately for 15 days. There are an average of 55,000 reports of domestic violence a year, and 86% of the victims…
Russia’s Justice Ministry has declared Alexey Gorpinchenko, Saint Petersburg correspondent for Estonian public broadcaster ERR’s Russian service, a “foreign agent,” ERR reports. The ministry accuses Gorpinchenko of “denouncing” Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, disseminating “untruthful” information about the war, and attracting international support. The “foreign agent” designation carries a variety of restrictions and potential fines.
More than a half (55%) of Latvian residents do not know what their pension will be when they reach retirement age, according to a survey conducted by Luminor Bank, TVNET reports. At the same time, 20% of residents admit that they do not know where to look for information about their pension savings. In the…
Scientists from Latvia’s Riga Technical University (RTU) have developed an environmentally friendly solution to the problem of dusty roads, LSM reports. The solution is now being tested on several road sections. Viktor Kharitonov, lead researcher at RTU’s Faculty of Civil Engineering, said that the solution extracts lignin from waste generated in wood processing and uses…
The Latvian capital, Riga, is hosting the Latvian Song and Dance Festival from 30 June to 10 July 2023. Tickets are still available to many festivities, and some events are free. In addition, you can watch performances live on LSM.