The editor-in-chief of Russian propaganda agency Sputnik’s Lithuanian edition, Marats Kasems, has fled Latvia, fearing criminal prosecution, Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, announced, LETA reports. Riga-based Russian independent news website Meduza reported that Kasems was now in Russia. Meanwhile, his Facebook page indicates that he is currently in the UK. Earlier, Kasems pled…
A group of MPs from Latvia’s ruling New Unity party has proposed amendments that would introduce harsher penalties for exceeding speed limits in road traffic, Baltic News Network reports. Under the proposal, the fine for driving 60 km/h or more above the speed limit would rise from the current EUR 240-460 to EUR 720-960 and…
Latvia’s State Revenue Service (VID) has published a list of the country’s 17 largest corporate taxpayers, Baltic News Network reports. VID highlighted the largest taxpayers in the large, medium, and small business segments in Latvia’s five regions. The country’s biggest taxpayer in 2022 was Polish-owned fuel trader Orlen Latvija, which paid 278.95mn in taxes. In…
Latvia has currently around 50,000 unemployed people, which is an all-time low, according to data from the State Employment Agency (NVA), LETA reports. The country’s unemployment rate now stands at 5.6%, which is down from 6.3% in the beginning of 2023. Evita Simsone, director of NVA, noted that the small number of unemployed created problems…
Latvian capital Riga’s acting mayor, Vilnis Kirsis (New Unity), has invited all political groups in the current ruling coalition in the Riga City Council for talks to form a new coalition on 25 July 2023, LETA reports. Kirsis suggested that the talks could be held either with each political group individually or with all groups…
The Latvian Food Retailers Association (LPTA) has asked Agriculture Minister Didzis Smits to provide proof for his claim of 300% markups on food prices in stores, Baltic News Network reports. If the minister cannot provide such proof, LPTA will ask him to retract his statement. Earlier, Smits claimed that food retailers had applied 300% markups…
The Lithuanian Armed Forces (LGP) has received a new batch of cargo trucks and multi-purpose vehicles (MPV), the Defence Ministry announced, Baltic News Network reports. LGP received 53 new Peugeot Rifter MPVs. So far, LGP has received 90 Rifter MPVs, with the remainder expected to be delivered by the end of 2023. Lithuania is procuring…
The Lithuanian developer of solar project design software, PVcase, has secured USD 100mn (EUR 90mn) of new funding from international investors, pv magazine reports. Existing investor, Boston-based Elephant VC, Chicago-based Energize Ventures, and London-based Highland Europe participated in the funding round. This is the second-largest investment ever in Lithuania’s startup sector, Baltic News Network reports….
Part of a wall of the wastewater treatment plant in the Latvian port city of Liepaja collapsed on 23 July 2023, Baltic News Network reports. The State Environmental Service (VVD) said that around 1,250 m3 of untreated sewage leaked into the environment as a result of the accident, LSM reported. Municipal authorities urged residents to…