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'Impulse buying' booze online could be restricted in Latvia
'Impulse buying' booze online could be restricted in Latvia
A proposal by the Ministry of Health and medical experts to ban alcohol sales on the Internet did not win the support of the majority of the committee in charge on Wednesday, April 10. Instead, MPs agreed on a compromise that would exclude impulse purchases of alcoholic beverages over the Internet, Latvian Television reported on April 11.
Aven wins court case in Europe, but sanctions remain in place for now
Aven wins court case in Europe, but sanctions remain in place for now
According to a release from the Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs April 10, Latvian citizen and Russian businessman Petr Aven has won a European-level court case seeking to annul sanctions imposed upon him in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. However, the ruling does not mean sanctions will be immediately lifted against him, the MFA stressed.
More Latvian heat records tumble Wednesday
More Latvian heat records tumble Wednesday
On Wednesday afternoon, the air temperature in Daugavpils reached 27.1 degrees Celsius, according to information from the Latvian Environment, Geology and Meteorology Center (LVĢMC).
New stamp dedicated to ancient rafting trade
New stamp dedicated to ancient rafting trade
On April 12, Latvian Postal Service (Latvijas Pasts, LP) will issue a new postage stamp dedicated to the intangible cultural heritage of Latvia – the Gauja rafters, said LP.
STRATCOMCOE trumpets its new training tool
STRATCOMCOE trumpets its new training tool
The Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE) has published a video promoting a new strategic communications training tool it has developed called 'InfoRange'.
Full audit of former PM Kariņš' private flights published(update)
Full audit of former PM Kariņš' private flights published(update)
In an audit of the special flights of former Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity), the State Audit Office has concluded that at least 221,566 euros were unlawfully spent from the state budget, while at least 323,688 euros from the European Union (EU) Council funds were used uneconomically, the Audit Office (Valsts kontrole, VK) said on Wednesday.
3 Seas Summit in Vilnius Thursday
3 Seas Summit in Vilnius Thursday
Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs will be making the short trip to Vilnius, Lithuania April 11 to participate in the annual Three Seas Summit.
Another Latvian collector coin on the way
Another Latvian collector coin on the way
Tuesday, April 16 will see the Latvian central bank (Latvijas Banka, LB) issuing another in its series of coins for collectors. This one is named 'Across the Times' and is dedicated the the Ethnographic Open-air Museum of Latvia.
Employers welcome Latvia's revised guest worker salary rules
Employers welcome Latvia's revised guest worker salary rules
Two months ago, rules were adopted that employers can pay guest workers the average wage in the sector, instead of the national average, as was previously the case. Employers welcome the government's decision but admit that the effect will only be felt in the coming months, Latvian Radio reported April 10.

With the government's decision of January this year, employers are allowed to pay foreign workers a wage that is not less than the average gross monthly wage of Latvian workers in the sector in the previous year or equivalent to the minimum wage set by the sector's general agreement.
More Russians could be required to pass Latvian language test
More Russians could be required to pass Latvian language test
Several thousand more Russian citizens in Latvia could be required to pass a Latvian language exam. These are the persons who received a permanent residence permit in Latvia in 1992. The Saeima will begin to view the relevant amendments this week, Latvian Television reported.
Liepāja plans first hydrogen production plant in Latvia
Liepāja plans first hydrogen production plant in Latvia
Hydrogen could be industrially produced in Latvia for the first time. By 2029, it is planned to build a hydrogen plant in Liepaja port, which will be able to produce approximately 150 thousand tons of hydrogen per year, Kurzeme TV reported April 9.
Latvian Postal Service to keep more departments open
Latvian Postal Service to keep more departments open
After loud protests about the planned closure of most Latvian Postal Service (Latvijas Pasts, LP) offices, a new plan has been developed. The company now plans to maintain 116 post offices across the country, providing service in all regions and cities, Latvian Television reported on April 9.
Tens of kilometers of trucks queueing at Latvian-Russian border
Tens of kilometers of trucks queueing at Latvian-Russian border
Queues of trucks started to form at the border checkpoint (BCP) "Grebņeva" earlier this year, but now the number of trucks has doubled and local residents are raising the alarm. The situation is similar at the BCP Terehova, Latgale regional television reports April 9.
Authorities consider Latvia's grim drowning statistics
Authorities consider Latvia's grim drowning statistics
On average, 7 to 10 children under the age of 19 lose their lives in drowning every year in Latvia. The main reason is a lack of swimming skills and knowledge about water safety, according to the Swimming Federation and the organization "Swim Safely", Latvian Radio reports April 9.
First bird flu case of the year recorded
First bird flu case of the year recorded
The Food and Veterinary Service (PVD) has received the results of laboratory examinations confirming highly pathogenic avian influenza in forest geese in the Skaņkalne parish of Valmiera municipality. This is the first bird flu case detected in Latvia in 2024, the PVD reported.
Latvia's counter-terrorism plan updated
Latvia's counter-terrorism plan updated
On Tuesday, April 9, the government approved the national counter-terrorism plan, updated by the State Security Service (VDD), which determines the preventive counter-terrorism measures to be taken depending on the level of terrorism threat declared in the country.
Aid for startups available to attract qualified workforce
Aid for startups available to attract qualified workforce
In the first half of April, applications will be opened for a support program for start-ups administered by the Latvian Investment and Development Agency (LIAA), which will provide support of up to EUR 200,000 for attracting highly qualified employees, LIAA said April 9.
Inflation rate picked up in Latvia in March
Inflation rate picked up in Latvia in March
The latest data published by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) April 9 show that in March 2024, compared to March 2023, the average level of consumer prices increased by 0.9 %.
Corrupt former senior customs official sentenced to 6 years
Corrupt former senior customs official sentenced to 6 years
The Riga city court, Vidzeme district, has sentenced the former head of the Criminal Administration of the Customs service, Vladimirs Vaškevičs, to six years in prison for crimes of corruption, the LETA news agency reported April 9.
'Mile of Knowledge' to be built near Rīga Technical University
'Mile of Knowledge' to be built near Rīga Technical University
The competition for a pedestrian and bicycle bridge across the Zunds Canal has been won by a design with the motto "Abi divi" ("Both Two") and its authors - the association of suppliers "MARK Arhitekti" Ltd. and "Inženieru birojs Kurbada tilti Ltd", said the Riga City Council.