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Whooping cough cases on the rise in Latvia
Whooping cough cases on the rise in Latvia
Since December last year, Latvia recorded an increase in the number of patients with pertussis, or whooping cough. Other European countries have also reported an increase in cases, the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) reported on April 25. 
NIB and Citadele bank back Vilnius gene therapy facility
NIB and Citadele bank back Vilnius gene therapy facility
The Nordic Investment Bank (NIB), Latvian bank Citadele and the Lithuanian biopharmaceutical company UAB Celltechna announced April 25 they have signed a ten-year financing agreement of EUR 37 million for a gene therapy product facility in Vilnius.
OECD: Latvia has 'room to raise tax revenue'
OECD: Latvia has 'room to raise tax revenue'
The Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said April 25 that Latvian policymakers should consider increasing revenues by raising taxes, shifting the burden from labor to real estate and assets.
Latvian Rail Baltica project loses regional station designer
Latvian Rail Baltica project loses regional station designer
The national implementer of the Rail Baltica project in Latvia - the company "Eiropas Dzelzceļa līnijas" (EDzL) - is terminating the contract with the designer of the Rail Baltica regional mobility points - the association of companies "Rere Ineco", Linda Pastare, representative of EDzL, told LETA.
WATCH: Latest OECD economic survey of Latvia
WATCH: Latest OECD economic survey of Latvia
April 25 sees the presentation of the latest Economic survey of Latvia by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Latvia became a full member of the OECD in 2016.
Kariņš returns to parliamentary duties
Kariņš returns to parliamentary duties
On Thursday, April 25, the Saeima renewed the mandate of former Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) following his recent resignation as Foreign Minister.
Justice Minister says claims against Unity are 'absurd'
Justice Minister says claims against Unity are 'absurd'
The allegations by the head of the IT company SOAAR Renārs Kadžulis that during the 2014 Saeima elections, there have been attempts to falsify election results, are "absurd and undermine the statehood of Latvia", Minister of Justice Inese Lībiņa-Egnere (New Unity) said in an interview on the Latvian Television's morning newscast on April 25. 
Defense Industry Day showcases Latvian-produced military goods
Defense Industry Day showcases Latvian-produced military goods
The National Armed Forces (NBS) Industry Day took place on Wednesday, where Latvian companies and research institutions presented locally produced military and dual-use products and services. Some of the companies are already cooperating with the NBS, Latvian Television reported. 
Flu epidemic is over
Flu epidemic is over
The influenza epidemic declared in January will end in Latvia on Thursday, April 25, the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) has announced,
Vivi wants to make 'train artists' think twice
Vivi wants to make 'train artists' think twice
Latvia's passenger train operator, joint stock company Pasažieru Vilciens (or Vivi) has sent proposals to the Ministry of Transport and the Ministry of Justice to amend the regulation by increasing the level of penalties for damaging trains, including graffiti.
PM promises to tackle red tape
PM promises to tackle red tape
Excessive bureaucracy in Latvia is a problem, and the government will work purposefully to reduce the bureaucratic burden in the country, Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) promised on Latvian Television's "Morning Panorama" program April 24.
Rīga to host Crimea platform in Fall
Rīga to host Crimea platform in Fall
Speaker of the Saeima, Daiga Mieriņa, has invited the speakers of the other EU member states to attend the third parliamentary summit of the international Crimea platform, which will take place in Rīga in October.
National Guard delivers patriotic message
National Guard delivers patriotic message
Ahead of the Latvian Independence Restoration Day, the Latvian National Guard (Zemessardze) have created the motto "My Latvia. My Responsibility" (Mana Latvija. Mana atbildība), said the National Guard on April 24.
Latvian authorities draw attention to extremism risks
Latvian authorities draw attention to extremism risks
Radical sentiments are growing in Latvian society, the State Security Service (VDD) stated earlier this week. Both the VDD and the State Police (VP) ask that attention be paid to signs of radicalization in others - both right-wing and left-wing extremism - and to report them in cases of increased aggression, Latvian Television reported on April 23.

Over the weekend, a group of skinheads were arrested by the State Security Service and the State Police after a cooperation effort to uncover crimes committed against people in Riga's Vērmanes Garden.
Rīga-Vilnius train gets thumbs up from tourism industry
Rīga-Vilnius train gets thumbs up from tourism industry
The Vilnius-Rīga train route, which opened four months ago, has already brought several thousand visitors to the Latvian capital. The hospitality industry says that route has contributed positively to Riga's business environment, Latvian Radio reports April 24.
Latvia transitions away from 3G
Latvia transitions away from 3G
Mobile operators are gradually turning off third-generation communications network technologies, or 3G, to  free up frequencies for future generations of networks. Some people do not have adequate technologies, including phones that can switch to 4G and 5G technologies, Latvian Television reported on April 23.
Corruption cops investigate Unity's IT solutions
Corruption cops investigate Unity's IT solutions
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) has begun an investigation of the allegedly illegal use of the information technology (IT) system developed by SOAAR in the congresses of the Unity political party, LETA reported on April 23.
Producer prices down 7% on year in Latvia
Producer prices down 7% on year in Latvia
Data from the Central Statistical Bureau published on April 22 show that in March 2024, compared to March 2023, the level of producer prices in the Latvian industry decreased by 7.2 %. 
Varakļāni to join Madona municipality
Varakļāni to join Madona municipality
The Varakļāni municipality will be added to Madona municipality until the 2025 municipal elections, as provided for by amendments to the Law on Administrative Territories and Settlements prepared by the Ministry of Environmental Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) approved by the government on Tuesday, April 23.
Latvian government backs move away from Russian in schools
Latvian government backs move away from Russian in schools
Schools will start phasing out Russian as a second foreign language in primary education from the 2026/.2027 school year, according to the changes accepted by the Cabinet of Ministers on Tuesday, April 23. Schools are obliged to gradually replace Russian with one of the official languages of the European Union (EU).
Spain set to join STRATCOMCOE
Spain set to join STRATCOMCOE
On Tuesday, April 22, the Latvian Cabinet of Ministers approved a Memorandum of Understanding on the Spanish Ministry of Defense joining the Rīga-based NATO Strategic Communications Center of Excellence (STRATCOMCOE).
Government ran 2.2% of GDP budget deficit in 2023
Government ran 2.2% of GDP budget deficit in 2023
Provisional data compiled by the Central Statistical Bureau (CSB) and published April 22 show that in 2023 Latvia's general government budget deficit accounted for EUR 893 million or 2.2 % of the gross domestic product (GDP) and, compared to 2022, it was EUR 886 million less.