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Floods and landslides in Indonesia take dozens of lives
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26 people have lost their lives in flooding and landslides in central Indonesia, local officials stated adding that deforestation has worsened the effects of seasonal torrential rains.
American news agency AP reported that the governor of the province of South Sulawesi, Nurdin Abdullah, stated on Thursday, January 24, that displaced people were still being evacuated.
As many as ten districts and cities in the province including the capital Makassar have been affected by flooding that began late on Tuesday, January 22, forcing more than 3,000 to flee their homes. Rescue teams continue their search for more 24 people, according to the provincial disaster agency.
Tragic landslides and floods happen frequently during seasonal rains in Indonesia, with man-made changes to the environment often worsening the situation. Earlier in January, a landslide on the country’s most populous island of Java took the lives of 32 people.
Week in Lithuania: Conscription age lowered, Klaipėda port’s development plan approved, retail tax delayed
Last week, in Lithuania, the key news stories were the lowering of the national conscription age, the approval of the development plan of the Klaipėda port and the delay of the real estate tax.
BNN summary of the week: end of Lembergs Era? New governor for Bank of Latvia; fight for Riga City Council
The overthrowing of the «old league» in Latvia has caused a domino effect. The most notable event to have taken place this week is the addition of Aivars Lembergs and four of the associations he has influence over to the list of sanctioned persons USA. This has shaken up the established order in Ventspils and Latvia.
Aivars Lembergs leaves his post in Latvian Olympic Committee
On Friday, 13 December, individual member of Latvian Olympic Committee and member of its Executive Committee Aivars Lembergs announced to LOK board his decision to leave the organization, BNN was told by LOK press-secretary Mārtiņš Mālmeisters.
Ralfs Kļaviņš and Edvīns Bērziņš leave the board of Latvian Transit Business Association
Chairman of Riga Commercial Port Ralfs Kļaviņš and ex-chairman of Latvian Railway Edvīns Bērziņš have left the board of Latvian Transit Business Association, according to information from Firmas.lv.
US sanctions will not affect companies in which Lembergs no longer has any influence
The sanctions introduced by USA against Lembergs will not affect the companies over which he no longer has control thanks to a ruling of the court.
Liquidation of discount fares on multiple RMS routes would help save money for Rīgas satiksme
By liquidating multiple discounts for passenger fares on multiple LLC Rīgas mikroautobusu satiksme routes, LLC Rīgas satiksme public transport company hopes to save approximately EUR 1.75 million a year.
Tallinn region GDP portion decreases in Estonian economy
In 2018, 65% of the Estonian gross value added was created in Harju county, while the rest of the country is inching closed with Harju county, the official statistics of the Baltic country showed.
EU prolongs targeted sanctions against Russia over Ukraine
The European Union has extended for another six months its sanctions against Russia’s energy, finance and military sectors. The continued restrictive measures are said to remain in full until Minsk peace deal is implemented.
Local government representatives will no longer work at Riga and Ventspils freeport
Following the coming into force of amendments to the Law on Ports, representatives of Riga City Council and Ventspils City Council will lose their respective posts in the board of Riga Freeport and Ventspils Freeport, the law states.
Total tax debts in Latvia at December’s beginning – EUR 869.4 million
At the beginning of December, total tax debts in Latvia, including outstanding, halted and extended debts, were equal to EUR 869.367 million, which is 1.9% less than a month prior, according to data from the State Revenue Service.
In UK’s Brexit election, Conservatives win comfortable majority
In the British snap parliamentary election aimed at breaking the Brexit impasse, the ruling Conservative Party has won gaining a comfortable majority, according to close to complete results.
Riga City Council’s interim administration may be entrusted to VARAM state secretary Balševics
If the Saeima votes in favour of dismissing Riga City Council, the interim municipal administration may be entrusted to Environment Protection and Regional Ministry’s state secretary Edvīns Balševics, according to the ministry’s Riga City Council dismissal legislative draft to be decided on by the government on 17 December.
EU member states commit to 2050 carbon neutrality, Poland opts out
European Union’s 26 members, including the Baltic states, have supported the planned political course to considerably reduce the greenhouse gas emissions to net-zero by 2050. Coal-powered Poland said it could not reach the goal and opted out.
Latvia’s prime minister forms a work group to ensure Ventspils Freeport’s operations
On Thursday, 12 December, Latvia’s Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš has issued an order on formation of a work group under Transport Minister Tālis Linkaits in order to ensure undisrupted operations at Ventspils Freeport, as reported by the prime minister’s press-secretary Sandris Sabajevs.
Ministry: to prevent damaging Latvian sports sector’s reputation, Lembergs should leave LOK
To avoid letting US sanctions negatively affect Latvian Olympic Committee and spread to the reputation of the country’s sports sector, the ministry can only ask Aivars Lembergs step down as member of LOK Executive Committee, BNN was told by Education and Science Ministry.
Budget Committee declines residents’ request to postpone increasing funding for parties
Saeima’s Budget and Finance Committee has rejected a public initiative signed by more than 11 000 residents. This initiative requested postponing the planned increase of funding for political parties.
Lower election threshold in Lithuania – more democracy or chaos?
The Lithuanian legislature, Seimas, has lowered this week the parliamentary election threshold to 3 per cent for political parties and 5 per cent for coalitions.
Russia expels German diplomats, retaliating to German step over Berlin murder
Russia has asked two diplomats of the German Embassy to leave the country. This is a tit-for-tat measure after Germany declared two Russian diplomats personae non grata as Berlin investigates an international murder in the German capital, TASS reported.
Riga Freeport and Liepaja Special Economic Zone to leave LTAB
Riga Freeport and Liepaja Special Economic Zone will leave Latvian Transit Business Association managed by Aivars Lembergs, as both are subjected to US sanctions.
Lembergs’ influence over Ventspils Freeport needs to end, bank supervisors say
The goal of the US sanctions is reducing Aivars Lembergs’ economic and political influence over Ventspils Freeport and other companies under his control. Sanctions are not meant to paralyse companies, rather seeing how they are used to process deals influenced by the person under sanctions – Aivars Lembergs, said Finance and Capital Market Commission head Santa Purgaile during a press-conference on Thursday, 12 December.
USD 25 million offered in Weinstein sage to 30 alleged sexual abuse victims
In the U.S. movie industry scandal surrounding sexual abuse claims against film producer Harvey Weinstein his lawyers have offered a USD 25-million settlement to more than 30 women, The Guardian reports.
Legal Affairs Committee supports lifting judge immunity for administrative violation cases
Saeima’s Legal Affairs Committee supported prior to the second reading legislative drafts to the Law on Judicial Power and Law on Judges Disciplinary Liability intended to lift the immunity of judges in administrative violation cases, as confirmed by Justice Ministry.
Estonian-Finnish gas interconnection unveiled
Estonia and Finland have held ceremonies to unveil the gas pipeline Balticconnector, built to connect the gas transmission networks of both countries separated by the Baltic Sea.
Mārtiņš Kazāks officially becomes governor of the Bank of Latvia
On Thursday, 12 December, Latvia’s Saeima officially approved Mārtiņš Kazāks as the new governor of the Bank of Latvia, as BNN was told by Saeima’s press-service.
What is Ventspils Development Agency and what will its members do now?
Among the organizations against which US Department of Treasury Office for Foreign Asset Control has adopted sanctions is also Ventspils Development Agency. In accordance with OFAC issued Global Magnitsky General Licence Nr.1, global partners have 30 days to cease all cooperation with this organization.
1 commentRecommended
- BNN summary of the week: end of Lembergs Era? New governor for Bank of Latvia; fight for Riga City Council
- In UK’s Brexit election, Conservatives win comfortable majority
- Lower election threshold in Lithuania – more democracy or chaos?
Israel on way to third parliamentary election in year
USA adds Aivars Lembergs to its «black list»
Latest
- BNN summary of the week: end of Lembergs Era? New governor for Bank of Latvia; fight for Riga City Council
- Aivars Lembergs leaves his post in Latvian Olympic Committee
- Ralfs Kļaviņš and Edvīns Bērziņš leave the board of Latvian Transit Business Association
- Liquidation of discount fares on multiple RMS routes would help save money for Rīgas satiksme
- EU prolongs targeted sanctions against Russia over Ukraine
- Local government representatives will no longer work at Riga and Ventspils freeport
- Total tax debts in Latvia at December’s beginning – EUR 869.4 million
- In UK’s Brexit election, Conservatives win comfortable majority
- Riga City Council’s interim administration may be entrusted to VARAM state secretary Balševics
- EU member states commit to 2050 carbon neutrality, Poland opts out
Most read
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Aivars Lembergs leaves Ventspils Freeport board | 2
- Linkaits: Ventspils Freeport’s operations have to be separated from people blacklisted by USA
- USA adds Aivars Lembergs to its «black list»
- BNN summary of the week: elections in Riga and Ušakovs’ return. Craze at Rīgas satiksme. Average wages in the country
- Latvian state to take over Riga and Ventpils ports
- Court maintains arrest for Riga Central Market cigarette case suspect Vilnis Visors
- To take over Riga and Ventspils port government to form a separate company
- U.S. bans Lembergs and family from entry in U.S. over «significant corruption»
- Week in Lithuania: PM in trouble over street paving, Ambassador in Ankara summoned, probes into match fixing
- Riga Freeport and Liepaja Special Economic Zone to leave LTAB
Most commented
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Aivars Lembergs leaves Ventspils Freeport board | 2
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What is Ventspils Development Agency and what will its members do now? | 1
- Two cigarette smugglers detained on Latvia’s border
- Aivars Lembergs may be forced out of Latvian Olympic Committee
- Riga City Council’s interim administration may be entrusted to VARAM state secretary Balševics
- Pabriks: it is necessary to increase US military support for Latvia
- Estonia health body calls for measles vaccination of Ukrainian guest workers
- «Little green men» unmasked. UN condemns Russian occupation of Crimea
- Mārtiņš Kazāks officially becomes governor of the Bank of Latvia
- Latvian government supports reaching EU’s climate neutrality goal by 2050
Top 5 Business news
- USA adds Aivars Lembergs to its «black list»
BNN summary of the week: elections in Riga and Ušakovs’ return. Craze at Rīgas satiksme. Average wages in the country
Court maintains arrest for Riga Central Market cigarette case suspect Vilnis Visors- US sanctions will not affect companies in which Lembergs no longer has any influence
To take over Riga and Ventspils port government to form a separate company
Top 5 Social news
Aivars Lembergs leaves Ventspils Freeport board
Linkaits: Ventspils Freeport’s operations have to be separated from people blacklisted by USA- USA adds Aivars Lembergs to its «black list»
- BNN summary of the week: elections in Riga and Ušakovs’ return. Craze at Rīgas satiksme. Average wages in the country
Latvian state to take over Riga and Ventpils ports
Top 5 World news
U.S. bans Lembergs and family from entry in U.S. over «significant corruption»
Pabriks: it is necessary to increase US military support for Latvia
«Little green men» unmasked. UN condemns Russian occupation of Crimea- Estonian-Finnish gas interconnection unveiled
Finland to have new Social Democratic Prime Minister Marin
Top 5 Video
Austria’s first female Chancellor to head government until snap elections
Hungary involves Estonia in efforts to fend off migration deals
Estonian expedition Antarctica 200 leaves for six-month journey
Captain arrested over Budapest ship collision as search for victims continues
Video: European Spitzenkandidaten debate key EU issues in Brussels
Newest galleries
PHOTO: doctors and opponents of municipal reform protest outside the Saeima
PHOTO: State Fire and Rescue Service urges government to provide more funding
September 2 in pictures
In pictures: 30th anniversary of Baltic Way celebrated
Photos of the week, 09.08.19Newest comments
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Zerry @ 2019-12-12 23:54:56
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Sksida @ 2019-12-12 19:50:30
So now America will dictate Latvia's politics? GTFO of my country.
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Conor S. @ 2019-12-11 13:38:58
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Mmmhmm @ 2019-12-10 13:48:59
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hadil @ 2019-12-08 12:09:04
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Regional public transport services to become free for families with children on 11th and 18 November 
