in brief on the most important 6-12 December / Article

LSM Weekly News TOPS

What happened in politics, culture, sports and abroad last week?

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Opening hours of economic services and events during an emergency, valid until 11 January of the following year, extended until 11 p.m., the government decided on Tuesday.

The extension of working hours from 9 pm to 11 pm also applies to points of sale. In turn, the permissible start of working hours remains unchanged – no earlier than 6 p.m.

Also, up to ten people – four adults and six children – can be at one table in public catering places, as well as one household can be in adjacent seats without distance at events. It is adopted to allow families with several children to have a meal together.

Consumer prices in November are 7.5% higher than a year ago

The average consumer price level in Latvia in November 2021, compared to November 2020, increased by 7.5%, according to the latest data of the Central Statistical Bureau. Banking economists predicted that consumer prices will continue to rise in December, with inflation peaking early next year.

The government is considering reducing the VAT rate on energy resources

Electricity prices are still rising sharply, with the Ministry of Economics proposing a reduction in the VAT rate on energy resources to offset this. The proposal provides for reduce the VAT rate from 21% to 5% for both electricity and natural gas.

On December 13, the coalition plans to reconsider the possibility of reducing VAT to 5% for electricity. The ministry is also pushing for a party reduce the electricity distribution tariff, which would be important for entrepreneurs. To compensate for the sharp rise in electricity prices, the ministry had previously prepared a proposal to increase support for all protected user groups, including large families and low-income households, by € 10. An additional € 17.5 million per year is needed to increase support from the budget. It will still be up to the government to decide.

The first two cases of the Covid-19 omicron variant have been officially confirmed in Latvia

National Reference Laboratory of Riga East Clinical University Hospital confirmed the first two viruses Cases of the SARS-CoV-2 omicron variant in Latvia.

By Wednesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (SPKC) had received information from the laboratory about five samples that had multiple mutations corresponding to the omicron variant of the Covid-19 virus, according to information on the SPKC’s website. In all of these Covid-19 cases, the SPCC has already organized the necessary anti-epidemic measures, including identifying contacts and recommending strict adherence to home quarantine.

All five people have returned from abroad – two from Sweden, which was reported to the SPKC on Monday, two from Norway and one from Britain. All persons tested at the airport. One is in the 20-29 age group, three are in the 30-39 age group and one is in the 40-49 age group. In all cases, the subjects were fully vaccinated.

Caught Terehova customs officers hid bribes in creative ways

Bribery at Terehova customs control point, where suspected of corrupt practices charges were brought against 20 customs officers, found for five months and the amounts taken ranged from two euros. In turn, the customs officers of the State Revenue Service (SRS) have been creative in hiding the money received, prosecutor Kaspars Andruškins revealed.

The prosecutor described the corrupt practices of customs officers as fearless, brutal and systematic. In bribes, customs officers received banknotes of various denominations – from 5 to 100 euros. At least two euros were also taken in bribes, for example, to control a truck less and pass it on faster. The money was also hidden in office flashlights, as well as in specially sewn pockets.

MP Gobzem has been detained several times for holding unauthorized meetings

State Police on Monday detained and later released Saeima deputy Aldi Gobzema (“Law and Order”) for holding an unauthorized meeting in Tukums. The State Police has initiated nine administrative violation proceedings. Later, Gobzem was also detained in Ventspils.

Several administrative violation proceedings have also been initiated against other participants in the unauthorized meeting, and the liability of other participants in the meeting will also be assessed.

Olaf Scholz confirmed as German Chancellor

A new era in German politics began on Wednesday, with Christian Democrat leader Angela Merkel stepping down as chancellor after 16 years in office and the Social Democrat leader Olaf Scholz becoming the new head of government. Members of the Bundestag by 395 votes to 303 confirmed Sholcu as Chancellor.

In the September Bundestag elections, Scholz’s Social Democratic Party overtook former Chancellor Merkel’s Christian Democratic Union.

Merkel was the head of the German government for 16 years and 16 days; she was only short of breaking the record of her political godfather, Helmut Kohl, as the longest-serving head of government in post-war German history.

In talks with Putin, Biden has emphasized his support for Ukraine

US President Joe Biden talks to Russian leader Vladimir Putin on Tuesday emphasized its support for Ukraine’s sovereignty, called on Russia to stop withdrawing its troops from Ukraine ‘s border and warned Putin that the escalation would have serious consequences.

Biden and Putin communicated via video call; their conversation lasted a little over two hours.

Hockey player Ruby makes debut in NHL with victory over Merzlin’s «Blue Jackets»

The NHL made its debut on Tuesday Latvian hockey defender Kristiāns Rubīns, whose Toronto “Maple Leafs” beat Elvis Merzlikkin’s Columbus “Blue Jackets” 5: 4. Thus, 26 Latvian hockey players have already played in the NHL.

In his debut, Ruby played for 13 minutes and 40 seconds, a minute in the numerical minority. The 23-year-old Latvian defender took three shots, used four methods of force and blocked one shot. He ended the game with a negative +/- score of -1.

The most important Latvian films of the last 30 years – a selection of the anniversary of the National Cinema Center can be viewed online

December marks the 30th anniversary of the founding of the Latvian film industry’s leading institution, the National Film Center, and the filmas.lv portal offers an expert selection of anniversaries made up of the most important Latvian films of the past 30 years. From December 8, the collection of the first decade is available on the portal – ten films shot from 1991 to 2000 and describing this most difficult period in the history of Latvian cinema.

Video and photo sources used in the program: Latvian Television, LSM, Russian Pool, Sports Studio, Vita Anstrate.

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