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Narkevičius investigation. The prosecution terminated the investigation into the behavior of former Minister of Transport and Communications Jaroslav Narkevičius. The police have stated that they have not received any objective data to support the accusations made by businessman Alexander Ribnikov in May last year to the then minister that he demanded the reconstruction of his parents’ house for public procurement. Due to this history, J.Narkevičius was called to resign, but remained in office until the end of the government’s term.
Photo by Lukas Balandis / 15min / Jaroslavas Narkevičius
Coronavirus situation:
* The number of deaths from coronavirus in Lithuania exceeded 3,000. 487 new cases of COVID-19 were confirmed per day, 19 people died. Hospitals are currently treating 1,027 COVID-19 patients, 130 of whom are in resuscitation. Morbidity at 14 days 100 thousand. the population reaches 298 cases. The Statistics Department has updated its statistics on COVID-19 by releasing more data on deaths that may be related to the coronavirus.
* Based on 14-day morbidity, Lithuania is currently ranked 11th in the European Union. According to death – the tenth.
* The second shipment of the AstraZeneca vaccine was delivered to Lithuania: 12.6 thousand. dose. It vaccinates educators, as well as candidates for the country’s sports teams that will represent Lithuania at the Tokyo 2021 Olympic and Paralympic Games.
* The Vilnius police punished 32 foreign students who held a party in Vilnius for quarantine violations. They will have to pay 250 euros each.
* Latvian Prime Minister Krišjanis Military and President Egilas Levitas have been vaccinated against COVID-19. Both have been vaccinated with AstraZeneca. Latvian leaders say they set an example by encouraging skeptics to get vaccinated.
* Travel ban to Latvia has come into force without good reason. It is valid for travelers from all the countries of the European Union and the European Area, Switzerland and the United Kingdom and will be valid until February 25.
Economic forecasts. The European Commission from 3% to 2.2 percent. lowered Lithuania’s GDP growth forecast for this year. According to the commission, growth will be slow in the first half of the year due to quarantine restrictions.
President’s proposals. The president presented his proposals for tax changes. The head of country offers an income tax incentive for companies that increase wages faster and that increase by 35 thousand. Taxation of income that exceeds one billion euros when the income comes from individual activities, capital gains and dividends.
Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania / Photo by R.Dačkus / Gitanas Nausėda
Jobs. The Employment Service announced that in January, almost 8% fewer jobs than in December and a fifth less than a year ago. Meanwhile, youth unemployment fell slightly from the previous month.
Shadow government. The opposition Lithuanian Green and Peasant Party has announced the formation of a shadow government led by Ramūnas Karbauskis, the party’s chairman. In their first meeting, they announced an initiative to launch an interpellation with the Minister of the Environment, the liberal Simon Gentville. Saulius Skvernelis refused to participate in the activities of the shadow government.
A record win. Vilnius won the largest lottery prize in Lithuanian history – a happy Vikinglotto ticket was worth more than 13 million. euros.
Protests in Poland. The Polish prosecution has accused Marta Lempart, one of the organizers of the protests against the abortion ban in the country, of violating pandemic restrictions, insulting an official and supporting attacks on the church. She faces up to eight years in prison. She denies the accusations.
Lukashenko’s maneuvers. Belarusian President Aliaksandr Lukashenko has summoned loyal delegates for the so-called “people’s assembly”. In his speech, Lukashenko, who received massive protests over the rigged elections, claimed that Belarus had withstood the siege by foreign forces. Before the meeting, Lukashenko promised constitutional reforms, but has not yet presented them.
„Reuters“ / „Scanpix“ nuotr./Aliaksandras Lukašenka
American and Chinese leaders. For the first time since taking office, US President Joe Biden has spoken by phone with Chinese President Xi Jinping to ask him questions about human rights and trade. Biden also called for a reconsideration of the US military strategy toward China, saying the country needed to take a “strong” stance.
Politics on Facebook. The social network Facebook has announced that it is beginning to restrict political content. The pilot changes will apply to a small percentage of people in Canada, Brazil and Indonesia starting this week, and will be rolled out in the United States in the coming weeks. Such content will no longer be offered automatically, but it will not affect information about the pandemic, consumers will still be able to participate in discussions on their own.
Garai Marse. Scientists have published a paper on observed water vapor scattered high up in the thin atmosphere of Mars. The remains of ancient river valleys and furrows indicate that liquid water once flowed over the surface of Mars. At present, most of the water that remains on the planet is probably concentrated in the polar caps or on the ground.
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