Saeima allowances: A new ManaBalss.lv petition wants to scrap MPs’ transport and rent compensation, arguing healthcare, social care and teachers already pay commuting and housing costs themselves; it needs 10,000 signatures and has drawn 4,300 so far. Ukrainian support in Riga: Latvia is launching a charity drive, “United with Ukraine in Thought and Action!”, to fund medical and psychological rehabilitation for wounded Ukrainian defenders, while Riga East Hospital received another group of injured soldiers this week. Baltic security planning: Lithuania is preparing a 20-metre-wide anti-mobility trench network along borders with Kaliningrad and Belarus as part of the wider Baltic Defence Line. Border crackdown: Latvia says it has found its first documented migrant tunnel under the Belarus border, after 15 people were intercepted. Rail Baltica costs: Transport officials say the first Rail Baltica phase should stay within current scope, with possible requirement cuts and a “Riga loop” review. airBaltic pressure: The airline unveiled a new business plan to focus on Riga and shrink its A220 fleet; bond prices have dropped sharply and a key vote is set for 17 August. Competition fine: Latvia’s forestry state company LVM was fined about €7.86m for giving long-term logging partners unjustified advantages. Everyday costs: Eurostat shows Latvia is no longer among the cheapest EU countries for essentials like food, clothing and alcohol, even as overall prices remain below the EU average. Weather: An anticyclone brings drier, sunnier conditions after a changeable week.