Espionage Crackdown: Latvia’s State Security Service (VDD) has urged prosecutors to open cases against four Latvian citizens accused of spying for Russia via the pro-Kremlin “Baltic Antifascists,” including alleged sharing of information on pro-Ukraine supporters, critical infrastructure around Riga airport, and military-related details. Cybersecurity Pressure: Separate EU scrutiny is growing after Citizen Lab reported that a member of the European Parliament’s PEGA spyware inquiry was targeted with Pegasus in 2022 and 2023, raising fresh calls for accountability from the European Commission. Defense & NATO: Ahead of the Ankara summit, the US is pushing allies to move faster toward the 5% defense spending goal, while Latvia’s PM Kulbergs again signaled interest in airBaltic investors but demanded a clearer business plan before any state support. Economy & Energy: Latvia’s industrial production rose 6.2% year-on-year in May, and fuel prices fell 6.7% in June; meanwhile, Ukraine and partners have inspected decommissioned thermal plants to relocate equipment, with work involving Latvia’s Riga Thermal Power Plant-2. Public Services: LMT says its call firewall blocked 7.6 million fraudulent calls from January to May, and Riga-area bus trips were widely cancelled due to a driver shortage. Culture & Society: Riga Contemporary drew a record 17,000 visitors, and a new exhibition in Ireland will be opened by Latvia’s ambassador, linking Abbé Edgeworth’s life to Latvia.