Lietuva in brief - 2011-01-27

Huge heating bills for December have shocked many people, reports Siauliu Krastas. Some residents have to spend nearly a full pension or the minimum wage to cover their heating bills. Average heating bills in Siauliai amount to 300-400 litas, but there are some residents who pay as much as 700 litas (202 euros) for heating of a two-room flat. Prime Minister Andrius Kubilius has doubts as to the validity of these heating bills in Vilnius, along with the ethics of Vilniaus Energija’s public statements, reports ELTA. Kubilius stated that huge heating bills should prompt the residents to think about renovation of their homes. The prime minister explained that Vilnius residents received not only huge heating bills - double the usual, in some cases - and that no one explained the calculation, but also the comments of Vilniaus Energija about the government’s alleged guilt for the increase in heating bills.

Lithuania Post was set to introduce a new stamp dedicated to the European Men’s Basketball Championship 2011. The stamp, created by the artist Evelina Paukstyte, depicts a flying basketball encircled by the national flag of Lithuania, Hellmail reports. “This year, after a 72 year break, Lithuania will host the European Men’s Basketball Championship,” Vytautas Jastiuginas, head of the philatelic department, said. Together with the new stamp, a first day cover and sheet will be issued. The new stamp will be issued in an edition of 180,000 pieces with a face value of 2.45 litas (0.71 euros). The stamp, dedicated to the European Men’s Basketball Championship, is not the first stamp issued for this occasion. To commemorate the 3rd European Men’s Basketball Championship held in Kaunas in May 1939, a series of 3 stamps was issued by Lithuania Post. The European Men’s Basketball Championship of 2011 will be held from Aug. 31 until Sept. 18.