Monday, May 20

Name day: Venta, Salvis, Selva

Public broadcasting of Latvia
In Riga +23 °C, NNW wind, 5m/s

Aleksandra Straume

LTV Ziņu dienests

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Criminal case opened on Thursday fires in central Rīga
Criminal case opened on Thursday fires in central Rīga
The State Police has opened a criminal investigation to find out whether the fires that broke out in Grīziņkalns, Rīga, on Thursday, May 9, were intentional and whether the two fires are connected. The fire in the building on Laboratorijas Street was not put out until 7 a.m. on Friday. The building is now fenced off and no residents are allowed inside, Latvian Television reported.

On Thursday evening, Grīziņkalns in Riga was engulfed in heavy black smoke. It could be felt not only by the inhabitants of the nearest buildings but also on the other side of the Daugava. A two-story residential building was on fire on Laboratorijas Street. Firefighters started their work at around 9 p.m. and finished only at 7 a.m. The house is fenced and no one is allowed inside.
Police profile 'typical illegal TV distributor' in Latvia
Police profile 'typical illegal TV distributor' in Latvia
The most typical provider of illegal television services is a middle-aged man who has worked in a legal company for such services before, as stated by Vitālijs Polovinskis, deputy chief of the State Police's Economic Crimes Prevention Administration, during a press conference on May 7, held by police in collaboration with the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP).
103 Latvian-produced drones to go to Ukraine
103 Latvian-produced drones to go to Ukraine
103 Latvian-made drones "IRSIS" will be sent to Ukraine. Marking the anniversary of the restoration of Latvia's independence, Latvian society and companies send drones to Ukraine during this time along with a wish that they could soon restore their independence, Latvian Television reported on May 2.
Police hope to improve fight against economic crimes
Police hope to improve fight against economic crimes
With new, state-of-the-art facilities and equipment, as well as experts who have gained new knowledge on exchange trips in other countries, the State Police will soon conclude a four-year project aimed at improving the prevention and combating of economic crimes, Latvian Television reported on April 25.
Defense Industry Day showcases Latvian-produced military goods
Defense Industry Day showcases Latvian-produced military goods
The National Armed Forces (NBS) Industry Day took place on Wednesday, where Latvian companies and research institutions presented locally produced military and dual-use products and services. Some of the companies are already cooperating with the NBS, Latvian Television reported. 
Will Rīgans have to wait for bus in rain and snow?
Will Rīgans have to wait for bus in rain and snow?
Could Rīga's inhabitants be forced to stand outside in rain and snow without shelter over their heads? This may well happen. Rīga City Council has not yet come up with a solution to let the shelters at public transport stops stay, Latvian Television reported on April 21.
Telecoms prices on the rise in Latvia
Telecoms prices on the rise in Latvia
Telecommunications services are getting more expensive. Companies explain that they have provided better internet and other improvements, so customer bills are also rising, Latvian Television reported April 16.
Missing man found deceased in the Daugava(update)
Missing man found deceased in the Daugava(update)
Monday morning began with statements from the State Police about the disappearance of several people over the weekend. As weather gets warmer people move around more, especially on the weekends, and the number of those missing increases, Latvian Television reported March 25.
Rīga City Council takes back land near airport
Rīga City Council takes back land near airport
On Wednesday, March 6, the Riga City Council decided to void the decision adopted on September 21, 2022 on the completion of the privatization of 22 land plots near Riga Airport. Thus the council restores the ownership rights to these land plots.
Postal Service denies waste of money on staff party
Postal Service denies waste of money on staff party
Transport Minister Kaspars Briškens (Progressives) has proposed a service inspection of an employee event at Latvian Postal Service, which cost the company nearly €180,000 at a time when the service plans to close 60% of post offices due to unprofitability, Latvian Television reported on February 4.
Biowaste containers to be mandatory in Rīga as of March
Biowaste containers to be mandatory in Rīga as of March
In Rīga, it will be mandatory to install containers for sorting biological waste near apartment buildings with more than 10 apartments as of March 1, as provided by regulations on municipal waste management adopted by Riga City Council on Wednesday, January 24.
Passengers frustrated with train service delays
Passengers frustrated with train service delays
What should be a positive period on Latvia's rail network with the arrival of brand new, modern passenger trains to replace ancient rolling stock has instead turned into a headache for passengers and managers alike, reports LTV. 
Train delay streak continues in Latvia
Train delay streak continues in Latvia
For the third day in a row, train passengers have had to wait for hours as major delays were experienced, Latvian Television reported Thursday, January 4.
Tangerines at the top of Latvian Christmas shopping list
Tangerines at the top of Latvian Christmas shopping list
At Christmas, as usual, many are doing grocery shopping. are getting more in stores. Representatives of the retail chains Rimi and Maxima said the most-demanded products remained similar from year to year, and tangerines are at the top of the list, Latvian Television reported on December 27.
Rīga tourism fees bring good results
Rīga tourism fees bring good results
A tourism fee was introduced in Rīga on January 1 this year to acquire additional resources for the development of the tourism sector in the capital. Rīga Investment and Tourism Agency said that this year's goals of collected money have been exceeded, but next year it is necessary to collect more money and spend it on marketing, Latvian Television reported on December 26.
Parking banned on central Rīga street
Parking banned on central Rīga street
New traffic restrictions have come into force on Miera Street in Rīga since Friday, December 8 – parking of vehicles is prohibited on both sides of the street from Brīvības Street to Tallinas Street.
Winter clothing donation drive launched in Latvia
Winter clothing donation drive launched in Latvia
With a call for the donation of winter clothes, the foundation “Ziedot.lv” has launched the campaign “warm clothes days.” They are needed both for families in need in Latvia and for war refugees from Ukraine. Representatives say warehouses are currently empty, but cries for help from residents are growing louder, Latvian Television reported December 8.
242 reports of uncleaned roofs in Rīga last week
242 reports of uncleaned roofs in Rīga last week
Snow has fallen abundantly in Latvia over the past week, so pedestrians should be particularly wary of icicles and snow falling from the roof. Residents reported uncleaned roofs and dangerous icicles to municipal police 242 times in Riga last week, Latvian Television reported on December 4.
Public asked to fill ten buses with donations for Ukraine
Public asked to fill ten buses with donations for Ukraine
Riga will send ten more “Rīgas Satiksme” public transport buses to Chernihiv in Ukraine. Just like the previous times, residents have been asked to donate the things Ukrainians need to fill buses with food, hygiene goods, and other everyday items, Latvian Television reported Tuesday.
More pavements to be snow-shoveled centrally in Rīga
More pavements to be snow-shoveled centrally in Rīga
Some property owners in Rīga will not have to start each morning with a shovel anymore. Last year, the municipality decided to move to centralized pavement cleaning within three years, and this winter, the second step of the transition is to be implemented.
Latvian filmmakers unhappy with 'European film festival' in Russia
Latvian filmmakers unhappy with 'European film festival' in Russia
Russia is holding a “European Film Festival” starting November 1, hosted by the European Union delegation in Russia. The festival repertoire includes films from all over Europe, including two films – “Oleg” and “Imad's Childhood”, which were co-produced by Latvia. The Latvian teams did not know about this, Latvian Television reported Wednesday.
Teacher wage issue still unresolved
Teacher wage issue still unresolved
While the issue of teacher salaries seemed to have been resolved this school year, disappointment set in for many teachers when payday came. For some, wages are even smaller than before. The Ministry of Education and Science (IZM) says financial resources have been allocated to local governments, while in local governments say the funds are not enough, Latvian Television reported October 16.
Repatriation flight from Israel lands in Rīga Monday evening
Repatriation flight from Israel lands in Rīga Monday evening
On October 16 evening, a repatriation flight from Israel provided by airBaltic landed at Riga airport. Nine days after the attacks launched by the terrorist group Hamas, Latvian residents also had the opportunity to leave the country on a special evacuation flight.
Police: schools will receive algorithms to deal with threat e-mails
Police: schools will receive algorithms to deal with threat e-mails
The source of threatening letters sent en masse to educational institutions this week was not the first case seen by the police. These types of attacks are not new, and this particular source has also targeted Poland and the US, State Police Chief Armands Ruks said at a press conference on Wednesday, October 11.