Friday, April 26

Name day: Rūsiņš, Sandris, Alīna

Public broadcasting of Latvia
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Edgars Kupčs

Latvijas Radio Ziņu dienesta producents

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Dangerous municipal road in Ogre leads to mayor's tantrum
Dangerous municipal road in Ogre leads to mayor's tantrum
The students and staff of the state-owned Ogre Vocational School have been hoping for a decent road for years. However, instead of fixing the road that has now become dangerous, Ogre municipality has turned against the staff, Latvian Radio reported on February 14.
Slowdown in real estate deals in Latvia
Slowdown in real estate deals in Latvia
After a sharp rise in real estate transactions just a year ago, there is now a pause in the property market. Both apartment and house buyers and banks are waiting. For the most part, this is due to uncertainty about the future of interest rates, Latvian Radio reported on January 10.
Jūrmala City to pay 1.2 million over land lease case
Jūrmala City to pay 1.2 million over land lease case
Shortly after this year's budget was approved, Jūrmala City Council convened an extraordinary meeting to decide on the first budget amendments related to a court case on illegal land leases, Latvian Radio reported January 5.
Latvians increasingly choose 4x4 cars
Latvians increasingly choose 4x4 cars
The statistics of the most purchased cars last year are characterized by 4x4 vehicles, according to experts surveyed by Latvian Radio January 2.
Locals push for better access to beach in Rīga
Locals push for better access to beach in Rīga
After almost a decade of political promises, plans to clean up a relatively small but important street in Daugavgrīva, Rīga, could come to reality. Flotes Street is important because in summer it is the only proper access to the sea for thousands of people in the Bolderāja district, Latvian Radio reported December 6.
Entrepreneurs and opposition hope for changes in 2024 budget
Entrepreneurs and opposition hope for changes in 2024 budget
At the beginning of December, the parliament will view the 2024 budget in the final reading. Some entrepreneurs and opposition members still hope some changes will be made in the draft project, Latvian Radio reported on November 22.
All-season tires to be banned in Latvia
All-season tires to be banned in Latvia
All-season tires will be banned during the winter period in Latvia starting next winter, citing road safety reasons. Specialists are urging current buyers to think carefully about whether to spend money on them, Latvian Radio reported November 8.
Economists: Wages will catch up with costs in 1.5 years minimum
Economists: Wages will catch up with costs in 1.5 years minimum
This week, it was reported that inflation has fallen back to what it was two years ago, that it will continue to ease and wage rises are currently outpacing price increases. But this news is only seemingly positive because the pay rises are far from catching the cost of living. The better-off people will catch the price jump in 1.5 years but lower-income people will have to wait even longer, economists surveyed by Latvian Radio October 11 said.
Survey: Workplace satisfaction on the decline in Latvia
Survey: Workplace satisfaction on the decline in Latvia
Three out of five employees would leave their job for a higher-paying one, and the overall satisfaction of the employees with their work has decreased significantly over two years, according to a Kantar survey, Latvian Radio reported August 9.
Health insurance quality in Latvia decreases with inflation
Health insurance quality in Latvia decreases with inflation
Despite rising prices, demand for health-insurance policies is stable and even with slightly upward rates. However, policy coverage is falling, so either there are fewer services paid for, or customers' co-payments increase, Latvian Radio reported on July 31.
Electric car charging network grows rapidly
Electric car charging network grows rapidly
According to Latvenergo, the availability of the electric car public charging network is growing at the fastest rate in Latvia compared with neighboring countries. However red tape should be reduced so that there is a sufficient network in Rīga, Latvian Radio reported on July 26.
Latvia's wood product trade falling rapidly
Latvia's wood product trade falling rapidly
Wood production exports have fallen by more than 20% in the first five months of the year, and import by over 30%, according to data from the Ministry of Agriculture, Latvian Radio reported on July 21.
Latvia to undertake ambitious wind energy projects in coming years
Latvia to undertake ambitious wind energy projects in coming years
If the private developers and also the state really implement the current plans for the coming years in setting up wind parks, the operation of such generators could produce electricity for more than half of Latvia, Latvian Radio reported on July 17.
Agriculture Ministry plans supermarket closures on Sundays(update)
Agriculture Ministry plans supermarket closures on Sundays(update)
To stop the rise in food prices, one of the action plans prepared by the Agriculture Ministry is the closure of supermarkets on Sundays. This will reportedly encourage more low-price competition on working days and the opportunity on Sundays for small businesses to earn, Latvian Radio and Latvian Television reported on June 6.
Food prices fall slowly in Latvia
Food prices fall slowly in Latvia
One year after the Russian war, prices are falling for most food products. The decline in Latvia delayed compared to the world, but experts forecast a further fall in prices. Pre-war levels will probably not be reached, according to experts surveyed by Latvian Radio on May 10.
Latvia's LNG terminal plan stalled
Latvia's LNG terminal plan stalled
Over the past months, the Latvian government has treated the plan to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) terminal in Skulte, Latvia, as urgent, and then withdrawn from the project. Experts' thoughts on whether Latvia needs its own terminal differ, Latvian Radio reported on May 3.
Night-time airport bus routes introduced in Rīga
Night-time airport bus routes introduced in Rīga
As of Monday, February 6, additional route 22 bus (Rīga Center – Airport) trips have been introduced to and from the Rīga International Airport early in the morning and late at night, Latvian Radio reported.
Freight transport situation 'tense' in relation to Russia, says industry
Freight transport situation 'tense' in relation to Russia, says industry
During the peak of the Covid-19 pandemic, freight transport was one of the sectors least affected by the restrictions. Now, with the consequences of Russian war in Ukraine, cargo transport is also experiencing changes. Some have to refocus destinations, and the fight for both customers and drivers is intensifying, Latvian Radio reported on December 6.
Latvia's restaurants still not recovered after pandemic
Latvia's restaurants still not recovered after pandemic
In a couple of months, visitors to restaurants and cafes will notice that the market has become smaller. Many catering businesses failed to recover from the Covid pandemic, and the rapid rise in prices leaves them concerned about the future, Latvian Radio reported November 29.
Harmony party wants Daugavpils mayor out
Harmony party wants Daugavpils mayor out
If the mayor of Daugavpils, the country's second-largest city, Andrejs Elksniņš does not leave the Harmony party himself then the party will decide on his exclusion, Harmony's leader Jānis Urbanovičs told Latvian Radio on November 9. Elksniņš said he was not thinking about leaving Harmony.
Alcohol consumption grows in Latvia both legally and illegally
Alcohol consumption grows in Latvia both legally and illegally
In the first seven months of the year, each resident of Latvia has drunk more than 18 liters of alcohol, according to data from the State Revenue Service (VID) which shows a growing volume of alcohol marketed for domestic consumption. Illegal alcohol movement is also picking up.
Over 37,000 people in Latvia have banned themselves from gambling
Over 37,000 people in Latvia have banned themselves from gambling
In three years, more than 37 thousand people have denied themselves access to gambling and lotteries in Latvia's voluntary register. In total, nearly 64 thousand people have been denied gambling in Latvia, including those on the register and those who owe alimony payments, Latvian Radio reported on October 18.
Banks ready to erase pre-2008 crisis debts; debtors hiding abroad
Banks ready to erase pre-2008 crisis debts; debtors hiding abroad
About half a billion euros have been borrowed in the so-called 'fat years' before the 2008 economic crisis, and still owed to banks by those hit by the crisis. Banks are now allowed to unilaterally delete these debts, but a large proportion of debtors have chosen to escape from this trouble by moving abroad, Latvian Radio reported on October 18.
Firewood prices expected to continue growing in Latvia
Firewood prices expected to continue growing in Latvia
It is likely that low-value wood prices will continue to rise at least until spring, according to experts in the sector. There is a growing shortage of working arms in the forests, while existing workers have moved from public forests to private ones, Latvian Radio reported on September 28.
HIMARS training taking place in Latvia
HIMARS training taking place in Latvia
On Monday and Tuesday, September 26 and 27, military training of NATO member states and partner countries organized by NATO Air Force Command will take place in the territory of the National Armed Forces Aviation Base. 
CSDD's electric car charging prices to change monthly in Latvia
CSDD's electric car charging prices to change monthly in Latvia
Prices of new cars could rise by 8% in the near future, the Latvian Authorised Automobile Dealers Association forecasts. Similarly, the services of the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) will become more pricey, especially for exclusive services, Latvian Radio reported on September 20.
Suspicions of secrecy around demolishing Soviet monument in Rīga
Suspicions of secrecy around demolishing Soviet monument in Rīga
The Rīga City Council has found a company to demolish the Soviet 'Victory' monument in Uzvaras Park. Under the pretext of the risks of provocation, the Council does not currently disclose who it will be and how much the job will cost. Latvian Radio reported August 3 that allegedly not everyone had the opportunity to apply for the job and there is a suspicion of secrecy.