Jānis Kincis

Latvian Radio

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Municipalities try to save energy resources ahead of winter
Municipalities try to save energy resources ahead of winter
Several local governments have decided to limit night lights in the summer in order to conserve resources for electricity consumed. The Latvian Association of Local Governments acknowledges that such decisions are correct, and the public should be encouraged to think about saving funds before the heating season, Latvian Radio reported July 22.
Demand for electric cars meager in Latvia
Demand for electric cars meager in Latvia
The national co-payment program for the purchase of electric vehicles is currently underused because of the shortage of electric cars on the market. The organizers of the program acknowledged that the situation will only normalize next year, while traders look forward to an extension of the program, Latvian Radio reported June 5.
Saeima deputy likely to have parliamentary immunity lifted
Saeima deputy likely to have parliamentary immunity lifted
On Tuesday, the Saeima's Committee on Mandates, Ethics and Submissions supported a proposal to lift the parliamentary immunity of the Chairman of the Budget and Finance (Tax) Committee, Mārtiņš Bondars (For Development / For!) which potentially opens the way for criminal charges to be brought against him
Latvian Russian Union gets warning by security service
Latvian Russian Union gets warning by security service
Following a warning of the State Security Service, the political party Latvian Russian Union has promised not to share unverified information about the Russian invasion of Ukraine, while talks arise in the Saeima about potentially shutting the party down, Latvian Radio reported April 22.
Rīga plans to repair four bridges in four years
Rīga plans to repair four bridges in four years
A number of infrastructure sites – Gaisa bridge, Gustava Zemgala overpass, Jorģa Zemitāna bridge, Vanšu bridge, Mūkusalas embankment – are planned to be restored and rebuilt in Riga by 2026, according to the project conceptually supported on April 11 by the Rīga City Council Transport committee.
Latvia plans to reduce red tape on wind park projects
Latvia plans to reduce red tape on wind park projects
Latvia plans to draft a new law that will allow the development of wind park projects to move along quicker, said Artūrs Toms Plešs, Minister for Environmental Protection and Regional Development, said at a briefing after the coalition meeting on March 21.
Baltic PMs discuss lifting Covid restrictions
Baltic PMs discuss lifting Covid restrictions
On Friday, February 4, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) will meet with Prime Minister of Estonia, Kaja Kallas, and Prime Minister of Lithuania, Ingrida Šimonytė, to discuss security in the region, Covid-19 policy, and other issues.
Lifting Covid restrictions must not be done too hastily: Health Ministry
Lifting Covid restrictions must not be done too hastily: Health Ministry
Business organizations and members of the Saeima opposition are calling for the removal of the Covid certificate requirement in public places, as Lithuania and Estonia are planning. However, Latvia's Health Ministry says medical experts have asked that decisions are not made too hastily, Latvian Radio reported February 3.
Energy aid will not target those most at risk, says expert
Energy aid will not target those most at risk, says expert
Those targeted by state aid in the energy price crisis are not necessarily most at risk, economic anthropologist Andris Šuvajevs told Latvian Radio January 25 referring to data from the Central Statistical Bureau.
Covid certificate mandatory to work onsite as of Wednesday
Covid certificate mandatory to work onsite as of Wednesday
On Wednesday, the requirement for holding a Covid-19 certificate of vaccination or recovery comes into force to work onsite in the private sector. Around 60,000 employees will thus be unable to continue work, mostly in the transport and construction sectors, Latvian Radio reported December 15.
Mortality rates will be exacerbated by pandemic, experts say
Mortality rates will be exacerbated by pandemic, experts say
Covid-19 will contribute to mortality rates not only directly but also because people are hesitant to go to a doctor for a long time, Saeima Social and Labor Affairs Committee discussed Tuesday, December 7, Latvian Radio reported.
Books and press will have reduced VAT of 5%
Books and press will have reduced VAT of 5%
On Monday, November 15, the Saeima decided to reduce the value-added tax (VAT) rate from the current 12% to 5% from January 1, 2022, on books and printed press.
'Lockdown' aid measures for businesses could cost €150 million
'Lockdown' aid measures for businesses could cost €150 million
The government plans to offset the drop in turnover due to Covid-19 restrictions and subsidize wages for affected companies. Overall, it will cost around €150 million, but other support mechanisms are also planned to be introduced later, Latvian Radio reported October 21.
Hospitals could soon limit more services and resort to other facilities
Hospitals could soon limit more services and resort to other facilities
If the number of Covid-19 patients in hospitals reaches 1,500, the Latvian hospitals would have to restrict their services even more to provide human resources for emergency care, Health Ministry State Secretary Indra Dreika said at the government meeting October 19.
Government to discuss further Covid restrictions next week
Government to discuss further Covid restrictions next week
The government will discuss new Covid-19 restrictions next week. The issue is becoming more pressing as the number of people infected and the pressure on hospitals grows, Health Minister Daniels Pavļuts said at a briefing September 14.
Covid-19 boosters to be gradually launched in Latvia
Covid-19 boosters to be gradually launched in Latvia
On Tuesday, September 7, the Cabinet agreed to gradually launch a Covid-19 booster program in Latvia. First, the third dose of the vaccine against Covid-19 will be available to people with a significantly weakened immune system.
Three-month state of emergency declared at Latvia-Belarus border(update)
Three-month state of emergency declared at Latvia-Belarus border(update)
Until November 10, Latvia has declared a state of emergency on the country's border with Belarus. The decision was taken by the cabinet meeting on Tuesday, August 10. The state of emergency designation sounds dramatic but is essentially technical, allowing faster decision-making and spending to address the situation than would normally be the case.
Water taxi could soon float on the Daugava in Rīga
Water taxi could soon float on the Daugava in Rīga
A competition for ideas of the development of the Daugava and its banks in Rīga has concluded. The idea of setting up sunset-watching seats, as well as a water taxi, has won the contest, Latvian Radio reported July 27.
Improper use of electric scooters leads to 'too many' injuries, says doctor
Improper use of electric scooters leads to 'too many' injuries, says doctor
Rules on electric scooter use on the roads have only recently been adopted. Not minding the rules and riding the scooters recklessly leads to an increasing number of scooter-related injuries, said Uģis Zariņš, head doctor of the Traumatology and Orthopedics Hospital, on Latvian Radio June 25.