About 900 children are involved in parental disputes over custody rights in Latvia every year, reports the latest edition of Latvian Radio's Atvērtie Faili (Open Files) investigative show.
Author's articles
The LGBTQ+ community in Latvia is often subject to intolerant comments and sometimes violent attacks. Not only do the comments come from social media but also the parliament. Latvian Radio's investigative broadcast Atvērtie faili analyzed the situation in Latvia's eastern region Latgale, where surveys have shown people to be the least tolerant with regard to LGBT issues.
Should children be fined for administrative offenses? The Justice Ministry believes that fines for children should be waived because they aren't effective. Experts and Saeima members of the responsible committee agree, Latvian Radio reported April 4.
Has Latvia done enough to integrate residents with Russian passports? Latvian Radio examined the policies implemented over the course of several years and spoke to researchers of the topic on April 4.
Thursday afternoon in Rīga, Satekles Street, an uninhabited five-story house collapsed, according to information from the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD).
On Monday, March 27, in Ogre, a man has been run over by a train at the Jaunogre railway station, the State Police representative Līna Bagdone told Latvian Radio.
Owners of apartments face similar problems to the cracked Valdemāra Street buildings throughout Rīga, the biggest Rīga housing manager (Rīgas namu pārvaldnieks, RNP) told Latvian Radio February 20. A situation where people have to leave their home is due to red tape: the improvements needed for the building require the consent of the majority of the inhabitants.
Fire crews were still engaged in damping-down operations Wednesday morning at the site of a drone production facility near Rīga that was gutted by fire on Tuesday, reported Latvian Radio.
A bus landed in a ditch on Tuesday, February 7, morning in the Dobele municipality, and rescue work was needed for the release of two people, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) said. The Emergency Medical Service (NMPD) reported that 13 people were injured in the accident.
Latvian donors are sending military equipment manufactured locally to the Ukrainian army. Two months ago, the charity “Ziedot.lv” launched a donation-gathering campaign Labas ziņas (“Good News”) for the cause. Since then, EUR 439,768 has been donated. On Wednesday, January 25, the first military cargo traveled to Ukraine, Latvian Radio and Latvian Television reported.
Two-thirds of court employees are willing to strike if their salaries don't rise. Judicial Council Chairman Aigars Strupišs told Latvian Radio on January 9 that for a long time, the employees had been "starved", which would not happen if financially first and second-instance courts were independent of the Justice Ministry. The Judicial Council has a number of suggestions for the new Minister.
A number of industries are changing today, so once-gained knowledge is no longer sufficient for citizens to stay in the labor market. The declaration of this Government contains a commitment to improving labor access and lifelong learning policies. The Ministry of Economics forecasts a surplus of low-skilled workers in the future and pays particular attention to acquiring digital skills, Latvian Radio reported on January 5.
Residents' satisfaction with cultural life in Rīga has deteriorated over the past four years. Less satisfied with cultural life in the capital are the Russian-speakers. In the Ministry of Culture, it is linked to a lack of offers arising from the cessation of cultural relations with Russia, Latvian Radio reported on January 3.
The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) has already removed three dead people from water bodies this year. In two cases, the equipment found next to him suggests that they had been ice fishing, VUGD spokeswoman Viktorija Gribuste told Latvian Radio on December 27..
On Thursday, December 22 at an extraordinary meeting, the management of Jurmala City Council decided to raise their salaries to the maximum possible rates.
In Rīga and several other municipalities surveyed by Latvian Radio December 14, the number of recipients of social benefits has increased. There has also been an increase in the number of poor and disadvantaged people.
The Saeima majority on Thursday rejected the society's initiative on the legal protection of all families, Latvian Radio reported. The initiative encouraged legally recognizing couples living outside the marriage union and ensuring their social protection.
Three persons have been charged with the murder of insolvency administrator Mārtiņš Bunkus, Rīga Court District Prosecutor Aldis Lasmanis said in a press conference on Thursday, December 8.
The Saeima Legal Affairs Committee on Tuesday decided not to continue work on the Civil Union Law started by the previous Saeima, Latvian Radio reported December 6. That means members of the 14th Saeima will not vote on a draft law that protects the legal relationship of all families.
For a week now, driving a car under heavy alcohol intoxication of 1.5 promilles and more has been a criminal offense, instead of an administratively punishable act. Despite that, drunk drivers still sit behind the wheel, and between November 25 when the act came into force, and December 1, police have launched 24 criminal cases, Latvian Radio reported Friday.
Application for regional low-cost rental building projects has started. It is a state aid scheme that hopes to address housing problems, as well as to attract workforce to municipalities. The first 300 apartments are expected to be built in the next two and a half years, and 15 property developers are currently interested, Latvian Radio reported on November 23.
Monday, November 21, marks nine years since the tragedy when the roof of the Maxima supermarket in the Zolitūde district of Rīga caved in, claiming the lives of 54 people.
Seventeen different religious groups face potential censure for failing to submit proper financial accounts, Latvian Radio reports.
Latvian residents' interest in illegal television programs and websites has declined, according to recent observations and study data, Latvian Radio reported on October 31.
The State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) plans to temporarily close the less-congested stations due to critical personnel shortages, Latvian Radio reported October 19.
It is likely that the Saeima will adopt a legislative change next week to criminalize driving under the influence with at least 1.5 pro-mille blood alcohol. Will these changes be enough to prompt behavioral change? Latvian Radio continued its investigation of Latvia's multifaceted drinking problem on October 12.
The public actively reports alleged offenses in the elections to the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB), Karīna Poļanska, KNAB's representative, told Latvian Radio on October 1. Residents are asked to continue doing so.
From Friday, September 30, until Saturday, October 1, inclusive, the 'quiet' election period begins when political agitation is banned, the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) told Latvian Radio on Friday.
As of Monday, September 26, an early vote can be cast at the Saeima elections. Residents who cannot go to elections on Saturday, which is the official election day, can put their ballot in storage, Latvian Radio reported.
Latvian Health and Social Care Workers' Trade Union (LVSADA) agreed on a warning strike by the Cabinet on September 27 and 28, the Head of LVSADA Valdis Keris told Latvian Radio on September 20.
This winter could be the last that Latvia faces serious problems with Covid-19, infectologist Uga Dumpis said in an interview with Latvian Radio on September 19.
The new school year begins in Latvia, as usual, on September 1. The main challenges are the lack of study resources and teachers. These challenges are also accompanied by Ukrainian children joining schools and uncertainty about the Covid-19 situation, Latvian Television reported.