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Name day: Mirta, Ziedīte

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Linda Zalāne

Latvijas Radio raidījuma "Atvērtie faili" žurnāliste

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Economists: Inflation must not take root in Latvia
Economists: Inflation must not take root in Latvia
Central banks are committed to raising interest rates in order to fight inflation. In a discussion held by the Latvian central bank (Bank of Latvia) on Monday, October 17, experts will look at how this decision will affect households and businesses, and whether the Latvian economy can withstand a combination of high inflation and interest rate rises. The expert discussion is streamed live on LSM, and you can watch it below this story.
Inčukalns underground storage ready to begin pumping out gas
Inčukalns underground storage ready to begin pumping out gas
Inčukalns underground gas storage is ready to start the gas withdrawal season. In addition, the company is prepared to carry out both gas withdrawal and injection if needed. This contributes to the security and continuity of the natural gas supply, Latvian Radio reported on October 14.
Experts: Latvia has enough wood fuel resources for winter
Experts: Latvia has enough wood fuel resources for winter
State support for fuels such as briquettes, pellets and firewood does not have a significant impact on the market and the prices of these fuel sources, but the prices drive up the production costs, as well as the increased demand for wood fuel, according to experts asked by Latvian Radio, who said that Latvia's fuel resources are sufficient.
Latvians still actively subscribe to printed press
Latvians still actively subscribe to printed press
Latvian residents do not significantly change the tradition of subscribing to press over the years, Māris Vilcāns, Chairman of the Latvian Postal Service (LP) Board, told Latvian Radio September 30.
Rīga does not rush with turning on heating this year
Rīga does not rush with turning on heating this year
Rīga residents are ready to put on an extra layer and not yet turn on central heating. Latvian Radio reported on September 29 that people say they are trying to save, and they are not yet cold.
Solar park development in Latvia gains momentum
Solar park development in Latvia gains momentum
The development of solar parks in Latvia has gained momentum in the last two years, and in the near future, the first solar parks that are currently under development will begin to bear fruit. The interest in developing solar parks in Latvia is shown by both local and foreign investors. Competition for free capacity is huge because grid capacity is exhausted, Latvian Radio reported on September 13.
Rimi to introduce 'fixed prices' products until end of year
Rimi to introduce 'fixed prices' products until end of year
Sales are a common practice in grocery stores, but the crisis-time solution is to introduce fixed prices. Such a solution was introduced by the retail network “Rimi” on Tuesday, Latvian Radio reported on September 6.
Why Latvians vote and don't vote in Saeima elections
Why Latvians vote and don't vote in Saeima elections
Only 54% of eligible voters participated in previous parliamentary elections, which is the lowest activity in 30 years. Last year in municipal elections the activity was at 34%. On August 23 Latvian Radio addressed people in several Rīga neighborhoods about going to the elections.
Building insulation takes off rapidly in Latvia
Building insulation takes off rapidly in Latvia
The insulation of multi-apartment buildings has finally taken off in Latvia. The incentive factors are the fact that the planning period, which started in 2014, is coming to the finish line, and the rapid jump in energy prices makes people consider insulation to save on energy bills, Latvian Radio reported on August 17.
Energy prices could stabilize over 2-3 years, experts estimate
Energy prices could stabilize over 2-3 years, experts estimate
Although due to several factors of uncertainty, it is currently difficult to make accurate forecasts of when energy prices could stabilize, economists surveyed by Latvian Radio on August 10 estimated that this could take two to three years. 
Housing and rental market heated in Latvia
Housing and rental market heated in Latvia
The housing market is currently hot: demand for both rental and property purchases is well above supply. Those seeking new rental housing have to make a considerable effort to get a reasonable price, whereas those who want to buy housing have to take into account the high demand and prices that come with it, Latvian Radio reported on August 10. 
Concerns about gas supply this winter in Latvia
Concerns about gas supply this winter in Latvia
Concerns about adequate amounts of natural gas have intensified. The government has so far comforted the public that there will be enough gas for all, but the Minister for Economics Ilze Indriksone (National Alliance) has already mentioned that only households and strategically important companies will certainly have enough gas, Latvian Radio reported August 2.
Affordable housing project to kick off this autumn in Latvia
Affordable housing project to kick off this autumn in Latvia
In September, funding of EUR 43 million will be available to implement a construction project for affordable housing in Latvia for the first time. It is expected that the interest of major real estate developers will be high, Latvian Radio reported July 18.
Migration offices to introduce 'online queues' soon
Migration offices to introduce 'online queues' soon
With the introduction of the so-called 'live queue' system at offices of the Department of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP), the number of clients being served has increased significantly, and the lines are no longer as long as they were at the beginning of summer, when people were accepted by appointment only, according to a PMLP spokeswoman.
Taxi scheme nailed for alleged tax fraud
Taxi scheme nailed for alleged tax fraud
In June, the State Revenue Service (VID) Tax and Customs Police suspended the activities of a criminal group in the field of taxi services engaged in fraud of value-added tax (VAT), Latvian Radio reported on July 5.
How much cheese does a Latvian eat?
How much cheese does a Latvian eat?
One resident of Latvia consumes on average 22 kilograms of cheese and cottage cheese per year, the head of Latvian dairy farmer's central union (LPCS) Jānis Šolks told Latvian Radio on June 26.
Illegal online gambling popular in Latvia, study shows
Illegal online gambling popular in Latvia, study shows
In Latvia, around 11 thousand people use illegal betting or gambling sites on the Internet, and during the year it costs the state millions of euros in unpaid taxes, as reported by Latvian Interactive Gambling Association (LIAB) on June 17.
TV companies expect rise in illegal Russian channel broadcasting
TV companies expect rise in illegal Russian channel broadcasting
With the decision of the National Electronic Mass Media Council (NEPLP) to ban the broadcasting of all television channels registered in Russia, which were available to Latvian viewers until now, cable operators are worried about a potential piracy boom, given the information vacuum for the Russian-speaking audience, Latvian Radio reported on June 14.
Latvian tourism industry still hopeful for good season
Latvian tourism industry still hopeful for good season
Although the number of tourists this season will not come close to the level before the pandemic, workers in the sector are looking forward to the future. The biggest challenges include lack of staff and restoration of group tourism, Latvian Radio reported June 7.
Shopping habits still influenced by pandemic
Shopping habits still influenced by pandemic
People's shopping habits are currently affected by two powerful factors: the habits of the Covid-19 pandemic, and the inflation, which has led to a significant increase in food prices. The changes in shopping habits are felt by retailers, Latvian Radio reported June 1.
Empty shop spaces on streets of Rīga
Empty shop spaces on streets of Rīga
In Rīga, the demand for retail premises is small and commercial spaces are long empty. Real estate experts addressed by Latvian Radio on May 23 explained this situation with the pandemic immediately followed by the war, increasing instability.
Restaurants worried about potential lack of tourists in Latvia
Restaurants worried about potential lack of tourists in Latvia
The summer terrace season at restaurants is in full swing – or at least it should be. However, caterers worry that the geopolitical situation will reduce the number of tourists this summer and they will stay emptier than intended, Latvian Radio reported May 17.
No hope for growth in apartment building sector
No hope for growth in apartment building sector
In Latvia, the construction of new multi-apartment houses has been stagnating for ten years, and the trend is not changing. Due to construction costs and supply chain disruptions, it declined further, Latvian Radio reported May 17.
1400 Ukrainian refugees already work in Latvia
1400 Ukrainian refugees already work in Latvia
1,400 Ukrainian civilians have submitted an application to the State Employment Agency (NVA) for the commencement of employment relations in Latvia. The supply of vacancies from Latvian employers is well above demand, Latvian Radio reported April 28.
Old houses lose heat rapidly throughout Latvia
Old houses lose heat rapidly throughout Latvia
Given the geopolitical situation of the moment, the heating bills this winter skyrocketed, and the next season will likely be no better. One option is to insulate housing, which happens rarely in Rīga. Latvian Radio explored the reasons behind it in a new series 'Lost Heat' starting April 12.