Tuesday, April 23

Name day: Jurģis, Juris, Georgs

Public broadcasting of Latvia
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Madara Fridrihsone

Latvian Television

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1.4 million tonnes of manganese ore went to Russia through Latvia in 2023
1.4 million tonnes of manganese ore went to Russia through Latvia in 2023
In 2022, 1.2-1.3 million tonnes of manganese ore were transported by rail in transit through Latvia to Russia, 1.4 million tonnes in 2023, and slightly less than 100 thousand tonnes of manganese ore in the first months of this year, Latvian Television's "What is happening in Latvia/Kas notiek Latvijā" program reports.
Latvian chickens eat Russian feed, LTV reports
Latvian chickens eat Russian feed, LTV reports
Latvia is currently discussing a ban on animal feed imports from Russia and Belarus. According to the Food and Veterinary Service, twelve establishments are indicated as the destination of these goods in Latvia at the time of crossing the border, of which the egg producer Balticovo is the most well-known to the general public, Latvian Television's "Kas notiek Latvijā/KNL" broadcast reported on February 21.
What is known so far about former PM Kariņš' expensive flights?
What is known so far about former PM Kariņš' expensive flights?
Since it has been unveiled that former Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) had a liking to private jets and special flights, more so than most European politicians, the Latvian Television broadcast "What is happening in Latvia?" (Kas notiek Latvijā/KNL) has been analyzing related data from various sources. KNL compiled its findings so far as of February 19.
Survey suggests many are disappointed with their election choices
Survey suggests many are disappointed with their election choices
Just over a year after the 14th Saeima took office, 40.7% of voters are more disappointed than satisfied with their choice in the parliamentary elections, according to a survey carried out by the market and opinion research center SKDS at the initiative of the Latvian Television program “What is happening in Latvia?” in early December 2023.
Survey: 11% of Latvian public thinks quality of life improved in 2023
Survey: 11% of Latvian public thinks quality of life improved in 2023
Only 0.6% of the population believe that in 2023, compared to 2022, the quality of life in Latvia has significantly improved, according to a survey carried out by the research center SKDS at the initiative of the Latvian Television program "What is happening in Latvia?" in December of 2023.
Kariņš' flying habits turn out to be expensive at EU level
Kariņš' flying habits turn out to be expensive at EU level
Travel expenses of the Latvian delegation to the European Council summits covered by the European Union (EU) budget between 2019 and 2022 were the largest among the Member States, more than a fifth of all payments in total, reports Latvian Television's broadcast "Kas notiek Latvijā?" (What is happening in Latvia?) on December 28.
Graph shows presidential ratings in Latvia from 1996 to 2023
Graph shows presidential ratings in Latvia from 1996 to 2023
The public rating of President Egils Levits has been historically the lowest for some time now. Pollster SKDS and Latvian Television's broadcast Kas notiek Latvijā? published a comparison of presidential ratings as of March 2023, ahead of the presidential election to be held in June.
Long-term unemployed need more help says OECD
Long-term unemployed need more help says OECD
Existing employment promotion programs in Latvia need to be improved, with a special emphasis on returning the long-term unemployed to the labor market according to conclusions expressed by experts from the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) at a conference in Rīga April 16.
Rīgans should soon be able to breathe again
Rīgans should soon be able to breathe again
The ten-year-long story of moving coal-handling terminals at Rīga port away from residential areas is coming to an end. A few weeks ago, the first coal cargo was loaded at the new Krievu sala (Russian island) terminal, Ansis Zeltiņš, the manager of the Rīga Freeport, told Latvian Radio in an interview March 11.
Pain or gain? Five years since Latvia introduced the euro
Pain or gain? Five years since Latvia introduced the euro
Support for the euro in Latvia is very high at 83%, five years since it was introduced on January 1, 2014 when the country became the 18th member to join the eurozone. Nevertheless there's persistent nostalgia for the country's old currency, the lat. 
Number of cashless payments up 3% in first half of 2018
Number of cashless payments up 3% in first half of 2018
The number of cashless payments has grown 3% in the first half of 2018 as compared to the latter half of 2017, while payment volume has decreased 18%. A total of 235 million cashless transfers were made January through July 2018, with a value of over €104 billion.
IMF: Growth moderate while banking sector is restructured(update)
IMF: Growth moderate while banking sector is restructured(update)
Due to the reputational crisis Latvia's banking sector is undergoing in the wake of ABLV Bank's collapse, the growth of Latvia's gross domestic product (GDP) in 2018 will be 0.3% less than previously forecast, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) said in Rīga July 2. 
Challenging year so far for Latvian brewers
Challenging year so far for Latvian brewers
For breweries, the Midsummer festival brings a lot of extra revenue as the brew heralded in festival songs prompts even those who typically abstain from drink to have a glass or two. Nevertheless, Latvian breweries have had a difficult year so far, reported Latvian Radio June 23.
Security Police investigation to decide if bankers will be put on trial
Security Police investigation to decide if bankers will be put on trial
Whether any bankers will be put to trial over sanctions-busting depends on the results of an investigation by Latvia's Security Police, Financial and Capital Markets Commission (FKTK) head Pēters Putniņš told LTV after he was grilled in a committee at the European Parliament. 
About 70 ABLV clients likely to lose residency permits
About 70 ABLV clients likely to lose residency permits
About 500 third-country nationals have residency permits in Latvia, provided in exchange for deposits in the country's banks. About 70 of these permits were provided for deposits in the imploding ABLV Bank, and these are likely not to be renewed upon expiration, reports Latvian Radio March 15.
Central bank loans ABLV nearly 300 million in a week
Central bank loans ABLV nearly 300 million in a week
The Board of Governors of the Bank of Latvia has decided to grant another loan to provide liquidity to the troubled commercial bank "ABLV Bank". The amount of this loan is nearly 200 million euros. The total amount of the loans granted to ABLV Bank this week amounts to 297.2 million euros. 
Gazprom still hasn't sold off shares at gas storage utility
Gazprom still hasn't sold off shares at gas storage utility
Contrary to Latvian law, the Russian gas giant Gazprom hasn't sold its shares at the gas transmission and storage company, Conexus Baltic Grid, which operates the Inčukalns natural gas storage facility, reports Latvian Radio on January 2. 
Budget okayed by cabinet
Budget okayed by cabinet

The cabinet of ministers on October 10 approved the budget prepared by Finance Minister Dana Reizniece-Ozola, paving the way for it to be sent to Saeima on October 11.

Latvian telecoms giant could be floated on stock exchange
Latvian telecoms giant could be floated on stock exchange

A telecoms giant consisting of merged Lattelecom and LMT companies floated on the stock exchange is one of the options the Latvian government is currently considering, advisors to the government said August 10.