Friday, April 26

Name day: Rūsiņš, Sandris, Alīna

Public broadcasting of Latvia
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Mike Collier

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Author's articles
London Book Fair Voices: Andra Jakoviča
London Book Fair Voices: Andra Jakoviča
The Baltic states are center stage at the London Book Fair taking place in the English capital April 10-12. As well as the trade fair itself, a wide program of linked events at various locations are promoting Latvian culture and business. LSM editor Mike Collier will bring you a series of audio reports from participants and visitors.
Baltics, Poland vow electricity grids will be synchronized by 2025
Baltics, Poland vow electricity grids will be synchronized by 2025
At a meeting in Brussels on 22 March, the governments of the Baltic countries and Poland as well as the President of the European Commission, said there would be synchronization of the electricity networks of the Baltic states with the continental European system by 2025.
Can you answer these 10 questions about Baltic art?
Can you answer these 10 questions about Baltic art?
April 10 sees the opening of a major exhibition at the Musee d'Orsay in Paris dedicated to the art of the Baltic states. Titled Âmes Sauvages: Le symbolisme dans l’art des pays Baltes. (Wild Souls: Symbolism in the art of the Baltic states), it runs until July 15 and forms one of the cornerstones of Estonia's, Latvia's and Lithuania's international celebrations of their founding centenaries.
A guide to the rest of Latvia's non-resident banks
A guide to the rest of Latvia's non-resident banks
Latvia's non-resident banks -- financial institutions with a large proportion of clients based in other countries -- are attracting a lot of international attention at the moment, for all the wrong reasons.
Things of Latvia: Candles
Things of Latvia: Candles
It is a small step from being a sun worshipper to being a fire worshipper, which may go some way to explaining the popularity of candles (sveces) in Latvia. In summer there is the sun. In winter there is no sun capable of burning you very severely, so we must rely on candles.
ABLV bank votes itself out of business
ABLV bank votes itself out of business
ABLV bank, having already described itself as being liquidated by order of the European Central Bank, on the evening of February 26 confirmed the process by voting to wind itself up.
Regulator steps in on ABLV bank, 470 million euro payout looms
Regulator steps in on ABLV bank, 470 million euro payout looms
The fate of ABLV bank looked sealed February 24 with Latvia's financial regulator the Financial and Capital Market Commission (FKTK) announcing a "decision on unavailability of deposits" at the bank that will force the bank to pay off depositors to the tune of an estimated 470 million euros.
Kučinskis: fight against corruption "one of main priorities of the government"
Kučinskis: fight against corruption "one of main priorities of the government"
In Brussels on February 23 Latvian Prime Minister Māris Kučinskis was on a damage limitation exercise. For a week newspapers across Europe and beyond had been running front-page stories about sensational developments in Latvia's financial sector involving allegations of money-laundering, bribery, conspiracy, corruption and even, according to the government's own sources, a "probable" co-ordinated campaign to defame Latvia's name - which is a bit like saying everyone is making too much out of the money-laundering, bribery, conspiracy and corruption.
Foreign investors "seriously concerned" about banking sector scandals(update)
Foreign investors "seriously concerned" about banking sector scandals(update)
The influential Foreign Investors Council in Latvia (FICIL) said February 23 it was "seriously concerned" by the ongoing situation in Latvia's financial sector and urged the authorities to get a grip with thorough and speedy investigations of the swirling mass of accusations and counter-accusations.
ABLV bank vows to restore stability, compliance officer quits(update)
ABLV bank vows to restore stability, compliance officer quits(update)
Two days after ABLV bank presented a plan outlining its future to the European Central Bank in Frankfurt, chairman and chief executive Ernests Bernis told reporters February 22 the bank's chief compliance officer had resigned as part of an attempt to restore its fortunes.
Latvian central bank boss Rimšēvičs: "I will not step down."
Latvian central bank boss Rimšēvičs: "I will not step down."
At an extraordinary 75-minute press conference February 20, central bank governor Ilmārs Rimšēvičs said he will not step down from the job he has held since 2001, despite calls from the President, Prime Minister, Finance Minister and others to do so in the wake of an investigation into his affairs by the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB).
Latvian central bank governor suspected of seeking large bribe
Latvian central bank governor suspected of seeking large bribe
The Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau (KNAB) said February 19 it had been holding central bank governor Ilmārs Rimšēvičs in detention for the last two days because he was suspected of accepting or soliciting a bribe of at least 100,000 euros.
ABLV is a big deal
ABLV is a big deal
Next time a bank tells you how clever it is, how it uses all the latest technology, how its accounts are super secure and how slick and smart and highly-trained its employees are, you might choose to disbelieve the claim.
Listen to the voices of TechChill!
Listen to the voices of TechChill!
More than 2,000 participants gathered in Riga February 8 for the two-day TechChill festival which is generally regarded as the season opener for the whole Baltic Startup scene. Three stages are in operation throughout the festival with a varied agenda ranging from the deadly serious to the decidedly lighthearted.
Latvian- and Russian-language media: contrasting stories
Latvian- and Russian-language media: contrasting stories
February 1 saw the launch of new research from the Center for East European Policy Studies (CEEPS or APPC in Latvian) examining the similarities and differences between Latvian-language and Russian-language coverage of international news in the Latvian media space.
Ukraine removes Latvia from tax haven watch list
Ukraine removes Latvia from tax haven watch list
Diplomatic efforts appeared to pay off January 31 with Ukraine responding to Latvian demands and removing Latvia from a list of potential tax havens that threatened to complicate trade between the two countries, according to reports in Ukrainian media.
Suspected spy arrested in December, held in custody
Suspected spy arrested in December, held in custody
Latvia's counter-espionage Security Police (DP) announced January 26 that last month they arrested a suspected spy, a Latvia citizen believed to have been passing information to a foreign power.
Learn English with Renārs Kaupers!
Learn English with Renārs Kaupers!
Popular Latvian musician Renārs Kaupers, a successful solo artist as well as being front man of legendary group Prāta Vētra (Brainstorm) has a charming new proposition - learn the English alphabet with the help of his latest ditty!