Over the last five years, a total of 70 persons have requested the politically repressed status. Of those, half have been rejected. Is the problem in the system or in the people? Latvian Radio sought answers June 13.
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Prosecutor General Juris Stukāns criticizes the lawyer of the woman stalked and killed in Jēkabpils, meanwhile, the lawyer is surprised by the accusations and calls them repugnant. The lawyers' council is asking for an investigation into Stukāns' actions, Latvian Radio and Latvian Television reported on June 8.
A similar tool to a dating app is intended to reduce youth unemployment. For three weeks, young people have been able to meet with companies for a 15-minute interview on a new digital platform called “Work Tinder” (Darba Tinderis). For the time being, the project has a high level of youth activity, but the participation of entrepreneurs is less inspiring, Latvian Radio reported May 31.
On Sunday, May 28, the Saeima decided shortly before midnight to declare Monday, May 29, as a holiday in honor of the bronze medals won by the Latvian hockey team at the world championship. For those institutions that still had to work, the decision brought extra challenges, Latvian Radio reported on May 30.
Fruit orchards and gardens in all regions of Latvia have been damaged with the unusual frost last week. The damage will cost millions, estimated the Latvian Association of Fruit Growers, which will turn to the Ministry of Agriculture (ZM) for support to the sector, Latvian Radio reported on May 12.
Approximately 500 species have been identified as endangered in the Latvian Red Book (a book listing endangered species) renewal project from the 1,500 species evaluated, Latvian Radio reported on May 2.
From May 1, the State Forest Service determines the beginning of the fire-hazard period in forests of Latvia.
As of May this year, urban households will have access to aid for replacing old heating systems. A total of €12.44 million is available in the European fund grant program to motivate households to replace old wood heating furnaces as well as coal or peat boilers, Latvian Radio reported on April 18.
The price of firewood has been gradually declining in recent months. Wood traders are not seeing a significant increase in demand on the domestic market for the time being, but it is forecast that people will purchase large stocks of wood for the next heating season this summer, Latvian Radio reported April 11.
Coastal municipalities will have to develop additional pedestrian pathways leading to the sea in populated areas, in accordance with a new draft law directed by the Ministry of Environment which provides that cities and villages must have at least two pedestrian paths to the sea per kilometer, Latvian Radio reported on February 28.
Producers have not fully taken over the deposit packaging system under their responsibility at the moment, as a significant burden has been imposed on small traders, according to the Latvian Traders' Association, Latvian Radio reported February 14.
Due to expensive heating, some vegetable greenhouses postpone cucumber and tomato cultivation for a month this season, Latvian Radio reported on February 10.
Latvian dairy farmers have observed a drop in milk prices, and the discontent is growing. It is also encouraged by the high price of dairy products in stores. Farmers are also considering taking action, including a boycott of supermarkets, said the Farmers' Saeima association to Latvian Television on February 5.
Latvia had committed to introducing a system for sorting textiles this year, but red containers are still not available in many areas, Latvian Radio reported on January 27.
The water level in the River Daugava near the city of Jēkabpils remains extremely high, with only the concrete embankment holding back the water, Jēkabpils mayor Raivis Ragainis told Latvian Radio January 14.
The number of electric vehicles purchased with State aid is still small due to the lack of cars on the market. Car dealers say that the time of car deliveries depends on the manufacturer, which can take between six months and 1.5 years. The responsible Ministry has promised to extend the period of the State aid program until the end of the following year, Latvian Radio reported on January 13.
The cost of the Skulte LNG terminal project has tentatively increased by €28 million. The project developer is still looking for the most appropriate technical solution, and the environmental impact assessment process is still not in place. Minister for Energy and Climate Raimonds Čudars (New Unity) is currently waiting for a detailed economic justification for building a terminal in Latvia, Latvian Radio reported on January 11.
Over the past year, there have been positive trends in the reduction of unemployment, particularly in long-term unemployment. At the same time,t he number of vacancies increased by 10 percent in Latvia in the third quarter, Latvian Radio reported on December 27.
This year, demand for Christmas trees has fallen by 10% to 15% according to the tree growers surveyed by Latvian Radio on December 22. The costs of growing spruces have increased this year, and the prices for festival trees have also risen slightly. In addition, tree growers have observed that visitors choose the cheapest rather than the buffiest tree this year.
After 5 to 7 years, municipal waste will no longer be disposed of at the landfill site Getliņi in Ropaži municipality, as it is reaching its limit and it is not possible to extend the site. Surveyed residents so far oppose the construction of a new landfill site in Rīga, Latvian Television and Latvian Radio reported on November 7,
Due to the rapid increase in food prices, non-governmental organizations and local government social services are starting to distribute additional food parcels to low-income individuals. Representatives of the Red Cross have seen more people this year in need of help, with more young people emerging, Latvian Radio reported on November 2.
This year, the number of thefts of different devices and fuel from agricultural machinery has increased. Tractors themselves are stolen less, but risks are also ploughs, tires, or trailers left unattended. Farmers are concerned that the number of thefts will rise further, with the worsening economic situation, Latvian Radio reported on November 2.
The State Employment Agency currently registers a total of more than 7,000 unemployed persons with disabilities. The number of these job seekers has decreased in Latvia over the past five years, but the share of the total number of unemployed people has increased, accounting for 14% of the total number of unemployed people, Latvian Radio reported on October 26.
Potato harvest is in full swing across Latvia. Farmers estimate that the harvest would be better than last year but nothing too spectacular, Latvian Radio reported on September 8.
The dairy producer "Elpa" has declared insolvency. High milk procurement prices and increased energy resources also cause problems for other companies, according to the union of dairy farmers, Latvian Radio reported on September 6.
Around a quarter of Latvia's small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) currently need loans, according to a SEB Bank survey. Entrepreneurs say that small businesses have poor access to loans at banks, Latvian Radio reported on August 25.
For the eighth year, the University of Latvia (LU) organized the "Summer School of Latvian Language and Culture" for everyone who is interested to improve their Latvian language skills and expand their knowledge of Latvian history, art, and folklore. Despite the pandemic, foreigners' interest in the course has not dwindled, Latvian Radio reported on August 14.
Ukrainians have displayed quite a lot of interest in enrolment in Latvian universities, including people who have moved to Latvia after the beginning of the war and those who apply for studies while still in Ukraine, Latvian Radio reported on August 10.
Historians urge municipalities to change the names of streets glorifying the communist regime or russification policies. Local governments surveyed by Latvian Radio August 8 say they do not object conceptually to the change of names, but point to the difficulties and costs that will arise for residents and entrepreneurs whose addresses are on these streets.
Beekeepers predict that overall honey yields are likely to be good this year. Because of the cool spring and late plant blooms, there are also large differences among keepers. The trade is also affected by the increase in energy resources and fuel, Latvian Radio reported August 3.
The Russian independent TV channel Dozhd (sometimes called TV Rain in English) returned to the airwaves this week, thanks in part to it finding a safe haven in Rīga.
There is a lack of working hands on Latvian farms every harvest season. Ukrainian refugees will not fill these vacancies, farmers predict, Latvian Radio reported June 2.