Viktors Demidovs

Viktors Demidovs

Latvian Radio

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Rīga builds infrastructure to divert truck traffic to port
Rīga builds infrastructure to divert truck traffic to port
In Rīga, an overpass to Kundziņsala is being built on the right bank of the Daugava, on Tvaika Street. The tens of millions of euros worth bridge will be a continuation of the Daudersala flyover and the Eastern Motorway, which opened last year. The overpass is due to be completed in just over a year, Latvian Radio reports.
More shortcomings found on Latvian new trains
More shortcomings found on Latvian new trains
New Škoda electric trains have been found to have yet more shortcomings. Latvian Radio has noticed that after only a few months in service, some of the windows on the 238-million-euro trains have started to fog up. Passenger train  operator Vivi admits that dozens of windows have defects, Latvian Radio reports October 27.
Crumbling Kaucminde Manor has hope for revival
Crumbling Kaucminde Manor has hope for revival
The crumbling Kaucminde Manor has a new owner. What are her commitments and could the manor, which is now in a pre-collapse state, regain its former status as an architectural jewel? Latvian Radio attempted to find out October 22.
Divided views over idea to cut writer's monument in half
Divided views over idea to cut writer's monument in half
"This is pure vandalism and blasphemy of one's ancestors", "it would be better to dismantle or leave" – these are the words used on social media to describe the Riga City Council's decision to halve the monument to writer Andrejs Upīts. Experts, many of whom criticize the decision, have also expressed their views, Latvian Radio reported on October 18.
Meta considers AI excellence center in Latvia
Meta considers AI excellence center in Latvia
Facebook, Instagram, WhatsApp and other global companies managed by the technology company Meta are planning to set up an artificial intelligence center of excellence in Latvia. It would be the first of its kind in Europe, according to Minister of Economics Viktors Valainis (Greens and Farmers Union), who met with a representative of Meta on Thursday, October 17.
Rīga to dismantle three more monuments
Rīga to dismantle three more monuments
On Wednesday, October 16, after a heated debate, the Riga City Council approved the dismantling and relocation of the statue of the Russian soldier Michael Andreas Barclay de Tolly in Esplanade Park. It was also decided to dismantle the statues of the writers Andrejs Upīts and Sudrabu Edžus.
Fate of historic Daugavgrīva fortress still undecided
Fate of historic Daugavgrīva fortress still undecided
The future of one of Latvia's largest and most striking historic locations remains unknown, reports Latvian Radio. While plans are slowly drawn up, the 400-year-old Daugavgrīva fortress near Rīga continues to crumble.
First flu cases recorded in Latvia
First flu cases recorded in Latvia
Latvia recorded 10 cases of influenza last week, the first this autumn. The virus has been detected in Rīga and Liepāja, Latvian Radio reported from the Disease Prevention and Control Center (SPKC) on Friday.
Politicians mull youth addiction treatment in Latvia
Politicians mull youth addiction treatment in Latvia
On Tuesday, October 8, the Saeima sub-committees came together to discuss psychiatric and narcological services for young people of children. After a long debate, not much was decided, except to come together again in half a year, Latvian Radio reported.
Street maintenance in Rīga will be costlier and hopefully higher quality
Street maintenance in Rīga will be costlier and hopefully higher quality
On October 1, ambitious five-year street maintenance contracts come into force in Rīga. Yesterday, September 30, the municipality signed a last-minute contract for the maintenance of bridges, overpasses, and pedestrian tunnels. The agreement is temporary, however, until the municipality finds a permanent contractor, Latvian Radio reports.
Municipalities try to improve water management after July's floods
Municipalities try to improve water management after July's floods
Several local authorities are working hard to clean up their sewage systems and ditches after the massive floods that hit some Latvian municipalities in late July and early August. A working group is planning to amend the law to make water management more uniform, Latvian Radio reports September 17.
Cutting and freezing state enterprise top wages considered in Latvia
Cutting and freezing state enterprise top wages considered in Latvia
As an austerity measure, President Edgars Rinkēvičs is planning to submit an initiative to the Saeima this week that would temporarily reduce the remuneration of the management and supervisory boards of state-owned companies, which are mostly supported by the budget. The head of the responsible Saeima committee agrees, Latvian Radio reports September 10.
Protesters ask for safe bicycle crossing of Vanšu Bridge
Protesters ask for safe bicycle crossing of Vanšu Bridge
The organization "Pilsēta cilvēkiem/City for People" is protesting on the sidewalk of the Vanšu Bridge on Tuesday, August 13, morning, calling on the Riga City Council to ensure that all road users can safely cross the bridge, including by creating an additional cycle lane on the carriageway.
More monuments face dismantling in Rīga
More monuments face dismantling in Rīga
Rīga is likely to see even fewer monuments, as the vice-mayor of the capital, together with the association "Center of Public Memory", is calling for the dismantling of eight symbols of communism and Russian imperialism in Rīga, Latvian Radio reported on August 9.
Train reliability improves compared to beginning of year
Train reliability improves compared to beginning of year
The passenger train operator Vivi has received around 100 compensation claims from citizens for delayed or canceled train services between April and mid-July. Most of them were for situations beyond the company's control, but for the rest of the cases, passengers were paid a total of around EUR 800, the company told Latvian Radio August 7.
Railway station upgrade might not come for another year in Latvia
Railway station upgrade might not come for another year in Latvia
Many places will have to wait a long time for comfortable and modern railway platforms - the ambitious project of Latvian Railways to modernize and build almost 50 railway stops will be fully completed only next year. The government has approved another extension of the deadline, Latvian Radio reported August 6.
Zemitāna Bridge reconstruction planned to start this season
Zemitāna Bridge reconstruction planned to start this season
The Riga City Council (RD) has decided to allocate up to EUR 24.2 million for the reconstruction of the Jorģa Zemitāna Bridge, allocating up to EUR 3.6 million from the municipal budget and borrowing EUR 20.6 million from the State Treasury, the municipality said.
Rīga-Liepāja-Klaipėda bus route considered
Rīga-Liepāja-Klaipėda bus route considered
Demand for international bus routes is increasing in Latvia, according to the Road Transport Directorate (ATD). Since last weekend, Latvians have had more opportunities to travel by bus to Finnish cities, and international services are being considered between Riga and Klaipėda in Lithuania, Latvian Radio reported July 31. 
Vanšu Bridge reconstruction to start next year at earliest
Vanšu Bridge reconstruction to start next year at earliest
The tender to repair the Vanšu Bridge in Rīga has failed - only one bidder came forward with an expensive bid. Rīga is planning to launch a new tender, and the major rebuild is not expected before next year, Latvian Radio reported on July 24.
Rīga reports savings of EUR 5 million for street repairs
Rīga reports savings of EUR 5 million for street repairs
Last year, the Rīga City Council said it had allocated EUR 35 million for street repairs. Last week, however, the municipal officials said that the sum was EUR 30 million. Where did the 5 million go? Latvian Radio attempted to find out.
City architect: Rīga has potential to be the center of the Baltics
City architect: Rīga has potential to be the center of the Baltics
While Rīga has many areas of outstanding architectural beauty, the city also has another, less attractive side  with abandoned lots, houses that are crumbling, and streets that are not properly repaired. Tackling these and other challenges is the job of city architect Pēteris Ratas, who has been leading the municipal architectural service for a year and a half.
Sufficient bio-waste sorting still a long way ahead in Latvia
Sufficient bio-waste sorting still a long way ahead in Latvia
Residents of Riga and the vicinity are increasingly sorting organic waste, but the necessary indicators are still far from being reached. In Riga, bio-waste containers have been compulsory at apartment buildings since March, but there are currently 2,000 missing. House managers will soon be fined for failing to install them, Latvian Radio reported July 10.

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