Tuesday, December 3

Name day: Raita, Jogita, Evija

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Viktors Demidovs

Viktors Demidovs

Latvian Radio

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240 Ukrainian soldiers have got treatment in Latvia
240 Ukrainian soldiers have got treatment in Latvia
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Latvian hospitals and medical centers have so far helped around 240 wounded Ukrainian soldiers, of whom around 40 are currently receiving treatment, the charity project "M-Help", which helps bring injured Ukrainian soldiers to Latvia,  told Latvian Radio February 24.
Teenage addiction treatment inconsistent in Latvia
Teenage addiction treatment inconsistent in Latvia
A teenager died last year from an overdose at the Riga Children's and Youth Center (orphanage). The Center's management and Ombudsman point to inconsistencies in the laws – if a minor does not wish to be treated for addiction, he or she cannot be helped, Latvian Radio reported on February 16.
Rīga mulls idea of drunk tanks for minors
Rīga mulls idea of drunk tanks for minors
It is required by law to have sobering-up centers for adults, but there are no such places for minors. Drunk minors often burden the children's hospital work, Latvian Radio reported on February 7.
Soviet-era elevators pose potential hazards in Rīga dwellings
Soviet-era elevators pose potential hazards in Rīga dwellings
About half of the elevators found in multi-apartment buildings in Rīga could now be around fifty years old. Spare parts are not available, and changing the elevators could take more than a decade. Rīga City Council is aware of the potential risks posed by the old elevators and is starting to look for solutions, Latvian Radio reported on January 31.
Rīga to cooperate with Turin in new police drone program
Rīga to cooperate with Turin in new police drone program
To protect the environment and increase public safety, Rīga City Council, along with the Italian city Turin's local government and companies from both countries, will begin preparing for the use of new drones on Monday, Latvian Radio reported.
Initiative calls for train renewal between Rīga and Ventspils
Initiative calls for train renewal between Rīga and Ventspils
Residents have collected signatures on the initiative portal “Manabalss.lv” within a couple of days regarding the renewal of passenger train traffic between Rīga and Ventspils, which is the only major city in Latvia to which passenger trains do not travel. Residents' signatures are to be passed on to the Ministry of Transport, Latvian Radio reported January 25.
Two out of seven defective trains fixed
Two out of seven defective trains fixed
For two new electric trains, technical problems have been eliminated, so 12 out of 17 compositions currently at the disposal of Vivi are ready to carry passengers, Latvian Radio found out Friday.
Minister expects 95% readiness with new trains in two months
Minister expects 95% readiness with new trains in two months
Within two months, the readiness of new electric trains must be 95%, Transport Minister Kaspars Briškens (Progressives) announced on Tuesday, January 9, indicating that currently only 60% of new compositions are ready to carry passengers.
Over 50 losses claims for train delays recorded
Over 50 losses claims for train delays recorded
About 20 refund applications for taxi rides have been filed with the passenger train operator Vivi in the past week, while 35 times passengers have been refunded for unused e-tickets, Latvian Radio found out January 8.
Over 200 traffic accidents in Friday's blizzard in Latvia
Over 200 traffic accidents in Friday's blizzard in Latvia
By 20:00 on Friday, January 5, 191 road accidents without injuries and 11 accidents with injured people were registered in Latvia, the State Police reported. On Friday, ice and snowy roads made driving difficult in many parts of Latvia.
Rīga mulls tree protection plans
Rīga mulls tree protection plans
How can trees that grow outside forests of Rīga be protected, maintained, and under what circumstances can they be felled? On Thursday, January 4, Riga City Council discussed this with experts and is now awaiting people's thoughts, Latvian Radio reported. 
Five new trains found to have defects
Five new trains found to have defects
Five of the total seventeen electric trains delivered to Latvia by Skoda Vagonka have been found to have different deficiencies, the passenger carrier Vivi told Latvian Radio on January 2.
Eight new trains on Latvia's tracks in total
Eight new trains on Latvia's tracks in total
In mid-December the management of Vivi (previously “Pasazieru Vilciens”) stated that 18-19 new electric trains should be at its disposal by the end of the year. Latvian Radio found out December 30 that 17 compositions have been received, eight of which are carrying by passengers.
Stable demand for fireworks ahead of New Year in Latvia
Stable demand for fireworks ahead of New Year in Latvia
People are buying fireworks actively ahead of the new year, Latvian Radio found out at a Riga pyrotechnics store December 29. Meanwhile, the industry association told LETA that this year residents are dedicating up to 30% less money to pyrotechnics than last year.
Saeima budget debate pushed back to Friday
Saeima budget debate pushed back to Friday
Fierce debates, loud exclamations, a large dose of sarcasm – such was the order of the day on December 7 during Saeima debates ahead of the main 2024 budget vote.
Social media rat-tled about central station wildlife
Social media rat-tled about central station wildlife
Riga Central Station Square has been taken over by rats. A video posted on social networks showing at least ten hungry ones scurrying around the garbage bins has caused much resonance and shock among the public, Latvian Radio reported on December 6.
Public not keen on planned harsher penalties for speeding
Public not keen on planned harsher penalties for speeding
Latvia plans to introduce the confiscation of driver's licenses if the permitted speed is exceeded by at least 30 kilometers per hour and impose a fine for speeding up to 10 kilometers per hour. After such a police plan was supported by the Saeima, more than 12 thousand residents have signed against it on the initiative portal “Manabalss.lv” within days, Latvian Radio reported Monday, December 4.
Rīga re-establishes anti-corruption committee
Rīga re-establishes anti-corruption committee
On Wednesday, November 29, Riga City Council decided to reinstate the previously abolished Anti-Corruption Committee. The aim is to better understand ethics, prevent conflicts of interest and improve whistleblowing, Latvian Radio reported.
Drivers will have free public transport in Rīga Thursday
Drivers will have free public transport in Rīga Thursday
In relation to meteorologists' forecasts of the snowfall expected Wednesday night, Rīga municipality will have “blizzard tickets” on Thursday, November 30. Drivers will be able to use the city's public transport for free on this day.
Students might get lower bus fares in Rīga
Students might get lower bus fares in Rīga
Rīga local government has submitted a draft regulation for public consultation, in which it is planned to reduce the public transport prices for students at universities of Rīga, Latvian Radio reported November 27.
Liepāja-Rīga-Daugavpils bus route planned next year
Liepāja-Rīga-Daugavpils bus route planned next year
Next spring, among the largest cities – Liepāja, Rīga, and Daugavpils – the longest bus route in Latvia is planned to be introduced by Lux Express, one of the largest bus carriers in the Baltics, Latvian Radio reported on November 15.
Unsorted waste mountains grow in Latvia
Unsorted waste mountains grow in Latvia
The volume of municipal waste in Latvia is growing. Last year, one resident of Rīga and Pierīga created an average of 280 kilograms of unsorted municipal waste that ended up in the Getliņi landfill, according to data from Getliņi Eko. To try to reduce the amount of waste, the company unveiled a campaign on Tuesday, Latvian Radio reports.
Rail Baltica project has money concerns
Rail Baltica project has money concerns
The first high-speed train on the would-be Rail Baltica could start running in 2028. The entire route from Tallinn to the Lithuanian/Polish border is promised to be completed by 2030. The biggest concern is whether the multi-billion euro project will have enough money. To finish work in Rīga, EUR 200 million is already lacking, Latvian Radio reported on September 26.
Big oak vanishes under mysterious circumstances in Iļģuciems, Rīga
Big oak vanishes under mysterious circumstances in Iļģuciems, Rīga
Residents of the Iļģuciems district in Rīga have raised the alarm about a large oak sawn in mysterious circumstances on municipal land. After photos posted by local activists, it looks like the tree was sawn professionally. Police and the City Council have also launched a case to find out what happened, Latvian Radio reported September 7.
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