Thursday, April 18

Name day: Laura, Jadviga

Public broadcasting of Latvia
In Riga +4 °C, NNW wind, 2m/s

Zanda Ozola-Balode

Latvian Television

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Latvia plans to relax rules for guest workers
Latvia plans to relax rules for guest workers
The many calls by employers to allow easier recruitment of guest workers seem to have brought some result. Under the leadership of the Ministry of Economics, a strategy for the development of human capital is to be developed, making it easier for employers to attract employees from abroad in the short term, Latvian Television reported July 31.
Autism after 18: not in Latvia?
Autism after 18: not in Latvia?
The parents of several children on the autism spectrum have encountered a situation that when the child comes of age, the diagnosis is changed. Parents raised the alarm over this because it makes it difficult to receive help, which is already very limited for such people, Latvian Television reported on July 30.
Russian pensioner language exam-taking causes social media outrage
Russian pensioner language exam-taking causes social media outrage
A video taken in Daugavpils has gained millions of views on TikTok – it shows an elderly woman carried upstairs to take a Latvian language exam. Russian propaganda channels have managed to use the material for their own purposes, Latvian Television reported July 25.
Latvia's Covid vaccine procurement case reaches court
Latvia's Covid vaccine procurement case reaches court
Court proceedings are under way against the former Minister of Health Ilze Viņķele, in which she has been accused of inaction in the position as a state official. On Monday, June 19, Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš was among those testifying, Latvian Television reported.
One injured in explosion in Skulte, Latvia
One injured in explosion in Skulte, Latvia
On Tuesday, June 13, an explosion occurred in a five-story residential house in Mārupe municipality Skulte, where one person was injured, the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD) said.
May party ratings show LPV support rising, United List falling
May party ratings show LPV support rising, United List falling
Opposition parties filled three of the top four places in voters' affections in May, according to the latest SKDS poll for Latvian Television (LTV), but the New Unity party of Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš remains the most popular party of all, LTV reported June 7.
Government gives green light to hospital reform
Government gives green light to hospital reform
On May 30, the government supported the reform of the hospital network launched by the Ministry of Health (VM), taking note of the VM report presented to the government.  A new, updated report has to be prepared by the ministry by mid-August, with detailed criteria for each hospital.
Latvia, Estonia agree on joint airspace protection
Latvia, Estonia agree on joint airspace protection
Latvia and Estonia will jointly purchase anti-air defense systems IRIS-T, creating a new “Livonia Shield” for Latvian and Estonian airspace protection, Latvian Defense Minister Ināra Murniece (National Alliance) and Estonian Defense Minister Hanno Pevkur said at a press conference Sunday, May 21.
Grim Easter drunk driving figures(update)
Grim Easter drunk driving figures(update)
During the four Easter holidays, 78 intoxicated drivers were caught behind the wheel, State Police Traffic safety board deputy chief Artūrs Smilga told Latvian Television on April 11.
Lithuanian Ignitis plans big investments in Latvian energy sector
Lithuanian Ignitis plans big investments in Latvian energy sector
The Lithuanian energy company Ignitis Group has come up with ambitious investment plans in Latvia. In the coming years, it plans to invest at least €700 million in solar and wind energy production. Ignitis also aims to create the largest car charging network in the Baltic States, Latvian Television reported on March 21.
More monuments might be hidden from public space
More monuments might be hidden from public space
Monuments for the writer Andrejs Upīts, Soviet mathematician Mstislavs Keldišs, poet Alexander Pushkin, and other figures should be taken away from Rīga city center, according to Rīga City Council's Monument board, Latvian Television reported March 3. 
Revenue Service prepares for annual tax returns
Revenue Service prepares for annual tax returns
Every year, more than a million inhabitants of Latvia submit annual income declarations to recover overpaid taxes. The State Revenue Service (VID) said on Latvian Television February 12 that there is no rush to do it on the first day.
President looks at 'Black Hawk' helicopters at NBS base
President looks at 'Black Hawk' helicopters at NBS base
The National Armed Forces (NBS) have had a number of modern aircraft – 'Black Hawk' helicopters – delivered that are a significant improvement over their predecessors, which have been at the disposal of the armed forces so far. The President of Latvia Egils Levits visited the air force base on Monday, Latvian Television reported January 23.
Latvians receive highest bills so far
Latvians receive highest bills so far
The new heating bills that residents receive these days cause a headache even for those who usually don't complain about the cost of living. Heat bills have grown significantly. Rīgas social services' customers who need help to pay their bills, compared with a year earlier, have doubled, Latvian Television reported on January 17.
TV Rain employees can continue to work in Latvia
TV Rain employees can continue to work in Latvia
Despite the loss of the broadcast license of Riga-based independent Russian TV channel "TV Rain" (Дождь/Dozhdj), the Latvian Office of Citizenship and Migration Affairs (PMLP) has decided not to cancel the employment visas of TV Rain employees, reported Latvian Television on December 28.
Latvia has donated hundreds of generators to Ukraine
Latvia has donated hundreds of generators to Ukraine
The Latvian public, businesses and local governments have already donated several hundred generators to Ukraine and several more cargos will travel to Ukraine in the near future, Latvian Television reported on November 30.
Emergency team plans extra staff protection after recent attacks
Emergency team plans extra staff protection after recent attacks
The Emergency Medical Service (NMPD) wants to introduce additional safety measures for its employees, including body cameras following an occurrence recently when a service driver was stabbed in the chest several times, Latvian Television reported on November 2.
Rīga unveils restored memorial at Sudrabkalniņš
Rīga unveils restored memorial at Sudrabkalniņš
On Monday, October 31, the restored memorial site for the soldiers of the Riga 6th Infantry Regiment was unveiled. A procession of torches also marked the 85th anniversary of this memorial site, Latvian Television reported.
Latvia wants to buy fewer vaccine doses against Covid
Latvia wants to buy fewer vaccine doses against Covid
Europe as a whole is facing the issue of what to do with vaccine surpluses. The agreements between the European Commission and the vaccine manufacturers do not allow a reduction in the number of vaccines ordered without sanctions. Latvia has called on the European Commission to step up pressure on vaccine manufacturers, Latvian Television reported on October 27.
HIMARS is a hit, albeit with a hiccup
HIMARS is a hit, albeit with a hiccup
The United States' famous HIMARS rocket system put on a show in Latvia September 26, making the national news headlines in the process.