Latvia Weekly

Otto and Joe discuss the latest developments in Latvia related to COVID-19 and other stories such as a possible restoration of passenger rail to Bolderāja, a political crisis in Jēkabpils, scammers targeting DPD customers, a reduction in the amount of exams students must take, another development in the KPV LV soap opera, and more!

Otto and Joe discuss the news of the week including the first actions of the new health minister, a new party founded by populist deputy Aldis Gobzems, the latest COVID19 updates, and more!

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song:

Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Artist: audionautix.com/

Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

With Latvia Weekly' s 2020 person of the year Ilze Viņķele unceremoniously fired just days into the new year, it's not surprising that people aren't falling over themselves to become the next health minister as the pandemic enters its most critical stage yet. Otto and Joe discuss the fallout from Prime Minister Kariņš' momentous decision as well as other important stories from the week.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song:

Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Artist: audionautix.com/

Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

Otto and Joe take their yearly look back and count down the top 10 stories of 2020 (9:43), the "people's choice" person of the year (1:05:17), and the official Latvia Weekly person of the year for 2020 (1:20:48).

As Otto and Joe get ready for the strangest New Year's Eve of their lifetimes, they take a look back on some of the most important stories of the week and your nominations for the 2020 "Person of the Year" here in Latvia.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song:

Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Artist: audionautix.com/

Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

"Kluss" (quiet) is the word of the week as the government institutes a "quiet three weeks" of the strictest measures Latvia has seen yet during the COVID-19 pandemic. Otto and Joe take a socially distanced walk through Jelgava to discuss the deteriorating situation as well as other stories including more than 400,000 euro raised to fight domestic violence, the passing of a Latvian rock legend, and the legend of the world's first Christmas tree decorated hundreds of years ago in Rīga!

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Closing theme song:

Think Tank by Audionautix is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Artist: audionautix.com/

Music promoted by Audio Library youtu.be/mbV9t1Z0rA8

Snow is finally in the air, but so is the COVID-19 virus which continues to spread through the country at an alarming rate. Joe and Otto discuss the latest updates and decisions as well as other stories such as a major fire at a home improvement store, a surprising potential new supporter of expanded LGBT rights, another postponement of controversial changes to health care, and more!

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Otto is back with Joe to discuss public backlash against controversial new restrictions such as limits over what cannot be bought in supermarkets and distance learning from grades 5-6. Other important stories include the passing of the 2021 budget, mandatory national defense classes, and a further disintegration of the KPV LV party.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

As Prime Minister Krišjānis so succinctly put it in a phrase that has gone viral all over the Latvian speaking web, the country's COVID-19 situation is growing increasingly grim. TV24's Kārlis Streips joins Joe to discuss the latest restrictions as well as a few other important stories from the week, such as a call by the teacher's union for Minister of Education Ilga Šuplinska's resignation, a potential Kaliningrad - St. Petersburg rail line, and a new opportunity to watch some of Latvia's best films for free online.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission

Join Joe as he covers the biggest stories of the week, such as a forthcoming increase to minimum wage, a suspected human trafficking scheme at the Baltics' largest baking company, Latvia's placement on a questionable international English proficiency ranking, and the latest COVID-19 updates.

Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission