Latvia Weekly

For those of you who were unable to join Otto and Joe on Facebook live for their 18th of November special, you can listen here on their and others' reflections regarding the importance of proclamation day here in Latvia.

After continuing to use his Rīga City Council parking privileges years after no longer serving on local government, Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Juris Pūce has paid what might be the most expensive parking ticket in city history — one that has cost him his job, and a path to the prime ministership. Otto and Joe break down this story and a number of others such as a major court victory for Latvia's LGBT community, a daycare scandal, and the latest in the COVID-19 situation.

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

As we all continue fighting the COVID-19 pandemic, Latvia remembers the brave people who fought in the War of Independence 100 years ago by celebrating "Lāčplēša diena" on the 11th of November. Otto and Joe discuss the importance of this day in history and cover the latest updates to the COVID-19 situation and other news stories throughout Latvia.

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

Olevs (Baltic Security Foundation), Kārlis (Rīga TV24), and Kristaps (Eastern Border Podcast) join Otto and Joe to discuss the news of the week and to celebrate Latvia Weekly's 100th episode!

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

As Latvia switches its clocks and hour back for the fall, the amount of new COVID-19 cases in Latvia continues to skyrocket. Joe explains all of the newest restrictions and reflects on life in Latvia during the pandemic, while also covering stories such as new environmentally friendly busses for Valmiera, the introduction of young pike to Juglas ezers, and a moose on the loose in the middle of Riga!

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

Kārlis Streips joins Joe to discuss the worrying rise in COVID cases and new restrictions such as masks in public places and a return to distance learning for grades 7-12. They also discuss other stories from the week such as the new budget for 2021, a new president of the constitutional court, a Latvian-created robot that can do your weeding for you, and an international chess scandal in the tiny town of Valka.

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

Otto and Olevs discuss important domestic and international news stories of the week, such as the re-introduction of COVID-related restrictions in Latvia and the first days of work of the new mayor of Rīga.

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

Join Otto and Olevs as they discuss French President Emmanuel Macron's visit to Latvia along with a number of other important stories from the week, including a worrying rise in the amount of new COVID-19 cases and the implications.

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

The fallout of the Rīga City Council election continues to settle, with former prime minister candidate Vjačeslavs Dombrovskis and fellow Saeima deputy Ļubova Švecova being kicked out of the struggling Saskaņa party in a crackdown on critical voices. Otto and Olevs discuss the implications of this move along with other important news items, such as yet another tragic murder of a lawyer, the future of a major Rīga skyscraper, and more developments with the situation in Belarus.

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

Otto and Olevs discuss the latest drama in the Rīga City Council as well as some interesting stories regarding passenger rail, constitutional issues, and much more!