Latvia Weekly

KPV LV celebrates Game of Thrones' final season in style by sending party founder Artuss Kaimiņš to the wall, but with Aldis Gobzems already exiled and Atis Zakatistovs under investigation, is there anyone left to sit on the iron throne of what was one of Latvia's most powerful political forces just months ago? Otto, Joe and their guest producer Ivars discuss this and other major stories including the latest updates in the Rīga city government and public transit scandals, language and biking protests, online sale of alcohol, a major archaeological find in Ventspils, and much more!

Produced by Ivars Bleidelis

Opening and 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

Image courtesy of Wicker Paradise via flickr: https://www.flickr.com/photos/wicker-furniture/9162528732

The weather is heating up, and so is the growing conflict between the Saskaņa-led Rīga City Council and the national government. Join Otto and Joe as they discuss a major bridge closure, a phony contract scandal, updates in education reform and ongoing corruption cases, a possible concert hall in the Rīga Central Market meat pavillion, solar panels on Maxima supermarkets, and much more!

Opening and 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

Listen to Joe and Otto discuss the current run-up to the election of European Parliament in Latvia, as well as the usual look at national politics, sports, history and ideas for what to see in Latvia the next week.

Opening and 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

Image Credit: Marco Verch (https://foto.wuestenigel.com/white-paper-with-european-elections-text-on-european-union-flag/?utm_source=32376266987&utm_campaign=FlickrDescription&utm_medium=link)

Used with a Creative Commons 2.0 license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/)

Otto and Joe are back together at Rīga Central Station to discuss the latest drama at Latvia's public television and on Rīga city council, as well as a "vote of no confidence" against Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš, some ambitious plans by Minister of Environmental Protection and Regional Development Juris Pūce, smuggled daggers, and much more!

Otto is joined once again by Olevs Nikers to discuss outgoing politicians, ongoing reforms, incoming bans on tobacco and totalitarian uniforms, a surprise Olevs encountered during his first run in Jūrmala, and what exotic events to enjoy the next week in Latvia!

Opening and 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 is back from a hectic business trip to the US just in time to discuss major stories from last week with Joe, including the closing of casinos in Rīga, the fate of Mayor Nils Ušakovs, the fall from grace of one of the region’s biggest banks, more delays for new electric trains, and much more!

Opening and 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

Sports theme song:

"Makai Symphony - Dragon Castle" is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: youtu.be/9gBTKiVqprE

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am

Otto is joined by the director of Baltic Strategy Project Mr. Olevs Nikers to discuss best advice to open the running season in Latvia, new ideas of tackling food waste, fights against mismanagement and gambling in the capital city, the most important elections in the last 30 years, and much more!

Opening and 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

Happy St. Patrick's Day! Join Otto and Joe as they celebrate Ireland's big day while discussing the week's biggest stories in Latvia and abroad, including an English exam cheating scandal, more intrigue at Rīgas Satiksme, 16-year-olds being allowed to hunt, TTT Rīga's success at the womens' basketball championship, and much more!

St. Patrick's opening theme:

"Morrisson's jig - Leslie's march by Aislinn is licensed under a Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives (aka Music Sharing) 3.0 International License.

Music promoted by the Free Music Archive http://freemusicarchive.org/

Sports theme song:

"Makai Symphony - Dragon Castle" is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: youtu.be/9gBTKiVqprE

Otto and Joe are back at Rīga Central Station to discuss International Women's Day as well as major developments throughout the country in terms of the state's budget, ongoing corruption cases, and much more!

Opening and 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

Mayor Nils Ušakovs and Vice Mayor Andris Ameriks may be trying to escape Rīga for seats in European Parliament, but Joe and Otto are staying right here in Jelgava to break down the events of the week for you. Segments include domestic and international news, this week in Latvian history, "Deal or No Deal," weather, sports, and the week in the future!

Opening and 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

Sports theme song:

"Makai Symphony - Dragon Castle" is under a Creative Commons license (CC BY-SA 3.0).

Music promoted by BreakingCopyright: youtu.be/9gBTKiVqprE