Latvia Weekly

Otto and Joe are back at Rīgas Centrālā stacija (Riga Central Station) to discuss the week’s major happenings such as Rīga City Council’s controversial €3.8 million plan to renovate Uzvaras parks, a potential teacher’s strike, plans to combine Latvia’s municipalities, abandoned health reforms, hidden tobacco, and much more! Segments include “Deal or No Deal,” “This Week in Latvian History,” sports, weather, “This Week in the Future,” and a surprise pop quiz!

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

Quiz theme song:

Firebrand by Kevin MacLeod is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution license (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/...)

Source: http://incompetech.com/music/royalty-...

Artist: http://incompetech.com/

Weather theme:

Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja

Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

Otto and Joe are live from Rīga Central Station for a train-themed episode, with major stories about new electric trains and the Rail Baltica project along with some developments in the European parliamentary and Latvian presidential races, clarifications about the status of British citizens in Latvia post-Brexit, major musical achievements, 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

Although the ice sculptures might have melted at the international festival in Jelgava this weekend, support for Rīga's Mayor Nils Ušakovs among his voter base certainly hasn't, with thousands appearing at a rally in Rīga on Saturday to show their support for the embattled leader. Otto and Joe discuss the implications of the rally along with other key stories that include the increasingly messy divorce of Aldis Gobzems and the KPV LV party, millions misspent on public transit in Rīga, a funding threat to public media, and much more! Segments include "This week in sports," "Deal or no deal," and "this week in Latvian history," and a look at international stories that could affect things here 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

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

The coalition talks may be over (for now), but the Latvian political drama has far from finished with Mayor of Rīga Nils Ušakovs' home and office being searched, JKP deputy Juris Jurašs losing his parliamentary immunity despite harsh words from party boss Jānis Bordāns, and the blocking of a major Russian state-sponsored TV channel. Aside from other major domestic and international stories, segments include sports, this week in Latvian history, and our weekly preview. Don't miss this action-packed edition of Latvia Weekly!

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: https://youtu.be/9gBTKiVqprE

Join Otto as he interviews current Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs as well as former Minister of Culture and current National Library of Latvia Support Foundation director Karina Pētersone about the road to international recognition of Latvian independence as well as the new government's foreign policy goals, the status of British citizens after Brexit, and recommended reading for expats who want to get more acquainted with Latvian culture.

By gosh, they did it, they finally did it! Otto and Joe mark the end of the nearly 4-month formation process for the new government by dicussing the new cabinet and some of their upcoming challenges, with other domestic stories including even more drama in KPV LV, updates on the Rīgas Satiksme scandal, and some shake-ups in Latvian media. Other segments include international stories, "Deal or No Deal," and "this week in Latvian history."

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 and Joe discuss major stories both here in Latvia and elsewhere, including more drama in the KPV LV party, an attempt to nationalize Latvia's ports, the government's attempts to predict and prepare for the outcome of Brexit, and more snow! Segments include the "Otto-correct" fact check, "Deal or No Deal," and "This Week in Latvian History."

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

Despite a relatively slow news week, Otto and Joe still have plenty to discuss with major developments in the coalition talks as well as some potentially influential international stories worth keeping an eye on. They also reflect on the art of repectful Facebook discussions and introduce a new "Deal or No Deal" and "this coming week" segments to close things up.

(Note: There was a problem with one of the microphones, so Joe apologizes for some less-than-perfect sound quality in certain spots)

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 and Joe are back from a New Year break with a giant-sized Latvia Weekly episode looking back on not only what happened over the previous week, but the biggest stories of the previous year as well. We've got updates on the coalition talks, the top 10 stories of 2018, and the 2018 Latvia Weekly "person of the year" choices from both listeners and from the blog/podcast staff. Settle in for one last trip down 2018 lane as we get ready for another exciting year here 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

Join Otto and Joe in snowy Jelgava as they discuss major developments in the Rīga satiksme bribery case, more roadblocks in the coalition talks, and the publication of the KGB archives along with "This Week in Latvian History," major international stories, 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