LW #87: A Small COVID Bump and News From July 7th - 14th, 2020

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.

2 Helmi 201939min

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

26 Tammi 201949min

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

19 Tammi 201948min

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

13 Tammi 201952min

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

6 Tammi 20191h 28min

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

22 Joulu 201849min

Merry Christmas from Latvia Weekly! Join regular host Joe Horgan and special guest hosts Mārtiņš Enģelis, editor of the "Capital R" blog and Nikita Andreev, lecturer at the University of Latvia Faculty of Theology, as they discuss the peculiarities of Christmas in Latvia and how traditions differ among the country's subcultures and from Christmas elsewhere in the world. Topics include grey peas, the Home Alone series, fortune telling, and a lot more! Cozy in by the fireplace and settle in for a festive discussion about holidays.

21 Joulu 201855min

Otto Tabuns is back from his trip to America to help co-host Joe Horgan unravel an international web of bribery and corruption involving Rīga's public transit authority and firms in Slovakia and the Czech Republic. Aside from our regular "This Week in Latvian History" and "Otto-correct" segments, other topics include a possible breakthrough in the government building talks, major happenings throughout Europe, and snow here in southern Latvia. It's finally beginning to look a lot like Christmas! 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

16 Joulu 201846min