Latvia Weekly

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

30 Des 20201h 10min

"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

24 Des 202055min

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

17 Des 20201h 10min

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

9 Des 20201h 15min

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

1 Des 202053min

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

24 Nov 202048min

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.

23 Nov 20201h 11min

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

16 Nov 20201h 27min