Latvia Weekly

"Brāzma" (gust) is the word of the week, with strong winds blowing throughout most of Latvia as Otto and Joe discuss all of the latest news. Topics include high hopes for Jelgava in keeping its "city" status, the kickoff of grass fire season, more headaches from the disgraced PNB Bank, and, of course, the latest COVID-19 updates.

16 Apr 20201h 13min

Joe and Otto are joined by two very special international guests to celebrate not only "Lieldienas," but also the 75th episode of the podcast! Listen and watch as they discuss the latest virus related and non-virus related stories from the previous week in Latvia. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

9 Apr 20201h 13min

Otto and Joe are joined by the legendary Latvian media personality Kārlis Streips, and discuss the latest COVID-19 measures and implications, as well as the cancellation of some Rīgas satiksme discounts, the confirmation of a new economics minister, a hefty fine for Aldis Gobzems, a real shooting star, and much more! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

2 Apr 20201h 16min

Robeža (border) is the Latvian word of the week, with the year finally having crossed the border into Spring and borders being placed on regular services and personal contact due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Otto and Joe discuss the latest virus-related updates, including the infection of KPV LV Saeima deputy Artuss Kaimiņš and new limits being placed on shops, as well as other stories such as the series finale to the University of Latvia rector election soap opera, a WhatsApp fake news scandal, good news for Latvian food producers, and a sobering look at one of the most tragic events in Latvian history. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: https://backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smooth-jazz-am

26 Mars 20201h 14min

The world might seem as if it has stopped, but the news certainly hasn't! Attālināt ("to distance") is the word of the week as Kris Akenfelds joins Otto and Joe from Cambodia to discuss the pros and cons of government responses to COVID-19 and a few other non virus-related stories.

17 Mars 20201h 19min

Although the COVID-19 coronavirus disease is dominating the news cycle throughout the world, Otto and Joe break down a bit of positive news as well such as a potential breakthrough in Rail Baltica bickering, half a million Euro seized under the Magnitsky Act, funding for renovating landmarks and more!

10 Mars 202054min

"Nomazgāt" (wash) is the Latvian word of the week now that washing your hands is more important than ever with the COVID-19 novel coronavirus making its first confirmed appearance in Latvia. Otto and Joe discuss the implications of this story along with the first major Rīga city council election polling results, a bungled attempt at international espionage, and what looks like closure to the Kristīne Misāne affair. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am

4 Mars 202059min

Izglītība (education) is our word of the week, as three of Joe's media students join him to discuss the news of the week with Otto hard at work away in Israel. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Weather theme: Smooth Jazz (am) by Backing Track Ninja Source: backingtrackninja.bandcamp.com/track/smo…h-jazz-am

25 Feb 202056min