Latvia Weekly

In a longer than usual episode, Otto and Joe discuss major events of the week such as live queues for the covid vaccine, illegal alcohol deliveries, disappearing bus stop roofs, new party polling, and much more!

After a bit longer gap between episodes than usual due to a few side effects, Joe is back, vaccinated, and ready to discuss the biggest news stories of the last two weeks with Otto. Items they discuss include the reopening of stores, the limited return of 12th graders to school, the rise of fraudulent COVID tests, and more!

For the show's overall 150th episode, Joe turns the tables on co-host Otto Tabuns and frequent guest host Olevs Nikers and interviews them about their work in leading the Baltic Security Foundation.

Spring is back with all its traditions, including the dangerous burning of the previous year's grass throughout the country. Otto and Joe discuss this along with other important news updates from Latvia, including a new vaccine timetable, a sunnier economic forecast, another new political party, and much more!

Although Joe and Otto are unable to meet in person, they separately bring you takes on some of the biggest stories this week, such as the brief pause to use of the AstraZeneca vaccine, more pothole headaches, and the implications of US President Biden's words about his Russian counterpart. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audio...

In honor of St. Patrick's Day, Joe talked with Lithuanian-born Ruta Kapustaite about her experience directing the Rīga-based Irish Dance Studio "Ceili Rue" and some insights into Irish, Lithuanian, and Latvian culture. Intro music: https://freemusicarchive.org/music/Aislinn/Aislinn/03_-_Aislinn_-_Morrissons_jig_-_Leslies_march Morrisson's jig - Leslie's march by Aislinn is licensed under a Attribu...

Promises by the government of mass vaccinations by April look increasingly dubious after a series of major missteps by both private and public institutions that came to light during the week. Otto and Joe go on another socially distanced walk to discuss these stories and a number of others, including the buyout of another local brewery, a rejected proposal to legalize euthanasia, the entry of anot...

As Latvians watch in wonder as ice jams break up throughout the country's rivers, the government's vaccination actions come under heavy criticism by investigative journalists. Joe and Otto go on a socially distanced walk through Jelgava to discuss these stories and important happenings throughout Latvia this week, including the shutdown of a major international bakery in Riga, more corruption alle...

Our revived weekly interview series kicks off with a chat between Joe and our "story of the day" editor Cian Guckian, who has lived between Ireland and Jelgava over the past few years. Cian talks about his experience working as a freelance journalist for the Baltic Times, as well as adapting to life in Latvia. Opening music by Austra Apsīte

A dramatic, 15-year criminal process has resulted in a five-year prison sentence and massive property confiscations for oligarch Aivars Lembergs, but is this truly the end of the road for one of Latvia's most infamous political operators? Otto and Joe break down this court decision as well as other stories, including an increasingly worrying bird flu situation, more bumps on the road toward better...

Among other measure to fight the public health and economic effects of COVID-19, the Krišjānis Kariņš-led government has announced its support for a one-time 500 euro per child payment for families in Latvia. Otto and Joe discuss the implications along with other stories such as record low approval ratings for said government, a plan to vaccinate Latvia's seniors, a visit by Estonia's foreign mini...

As Latvia' s ministers attempt to lead by example and get vaccinated against COVID-19, Latvia' s poultry farmers have yet another deadly virus to worry about. Otto and Joe break down these stories and others on this week' s episode! Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission Closing theme song: Think Tank by Audionautix audionautix.com​ Creative Commons — Attribution 3.0...

The online manavakcina.lv portal is up and running without much of a hitch, but the end of the pandemic is still over the horizon, with the state of emergency being extended until the 6th of April. Otto and Joe break down what this all means, along with some other important domestic and international stories throughout the week. Theme song "Mēs esam ārzemnieki" by Aarzemnieki, used with permission...

Otto and Joe discuss the latest developments in Latvia related to COVID-19 and other stories such as a possible restoration of passenger rail to Bolderāja, a political crisis in Jēkabpils, scammers targeting DPD customers, a reduction in the amount of exams students must take, another development in the KPV LV soap opera, and more!

Otto and Joe discuss the news of the week including the first actions of the new health minister, a new party founded by populist deputy Aldis Gobzems, the latest COVID19 updates, and more! 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/...) Ar...

With Latvia Weekly' s 2020 person of the year Ilze Viņķele unceremoniously fired just days into the new year, it's not surprising that people aren't falling over themselves to become the next health minister as the pandemic enters its most critical stage yet. Otto and Joe discuss the fallout from Prime Minister Kariņš' momentous decision as well as other important stories from the week. Theme song...

Otto and Joe take their yearly look back and count down the top 10 stories of 2020 (9:43), the "people's choice" person of the year (1:05:17), and the official Latvia Weekly person of the year for 2020 (1:20:48).

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 (crea...

"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...

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 "M...

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 permis...

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 po...

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

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.

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...