Thursday, May 2

Name day: Sigmunds, Zigismunds, Zigmunds

Public broadcasting of Latvia
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"De facto"

Latvian Television

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Police will still have to wait for wage increases: LTV's De Facto
Police will still have to wait for wage increases: LTV's De Facto
Although next year's state budget foresees an increase in salaries of the State Police, it is insufficient to solve the enormous problems, the industry estimates. Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity) promises more tangible financial support from 2025, Latvian Television's De Facto reported December 10.
Sharp debate continues on VAT rate on produce: LTV's De Facto
Sharp debate continues on VAT rate on produce: LTV's De Facto
One of the most controversial issues in next year's state budget discussions is the issue of value-added tax (VAT) on vegetables, fruits, and berries grown in Latvia, which at the end of November resulted in an industry request to resign Finance Minister Arvils Aseradens, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on December 4..
De Facto questions former PM Kariņš' private jet usage
De Facto questions former PM Kariņš' private jet usage
Former Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) used private jets for 18 foreign trips in the past three years. Opposition deputies recently questioned the justification of this, and Latvian Television's De Facto also attempted to have a look at the matter on November 26.
Skanste park renewal project in catastrophic state: LTV's De Facto
Skanste park renewal project in catastrophic state: LTV's De Facto
Rīga City Council has already commissioned another expert examination so that it can prepare a legal justification and turn to the court for several million euro losses in the implementation of the Skanste district revitalization project, the Latvian Television broadcast De Facto reported on Sunday. Rough estimates suggest the loss could be at least three million euros.
LTV's De Facto looks at planned state aid in potential energy crisis
LTV's De Facto looks at planned state aid in potential energy crisis
During the last heating season, state aid was distributed to all. Now the Saeima has finally approved a law providing targeted support for lower-income households, but it does not really provide answers to what this support will be, Latvian Television's De Facto reported Sunday.
Rail Baltica project scrambles to stay on track
Rail Baltica project scrambles to stay on track
The Rail Baltica railway project will cost significantly more than originally planned – around 8 billion euros rather than the 5.8 billion euros officially announced as the cost, reports Latvian Television's De Facto investigative show.
LTV's De Facto looks at Latvia's plan to start state military production
LTV's De Facto looks at Latvia's plan to start state military production
Within the next two weeks, the issue of creating a state-owned company to develop a military manufacturing facility could come to the government for consideration. This is necessary to start a tender for co-financing of the European Commission (EC) to develop military production, reports Latvian Television's De Facto aired on November 12.
LTV's De Facto: Latvia's port reform at a standstill
LTV's De Facto: Latvia's port reform at a standstill
Port management reform will not be completed this year. The decision taken by the previous Saeima to establish state companies instead of private Rīga and Ventspils Freeport offices has lost political support, and therefore decisions to complete the reform have become stuck in the Cabinet, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported November 5.
Rīga hospital construction watched by corruption cops: LTV's De Facto
Rīga hospital construction watched by corruption cops: LTV's De Facto
Last week it became known that the Corruption Prevention and Combating Bureau is investigating some construction work at Rīga East Clinical University Hospital (RAKUS). As the Latvian Television's De Facto found out, these works are part of a major project financed by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), De Facto reported November 5.
LTV's De Facto looks at former central bank head's alleged fake vaccination case
LTV's De Facto looks at former central bank head's alleged fake vaccination case
Former Bank of Latvia President Ilmārs Rimšēvičs has just stood trial in his third criminal case – this time he is accused of buying a Covid-19 vaccination certificate and using the fake document during three trips. Rimšēvičs does not admit his guilt and says he has been vaccinated, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on October 29.
Latvia seeks solutions to rapidly absorb EU funds: LTV's De Facto
Latvia seeks solutions to rapidly absorb EU funds: LTV's De Facto
Fears that several tens of millions of euros of European Union (EU) funds could be lost have just been faced by Stradiņš Hospital, whereas Cohesion Fund money not spent on transport projects has been reallocated to cover last winter's heating bills. Rapid maneuvers and redistribution of money are ongoing due to the fact that EU funds of the previous period must be invested by December 31 this year, Latvian Television's De Facto reports October 15. 
LTV's De Facto: Belarusian business in Latvia under security scrutiny
LTV's De Facto: Belarusian business in Latvia under security scrutiny
The State Security Service (VDD) suspects a Belarusian businessman in Latvia of breaching European Union sanctions. He entered Latvia with the support of the Investment and Development Agency of Latvia (LIAA) following Belarus opposition protests in 2020. Latvian Television's De Facto reports on October 8 that Igor Medved's shareholdings have now been arrested by the service so they can be seized in the future if necessary. 
LTV's De Facto: plant product imports from Russia have tripled in Latvia
LTV's De Facto: plant product imports from Russia have tripled in Latvia
Although Latvia currently imports considerably fewer goods from Russia than before the invasion of Ukraine, there are product categories that also bring hundreds of millions of euros of income to the Russian economy. It is cattle feed, especially maize, oil cake from sunflower seeds, and other agricultural products, Latvian Television's De Facto reported October 1.
Revisions planned in state-compensated medicines: LTV's De Facto
Revisions planned in state-compensated medicines: LTV's De Facto
The Ministry of Health has committed to improving the system of reimbursable medicinal products together with doctors and experts of the World Health Organization, as well as to make the determination of criteria for prescribing medicinal products more transparent, especially if funding is limited, reports the Latvian Television broadcast De Facto on October 1.
LTV's De Facto looks at border fence-building acceleration plans
LTV's De Facto looks at border fence-building acceleration plans
One point of the new government declaration is a commitment to complete the construction of the fence on the border with Belarus by the end of this year. If this step were not taken, the process would extend into 2025, reports Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast on September 17.
LTV's 'De Facto' reports new information from Bunkus murder case
LTV's 'De Facto' reports new information from Bunkus murder case
The Rīga City Court is currently trying the alleged instigators of the notorious murder of insolvency administrator Mārtiņš Bunkus. Latvian Television's De Facto investigative show reported fresh details from the case September 10.
LTV's De Facto looks at exports jumps to Central Asia
LTV's De Facto looks at exports jumps to Central Asia
While exports of sanctioned goods to Russia are shrinking, volumes have grown rapidly to countries that continue to trade with Russia. This has raised concerns about the circumvention of sanctions. Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto attempted to look into the issue on September 3.
Months-long wait for healthcare grows longer: LTV's De Facto
Months-long wait for healthcare grows longer: LTV's De Facto
To get an appointment with a specialist doctor, one often has to wait several months. At present, the longest lines are for rehabilitation, gastroenterologists, endocrinologists, and ultrasonography. In many health care facilities, everything is booked until the end of the year, reports the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television, aired on August 27.
Train delays could result in EU money loss: LTV's De Facto
Train delays could result in EU money loss: LTV's De Facto
This week, Škoda Group representatives came to report on the progress of the new passenger train project in Riga. The delivery schedule is already delayed by more than half a year, and Latvia will lose co-financing of the EU if the trains will not be delivered on time, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on August 20.
Five-way coalition extension talks unsuccessful: LTV's De Facto
Five-way coalition extension talks unsuccessful: LTV's De Facto
The talks of possibly extending the coalition, initiated by the New Unity party and its leader PM Krišjānis Kariņš, started immediately after the presidential elections. Last week Kariņš called for a five-way discussion between the existing coalition and the potential new additions from the opposition, but some snubbed the invitation, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on June 18.
LTV's De Facto looks at 'Baltic anti-fascist' case
LTV's De Facto looks at 'Baltic anti-fascist' case
After Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year, the Telegram communication app group “Baltic antifascists” was created. An investigation into participation in a criminal organization has been launched against at least five persons associated with the group. Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto, aired June 18, took a closer look at the group.
Heated debate about potential smoking products ban: LTV's De Facto
Heated debate about potential smoking products ban: LTV's De Facto
Few subjects considered in the parliament gain so much attention from lobbying organizations as changes in smoking restrictions. MPs have received a pile of objections from various associations, particularly regarding the plan to ban flavors in electronic cigarettes, the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television reported on June 11.
LTV's De Facto: exceptions considered in state company donation ban
LTV's De Facto: exceptions considered in state company donation ban
State JSC Latvenergo has expressed a wish to donate more than half a million euros to the government to be transferred to various projects. This has caused some debate since the government recently decided that such donation practices should be stopped, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on June 11.
E-health upgrade could lead to same errors: LTV's De Facto
E-health upgrade could lead to same errors: LTV's De Facto
Instead of the much-criticized e-health, a new system to manage healthcare records is to be put in place over the following years. However, the initial finance and management model already highlights the risk of repeating the mistakes made with e-health, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on May 28.
De Facto: Intrigue aplenty as Presidential vote looms
De Facto: Intrigue aplenty as Presidential vote looms
The theoretical talk about the impact of the upcoming presidential election on the composition of the coalition became much more concrete this week, with parties eyeing each other up and wondering what their true intentions are, reported LTV's 'De Facto' May 21. 
Former KGB officer on trial for incitement: LTV's De Facto
Former KGB officer on trial for incitement: LTV's De Facto
Last week, court proceedings started for Andris Strautmanis, former official of the Soviet-time Committee for State Security (KGB) and Latvian Security Police. He was detained two years ago in the espionage case of politician Jānis Ādamsons, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on May 22.