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Public broadcasting of Latvia
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"De facto"

Latvian Television

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Estonia's regional drone defense plan still to be worked out
Estonia's regional drone defense plan still to be worked out
A plan floated by Estonia to defend the eastern border of the European Union from possible incursions by drones from Russia and Belarus still has a long way to go before becoming a reality, reported Latvian Television's 'De Facto' investigative show June 16.
Latvia has until June 30 to decide if Rail Baltica can go through Rīga
Latvia has until June 30 to decide if Rail Baltica can go through Rīga
The Rail Baltica project has gone off the tracks rapidly over the past two weeks with quadrupled costs coming to light and authorities and politicians alike scratching their heads on where it all went wrong. Despite uncertainty that the project can be done at all, the Latvian government has strictly decided to include Rīga in the first stage of the project, and the Transport Ministry will soon have to report on whether this is possible, Latvian Television's De Facto reported June 16.
Andrejsala project entices investors with residence permits
Andrejsala project entices investors with residence permits
A week ago, a vision for the development of Rīga's Andrejsala district was presented, for which an Arab investor is ready to give money, and a company linked to the families of the former Prime Minister Andris Šķēle and Saeima deputy Ainārs Šlesers is ready to give land. Foreigners are being offered the chance to obtain a residence permit in Latvia and the European Union in exchange for a €250,000 investment, reports Latvian Television's De Facto on June 2.
Big care home construction project at risk of failing
Big care home construction project at risk of failing
The aging population and the need to provide long-term social care for the retired leave a large gap in local government budgets. In some places, almost half of the funding for the whole year has already been spent in the first quarter. A Ministry of Welfare project to build 54 new buildings with support from the European Recovery Mechanism is now in danger of failing, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on June 2.
Latvia mulls tightening security after recent TV propaganda hacks
Latvia mulls tightening security after recent TV propaganda hacks
Recent hacking attacks on telecom operators and TV channels are prompting the Latvian parliament to consider tightening security to prevent Russian propaganda from penetrating our TV screens. Specific proposals have not yet been drawn up, reports Latvian Television's De Facto on May 19.
Houses keep appearing in flood-prone area despite risks
Houses keep appearing in flood-prone area despite risks
Despite objections from the State Environmental Service, the Ropaži Municipality Council continues to adopt decisions on construction around Lake Mašēnu in Garkalne municipality, where there are floodplains or flood risks. The Environmental Service opposes these plans, Latvian Television's "De Facto" reported on May 12.
Much unclear about future Sēlija military base
Much unclear about future Sēlija military base
Two years ago, Latvia decided to build a new military training ground in Sēlija. To speed up the process, the Saeima passed a special law a year ago, but from the looks of things, they are not going very fast, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on May 12.
Medical ethics legislation comes to the foreground again in Latvia
Medical ethics legislation comes to the foreground again in Latvia
With a second move after more than a year of pause, the Health Inspectorate will try to move changes to laws related to patient care violations and complaint assessment. However, the Ministry of Health is reluctant to raise the issue. Previously, the Ministry planned to introduce the relevant changes in early 2023, reports Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast.
Head of Latvian defense logistics center suspended
Head of Latvian defense logistics center suspended
A week ago, military police detained Ervīns Kopeika, head of the State Center for Defense Logistics and Procurement  (VALIC). The Ministry of Defense did not publicize the event, but the website of the center shows that Brigadier General Kopeika is no longer in charge of the institution, which is subordinate to the Defense Ministry. The investigation was opened under the article on falsification of service, reports Latvian Television's "De facto" on May 5.
More reports come regarding harassment at music academy
More reports come regarding harassment at music academy
In the last days of March, the Ombudsman, the State Police and the Council of the Jāzeps Vītols Music Academy (JVLMA) received another application regarding the currently suspended lecturer Māris Kupčs. The application has been signed by 28 current and former students and faculty members of the Academy and is accompanied by 11 specific signed testimonies, Latvian Television's De Facto" reported.
Occupation Museum's arson may have been orchestrated from prison
Occupation Museum's arson may have been orchestrated from prison
The case of the throwing of incendiary material into the Latvian Occupation Museum has led investigators to the Daugavgrīva Prison in Daugavpils. The Latvian Television (LTV) program De Facto reported on April 28 that the attack on the museum could have been organized directly from the prison.
Recovery of wasted funds to be considered in 'Air Kariņš' case
Recovery of wasted funds to be considered in 'Air Kariņš' case
Last week, a lengthy audit of former Prime Minister Krišjānis Kariņš' use of special flights during his time as PM was published. The auditor concluded that hundreds of thousands of euros were both unlawfully and uneconomically used. The possibility to get the money back will be assessed in criminal proceedings, Latvian Television's De Facto reported April 14.
Civil protection preparedness still lukewarm in Latvia
Civil protection preparedness still lukewarm in Latvia
Hope for the best but expect the worst – this was the motto with which Latvian municipalities were asked to update their civil protection plans in the event of a military threat following Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Some have still not done so, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on April 14.
University ethics codes probed by LTV
University ethics codes probed by LTV
After the ethics scandal at the Jāzeps Vītols Latvian Academy of Music, questions arose about higher education ethics in general. The codes of ethics of the largest state-owned universities most often contain general requirements to observe "good behavior" or "generally accepted norms of behavior", according to Latvian Television's De Facto.
Year passes since murder in Jēkabpils; authorities work on prevention
Year passes since murder in Jēkabpils; authorities work on prevention
This month will mark one year since the brutal murder when Leons Rusiņš killed his ex-wife in front of their child and the wife's mother. It was not only the atrocity that shocked the public but also the failure of law enforcement authorities to prevent it – they knew that Rusiņš had been stalking the woman. Latvian Television's De Facto looked at what has changed in prevention work and penalties for stalkers over the year.
Holes in Latvia's import ban from Russia
Holes in Latvia's import ban from Russia
In February, the Saeima decided to ban the import of Russian and Belarusian agricultural and animal feed products into Latvia. The ban was intended only for products consumed in Latvia, as Latvia does not have the right to stop transit. Latvian Television's De Facto, aired April 8, found out that some loopholes were deliberately left in the national sanctions.
What to do about Kremlin supporters in Latvia?
What to do about Kremlin supporters in Latvia?
Less than a thousand of the 40,000 Russian citizens living in Latvia who are eligible to vote turned out for the so-called "elections" of the Russian President, which took place in Riga just a week ago. A large number did not hide their support for Putin. Latvian Television's "De facto" broadcast, aired March 24, tried to find out what has been done to reduce the ranks of war supporters in Latvia.
Rail Baltica was not built in a day, and unlikely in six years
Rail Baltica was not built in a day, and unlikely in six years
By dividing the construction of Rail Baltica into stages, the total cost could be reduced, according to the Transport Ministry. However, even if it manages to attract all the hoped-for European money, there is still no answer on how to finance the missing part, which is about three billion euros by 2030, reports the Latvian Televizija (LTV) broadcast De Facto on March 24.
LTV looks at companies transporting manganese ore through Latvia
LTV looks at companies transporting manganese ore through Latvia
While politicians are still talking about possible sanctions on manganese ore, Russia's own decision to nationalize the largest recipient of the ore - the Chelyabinsk Electrometallurgical Plant - has had a tangible effect on the movement of these cargoes through Latvia. Latvian companies now have problems handling cargo related to this plant due to the sanctions imposed against Russia, concludes Latvian Television's "De facto" aired March 24.
Former Putin propagandist prefers not to return to Russia
Former Putin propagandist prefers not to return to Russia
A former leading employee of the Russian propaganda channel Sputnik, Marat Kasem (Marats Kasems in Latvian), has decided not to return to Russia after his release from detention, reported LTV's De Facto investigative show March 17. 
LMT leaves Latvian defense industry union
LMT leaves Latvian defense industry union
One of the founders and most influential members of the Latvian Security and Defense Industries Federation (LDAIF), the state-owned company Latvijas Mobilais Telefons (LMT), has quit the federation after expressing dissatisfaction with its management, reports the Latvian Television broadcast De Facto on March 18.
Latvia plans improvements to joint video surveillance system
Latvia plans improvements to joint video surveillance system
Following the attack on the Museum of the Occupation, plans are underway to speed up the establishment of a comprehensive video surveillance network throughout Latvia. The first step is to identify what is already there and what can be used. Interior Minister Rihards Kozlovskis (New Unity) has been tasked to do this within a month, reports Latvian Television's "De Facto" on March 10.
'Next!' – medical politician doubles up on parliamentary duties
'Next!' – medical politician doubles up on parliamentary duties
A doctor's profession is one of the few that members of the Saeima can combine with a political position. In this regard, member of parliament and medical doctor Juris Jakovins (Greens and Farmers Union) has raised the combination of workloads to a new level. 
Latvian plywood producer objects to publishing company owner identity
Latvian plywood producer objects to publishing company owner identity
A case has been brought before the Constitutional Court that may affect Latvia's progress towards transparency in the business environment in recent years. By July 1 this year all joint stock companies must disclose their owners to the Enterprise Registry, which publishes the shareholder lists on its information portal. However, several shareholders of "Latvijas finieris" have appealed to the Constitutional Court, Latvian Television's De Facto reported March 3.
Ventspils sells forest with protected habitats for felling
Ventspils sells forest with protected habitats for felling
Ventspils Municipality Council decided not long before the new year to sell a forest in Pope civil parish Dumbrāji for felling despite the fact that specially protected species are located here, as well as habitats of European Union importance, reports the Latvian Television broadcast De Facto on March 3.
Latvia puts too much work into sending out penalties: LTV's De Facto
Latvia puts too much work into sending out penalties: LTV's De Facto
Although speed cameras working on roads in Latvia have been verified as accurate, both the Road Traffic Safety Directorate (CSDD) and the State Police are involved in the preparation of violation penalty protocols. Efforts are being made to ensure as little human involvement as possible, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on February 25.
Bidder excluded from power grid procurement over security concerns
Bidder excluded from power grid procurement over security concerns
The Latvian electricity transmission provider High Voltage Network (Augstsprieguma tīkls, AST) signed a €77 million contract with Rolls-Royce Solutions last week to supply high-capacity battery systems. Another bidder, meanwhile, was excluded from the procurement over security concerns, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on February 18.
Latvian Russian Union's leaders summoned by security service
Latvian Russian Union's leaders summoned by security service
In connection with the public information about possible contacts of the leader of the Latvian Russian Union and current MEP Tatjana Ždanoka with Russian special services, both Ždanoka herself and the party co-chairman Miroslavs Mitrofanovs went to a conversation with the State Security Service (VDD) last week, reported Latvian Television's De Facto on February 12.
Poor EU funding management leads to plan revisions in Latvia
Poor EU funding management leads to plan revisions in Latvia
Misfortunes in the previous European Union funding period, including the delayed delivery of new trains and other frictions, have led to a revision of funds and plans to possibly abandon some transport development projects, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on Sunday, February 4. 
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