"De facto"

Latvian Television

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LTV's De Facto: MEPs Ušakovs and Ameriks face graft accusations
LTV's De Facto: MEPs Ušakovs and Ameriks face graft accusations
Member of the European Parliament and former long-standing Rīga mayor Nils Ušakovs (Harmony) announced in mid-March that he has the status of a suspect in a new case. Latvian Television's De Facto has found that Ušakovs and his colleague in Brussels, Andris Ameriks (Honor to Serve Rīga, and former deputy mayor of Rīga under Ušakovs) are both accused of requesting bribes, the broadcast reported on March 19.
Confusion, dissatisfaction among politicians about lobbying law
Confusion, dissatisfaction among politicians about lobbying law
Latvian Television's De Facto investigative show reported March 12 on the requirements of Latvia's recently-introduced 'lobbying law'. It is supposed to improve transparency in political lobbying of parliament, but according to De Facto, there is widespread ignorance and confusion about the law, even among those who are supposed to monitor it.
LTV's De Facto probes dairy industry crisis in Latvia
LTV's De Facto probes dairy industry crisis in Latvia
Latvian dairy farmers have been experiencing a crisis for several weeks. This week, the Ministry of Agriculture will present a plan to support the sector to the government, while the industry is planning protests, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on February 26.
LTV's De Facto: Plans to double army size might have been too ambitious
LTV's De Facto: Plans to double army size might have been too ambitious
Russia's invasion of Ukraine led Latvia to reassess its military capabilities. The government in September backed a Defense Ministry plan to double personnel in the structures of the National Armed Forces in five years. Whether it will be done, it is not known at this time, and the reintroduction of mandatory defense service (VAD) will not recruit as many as initially planned, the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television reported on February 19.
'Miracle cure' advertised at some medical establishments: LTV's De Facto
'Miracle cure' advertised at some medical establishments: LTV's De Facto
During the spread of various viruses, in several medical institutions, there was an advertisement for almost a miracle cure on the screens for two months, the “Xyntrus”, which protects against “all viruses”, reported Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto on February 5. The broadcast asked: How has it ended up at the medical establishments?
LTV's De Facto: Rimšēvičs suspected of faking Covid certificate
LTV's De Facto: Rimšēvičs suspected of faking Covid certificate
The former governor  of the Latvian Central Bank, Ilmārs Rimšēvičs, who is already on trial in two criminal cases, has allegedly faced a third indictment related to the illegal acquisition and use of a Covid-19 vaccination certificate, Latvian Television's investigative broadcast De Facto reported on February 5.
Latvia was not prepared to send new ambassador to Russia: LTV's De Facto
Latvia was not prepared to send new ambassador to Russia: LTV's De Facto
One of the reasons why Latvia announced the withdrawal of Ambassador Māris Riekstiņš from Moscow last week was the end of his term of office a few months later. Latvia was not ready to send a new ambassador to Russia while Russia's war in Ukraine continues, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on January 29.
EUR 200 million left over from state aid for heating: LTV's De Facto
EUR 200 million left over from state aid for heating: LTV's De Facto
The government decided this week to reallocate half a billion euros for energy support measures this year. Data on aid amounts last year show that so much money is not likely to be paid out. The De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television reported January 22 that several aid programs save money, for example, where the purchase of wood must be proven by checks.
LTV's De Facto: sanctioned millionaire Aven's helicopter auctioned off
LTV's De Facto: sanctioned millionaire Aven's helicopter auctioned off
An auction was held last autumn, the results of which are not public, but the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television has found that a helicopter belonging to Russian businessmen with Latvian citizenship Pyotr Aven and Yuri Shefler was sold off asa result of taxes owed. The current location of the aircraft cannot be determined, De Facto reported on January 22.
LTV's De Facto probes gas prices in relation to heating tariffs
LTV's De Facto probes gas prices in relation to heating tariffs
While the price of natural gas falls in Europe, heating bills for December arrive well higher than usual. Average temperatures in the last month of the year were lower than normal at that time, and thus bills increased by 50 per cent and more, according to the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television aired on January 15.
LTV's De Facto: MPs hesitant to stall top state officials' salary rise
LTV's De Facto: MPs hesitant to stall top state officials' salary rise
In October, the story of the expected rapid increase in wages for political positions drew a lot of attention. A public initiative was submitted about the freezing of top state officials' salaries. The initiative has been transferred to the government, which should respond more than four months later, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on January 8.
LTV's De Facto asks what ministers think of new government declaration
LTV's De Facto asks what ministers think of new government declaration
Last Wednesday, the second government of Krišjānis Kariņš (New Unity) was finally approved after two and a half months of negotiations. The main document listing the work to be done is the government declaration, with 328 points and numerous deviations. The 'De Facto' broadcast of Latvian Television asked the new ministers about the contents and thoughts on the document December 18.
LTV's De Facto probes failed cancer diagnostics center project
LTV's De Facto probes failed cancer diagnostics center project
Millions of euros from European funds and from Rīga Stradiņš University were invested in a "Nuclear Medical Center" which should have become a state-of-the-art producer of cancer diagnostic preparations. However, the money ran out way quicker than expected, and a criminal case for the deliberate cause of insolvency has been initiated, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on December 11.
LTV's De Facto: Theft from army warehouses went unnoticed for decade
LTV's De Facto: Theft from army warehouses went unnoticed for decade
The prosecutor's office has completed an investigation and in November handed the court a case for large-scale theft of various goods from army warehouses for nearly ten years. Latvian Television broadcast De Facto reported December 4 that there were also night-vision goggles among the missing items, which the Latvian army had been given by the U.S. What happened was major chaos in the storage and listing of army goods. 
LTV's De Facto: Army equipment checks insufficient
LTV's De Facto: Army equipment checks insufficient
A case of poor-quality, hazardous uniform fabric delivered to the Latvian National Armed Forces in 2016 is one of the most vivid examples of what can happen when there are no proper checks carried out on the delivered army equipment. Despite unfortunate occurrences, complete testing of goods delivered to the army is still not ongoing, the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television reported on November 27.
Russian internet giant may have violated Latvia's drone rules
Russian internet giant may have violated Latvia's drone rules
Virtual 3D tours of popular attractions and locations around the world are not unusual in the internet age. However, Russian internet giant Yandex has raised them to a new level, reports LTV's De Facto investigative show. 
LTV's De Facto: MP Rajevs has faced fraud charges from Defense Ministry
LTV's De Facto: MP Rajevs has faced fraud charges from Defense Ministry
Saeima deputy, United List politician and reserve colonel Igors Rajevs has been accused of defrauding money from the Ministry of Defense, but three years ago the criminal proceedings were terminated due to him repaying the sum, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on November 20.
Gambling companies find loopholes to save business: LTV's De Facto
Gambling companies find loopholes to save business: LTV's De Facto
In Rīga, a transitional period comes to a close, during which gambling companies had to close their halls at the historic center of Rīga. For a large part the authorization has already expired, some may still work for a few months. However, in four and five-star hotels, gambling may still be organized, and businesses are attempting to convert the gambling hall into a hotel, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on November 13.
Development of Skanste neighborhood at standstill for over a year
Development of Skanste neighborhood at standstill for over a year
In the meadows of the Skanste neighborhood of Rīga, in place of former community gardens, some playgrounds and a skateboarding park have been erected. All this could sink into mud between half-closed streets and sewer wells. This project was accepted by the previous city council and should have been completed some time ago, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on November 6.
Latvian financial sector still seen as "risky" by some
Latvian financial sector still seen as "risky" by some
The Latvian banking sector, which is trying to regain international trust after extensive reforms to the financial system, must now expect extra attention due to Russian sanctions and related issues, LTV investigative show De Facto reported November 6.
LTV's De Facto: Latvia might have to buy CO2 quotas for woodchips
LTV's De Facto: Latvia might have to buy CO2 quotas for woodchips
The already high heat tariffs could also grow in municipalities using woodchips. From next year, the European Union will have to buy CO2 emissions allowances, reported the De Facto program of LTV on November 6. For district heating companies, this could mean additional costs of millions of euros, which will ultimately fall on the shoulders of the population in the form of an increase in tariffs.
Latvian-Norwegian 'crabbing dispute' floats up again: LTV's De Facto
Latvian-Norwegian 'crabbing dispute' floats up again: LTV's De Facto
An old wound has split open in Latvian-Norwegian bilateral relations. As both countries attempt to end a thirty-year-old investment agreement, a dispute from several years ago about snow-crab fishing has emerged, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on October 30.
Switch to woodchip heating in Latvia slower than anticipated
Switch to woodchip heating in Latvia slower than anticipated
In March, the government eased the red tape on the construction of woodchip heating boiler houses and shifted €70 million of European Union (EU) fund money to that target, in order to allow district heating companies to reduce gas consumption. Economics Ministry hoped that most of the projects would be ready for this heating season, but no boiler houses have not been built yet, Latvian Television broadcast De Facto reported October 23.
LTV's De Facto: LMT could take on military industry development in Latvia
LTV's De Facto: LMT could take on military industry development in Latvia
In the middle of the summer, the government supported the Ministry of Defense (AM) 's proposal to form a joint venture with the telecoms company LMT owned partially by the Latvian State and partly by Sweden, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on October 9. The first attempt to address the Swedish side, however, was unsuccessful.
LTV's De Facto: Sanctioned Russian oligarch still holds Latvian citizenship
LTV's De Facto: Sanctioned Russian oligarch still holds Latvian citizenship
Though since April, amendments to the Citizenship Law have allowed for the waiving of Latvian citizenship to persons who have provided different kinds of support to aggressor states, Russian billionaire Pyotr Aven who has been included in the European Union sanctions lists since February, remains a Latvian citizen, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on September 25.