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Public broadcasting of Latvia
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"De facto"

Latvian Television

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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.
LTV's De Facto lists accused and convicted election candidates
LTV's De Facto lists accused and convicted election candidates
The 13th Saeima had quite a few MPs accused, and also convicted, of crimes. Some of the accused members are also on the candidate lists for the 14th Saeima. Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto looked at the cases on September 19.
Latvia takes two days to alert public in crisis: LTV's De Facto
Latvia takes two days to alert public in crisis: LTV's De Facto
If all citizens were to be notified quickly in Latvia in the event of a crisis, it would take nearly two days, as proved recently by the alert exercise carried out by the Ministry of Defense. A quicker way has been worked on for eight years but not much has been achieved, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on September 18.
Ship stuck in Gulf of Rīga since March due to sanctions
Ship stuck in Gulf of Rīga since March due to sanctions
Since the beginning of March, a ship holding nearly 55 thousand tons of potassium chloride has been anchored at a stop belonging to the Rīga Free port, the Latvian Television broadcast De Facto reported September 11. The cargo of fertilizer belongs to a company subject to European Union sanctions.
Bolt fined €1.4 million for tax evasion: LTV's De Facto
Bolt fined €1.4 million for tax evasion: LTV's De Facto
The State Revenue Service (VID) has fined the “Bolt” taxi-on-demand company EUR 1.4 million for non-payment of corporate income tax (UIN). This is the second time the Latvian authority penalizes the Estonian unicorn for tax evasion in Latvia, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on September 11.
LTV's De Facto examines sanction breaches with Russia and Belarus
LTV's De Facto examines sanction breaches with Russia and Belarus
Entrepreneurs have found ways to circumvent the sanctions imposed on Russia and Belarus. Most of the reports received by the Financial Intelligence Unit of Latvia (FID) involve moving goods across the border. Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on August 29 that entrepreneurs both cheat on commodity codes and indicate intermediary countries in transactions.
Smaller political parties find various ways to meet Latvian election rules
Smaller political parties find various ways to meet Latvian election rules
Political parties in Latvia are in campaign mode in the lead-up to October's parliamentary elections, but LTV's De Facto investigative show suggested on August 21 that some of the newer and smaller contenders have found imaginative ways of meeting the necessary criteria to field candidates.
LTV's De Facto probes Russian Gazprom's influence on Latvian gas companies
LTV's De Facto probes Russian Gazprom's influence on Latvian gas companies
This summer, changes to the law took effect, depriving Russian and Belarusian companies of voting rights in Latvian companies. This prohibition also applies to “Latvijas Gāze” (LG), the subsidiary of which is responsible for the distribution of gas in Latvia. According to Latvian Television's investigative broadcast De Facto, the Russian company Gazprom has nevertheless participated in recent meetings of LG shareholders.
LTV's De Facto looks at gas supply situation for next winter
LTV's De Facto looks at gas supply situation for next winter
In anticipation of the next heating season, households have the least worry about gas supply. They will have enough of what is already in Latvia, albeit at a much higher price than in the previous heating season. But will there be enough gas for all other consumers, like enterprises? Latvian Television's De Facto, aired on June 19, aimed to probe the issue.
LTV's De Facto examines who will get aid in new heating season
LTV's De Facto examines who will get aid in new heating season
In the next heating season, which is forecast to be tough, support for all electricity users, will no longer apply. Instead, a targeted support system should be in place. However, according to Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast of June 5, the State does not really know who the people most in need are, and a system must be prepared in less than three months.
LTV's De Facto looks at future alcoholism prevention in Latvia
LTV's De Facto looks at future alcoholism prevention in Latvia
Preliminary figures show that in 2021, 725 people died from illnesses directly related to alcohol consumption, which is 200 more than in 2020 and nearly 100 more than in 2018 and 2019, the De Facto program of Latvian Television reported May 22. The broadcast looked at what is being planned for the future to prevent such trends.
LTV's De Facto compares May 9 in Rīga and Daugavpils
LTV's De Facto compares May 9 in Rīga and Daugavpils
Though the celebration of the so-called 'Victory Day' of the Soviet Union over Nazi Germany were officially banned this year, various events in Rīga made it rather look like a week-long celebration. In Daugavpils, where the Russian-speaking population is in the majority, the day passed more peacefully, Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast aired May 15 reported.
LTV's De Facto looks at Latvian military mobility funding
LTV's De Facto looks at Latvian military mobility funding
The issue of improving military mobility has become topical throughout Europe, particularly in the vicinity of Russia. Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto, aired May 8, examined the strengths and weaknesses around the issue in Latvia, as well as the potential funding for improvements.
LTV's De Facto examines long lines for passports in Latvia
LTV's De Facto examines long lines for passports in Latvia
The work of the Citizenship and Migration Affairs Office (PMLP) has been disrupted for a long time. The line for a passport or ID card is now months long. Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast aired on May 1 explored what is being done about the matter. 
LTV's De Facto looks at house insulation projects in Latvia
LTV's De Facto looks at house insulation projects in Latvia
Despite the fact that energy saving is becoming more and more topical, dozens of apartment building insulation projects with co-financing from European Union (EU) funds have stopped or are about to stop, Latvian Television's De Facto broadcast reported April 24. 
Companies in Latvia rush to conceal affiliations with Russia
Companies in Latvia rush to conceal affiliations with Russia
A number of companies registered in Latvia have rushed to get rid of the shadow of Russia over the last two months, replacing the officials and owners associated with it, reports the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television aired April 24.
LTV's De Facto looks at possible dismantling of 'Victory' monument
LTV's De Facto looks at possible dismantling of 'Victory' monument
The issue of the Victory monument where the controversial May 9 celebration takes place each year has been discussed for years in the society and among politicians. Now, with the war in Ukraine, the supporters of the dismantling of the monument are urging less talk and more action, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on April 10.
Latvia mulls options for its own LNG terminal
Latvia mulls options for its own LNG terminal
Investors from the United States and the Middle East are among at least four groups expressing an interest in construction of a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) terminal in Latvia, Latvian Television's De Facto investigative show reported March 27. 
LTV's De Facto looks at hospital reorganization in Omicron wave
LTV's De Facto looks at hospital reorganization in Omicron wave
There are over a thousand Covid-19 patients in Latvian hospitals, but only around half of them have Covid-19 as the primary diagnosis. Hospitals say that even if the patients are not hospitalized primarily due to Covid, it still is an additional burden, Latvian Television's De Facto reported February 13.
LTV's De Facto attempts to analyze rhetoric in Ukraine tensions
LTV's De Facto attempts to analyze rhetoric in Ukraine tensions
The tensions on the border of Russia and Ukraine have resulted in a lot of diplomatic talks and promises of sanctions from NATO and the US. The rhetoric of different countries' leaders varies. Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto, aired February 13, addressed experts to analyze the rhetoric.