Ella Semjonova

LTV žurnāliste

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Author's articles
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.
Around 1,000 electric cars bought with state aid
Around 1,000 electric cars bought with state aid
For nearly a year and a half, individuals have been granted State aid to purchase an electric vehicle or an externally charged hybrid vehicle. Around a thousand people have made use of this offer, Latvian Television reported on August 3.
Latvia continues enhanced monitoring of Belarus border
Latvia continues enhanced monitoring of Belarus border
The possible location of the Russian mercenary group Wagner in Belarus raises many questions and also forces Latvia to keep an eye on the border, the President of Latvia and the head of the National Security Council, Egils Levits, told Latvian Television on July 4.
New state accounting system used by just a handful of businesses
New state accounting system used by just a handful of businesses
Last October, the State introduced a new service for micro-enterprise taxpayers, an account for commercial activity revenues. This allows all obligations with the country to be sorted automatically without additional human control. In nine months, only 114 customers have opened an account, Latvian Television reported June 29.
School principals to ask Saeima to reconsider mandatory vaccination
School principals to ask Saeima to reconsider mandatory vaccination
Schools in Latvia are still unsure whether work will take place onsite or online when they return to work in September. Meanwhile, the Latvian Association of Education Leaders (LIVAO) will try to convince Saeima to postpone the requirement for mandatory vaccination against Covid-19 for teachers, the association's chair Rūdolfs Kalvāns told Latvian Radio July 23.
Latvia's battle against espionage
Latvia's battle against espionage
In what is likely the most serious case of espionage to date, a national firearms system manager may have been disclosing Latvian secrets to Russia for six years. While the accused does not plead guilty, the prosecutor estimates significant harm done to the state. This is, however, only the third open case of espionage in Latvia. In this respect, it falls behind Estonia and Lithuania, reports Ella Semjonova on LSM's Latvian service on June 18.
Politics experts weigh in on Ušakovs' Brussels bid
Politics experts weigh in on Ušakovs' Brussels bid
The move by Rīga mayor Nils Ušakovs' (Harmony) and former vice-mayor Andris Ameriks (Honor to Serve Rīga) to partake in the European Parliament elections amounts to an elegant stratagem, political scientist and professor at the University of Latvia Faculty of Social Sciences Iveta Reinholde told Latvian Radio February 27.
Kaimiņš retains leading position at KPV LV
Kaimiņš retains leading position at KPV LV
Artuss Kaimiņš, a leading figure in the KPV LV party, has survived a no-confidence motion within the party and is to resume as the deputy head of the party group in parliament, reports LTV and Latvian Radio January 16.
People named in KGB archives offer explanation
People named in KGB archives offer explanation
Not many people are willing to tell the public how their name has ended up in the recently-published KGB document trove, colloquially called the Cheka bags. The names of less than a quarter of the estimated 24,000-strong network of Soviet secret police informants have been preserved. Most of the people Latvian Radio approached for this story refused to talk. 
President to meet elected parties' reps again
President to meet elected parties' reps again
President Raimonds Vējonis on November 20 met Artis Pabriks (Development/For!) and Aldis Gobzems (KPV LV) in the second round of PM talks. The two candidates emerged with different messages, and the president is to meet the representatives of all the elected parties, reported Latvian Radio.
Major traffic restrictions in Rīga across festive weekend
Major traffic restrictions in Rīga across festive weekend
Latvia is celebrating its 100th birthday this weekend, and there's also the Staro Rīga festival. Traffic movement will be severely restricted throughout the capital, particularly in Old Rīga and the historical center.
No early release for Latvian rioter
No early release for Latvian rioter
A Rīga court has turned down an early release request for Ansis Ataols-Bērziņš, convicted for involvement the 2009 riots in Riga Old Town and recently extradited to Latvia from the Czech Republic where he had been fleeing the sentence, reports LTV June 16.