Thursday, April 25

Name day: Līksma, Bārbala

Public broadcasting of Latvia
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Inga Šņore

Latvian Television

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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.
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.
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.
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.
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. 
Farmers say aid for last year's drought is meager
Farmers say aid for last year's drought is meager
Last week, livestock farms finally received long-awaited compensations for both the sharp drop in milk prices in the previous winter and the extreme drought that prevented preparing animal feed. Aid has been paid for two-thirds of registered animals. However, according to the Latvian Television broadcast De Facto of January 29, the aid equals to a half a roll of hay per bovine animal.
How to help foreign students stay in Latvia?
How to help foreign students stay in Latvia?
In Latvia, approximately 14% of all students come from abroad. Although educated people with a university diploma are always named as one way to add quality workforce in Latvia, foreign graduates remain here rarely, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on January 21. 
Study shows pesticides used widely in Latvia
Study shows pesticides used widely in Latvia
Last year, out of 42 pollen samples taken in six different places in Latvia, 38 different residues of plant protection products or pesticides were found, including three banned substances, reported the Latvian Television broadcast De Facto on January 8.
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 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.
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. 
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.
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.
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.
LTV's De Facto looks at Latvia's drug problem
LTV's De Facto looks at Latvia's drug problem
The experience of the pandemic has not only contributed to the use of intoxicating and addictive substances, but also hampered the possibility of detecting networks of suppliers of these substances. According to the De Facto broadcast of Latvian Television aired May 7, the number of drug-related calls for medical help has increased significantly over the last 4 years, while crime related to narcotic drugs and psychotropic substances has halved.
Rail Baltica project faces money issues in Latvia: LTV's De Facto
Rail Baltica project faces money issues in Latvia: LTV's De Facto
The total costs of Rail Baltica's Latvian section have risen a lot. Instead of the two billion euros initially discussed, it could actually cost six or seven billion. The existing inflow of money could not even be enough for the construction works already ongoing, Latvian Television's De Facto reported on April 23.
LTV's De Facto examines alcohol advertising changes in Latvia
LTV's De Facto examines alcohol advertising changes in Latvia
Discussions about limiting alcohol advertising in Latvia have been ongoing for at least a decade. The current amendments, tabled last week in the government, took two years to prepare and are still not fully agreed upon, Latvian Television's broadcast De Facto reported on March 27.
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.
'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: 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.
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.
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-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.
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.
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.
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.