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	Top Stories Latvian choirs go online to sing through coronavirus lockdown Latvia, Greece win opt-out from Monsanto GM crop Latvia: Fitch upgrades Latvia's credit rating

	Top Stories Latvia: Promoting good health through Maharishi Ayur-Veda natural health care Latvia: Invincibility rising in the heart of the Baltics Latvia progresses toward invincibility with new leadership and facilities

	Top Stories Latvian SS veterans march in defiance of ban Latvia discussing new military exercises with US Latvia: Border dispute revives Baltic tension
Positive Trends Short Summaries of Top Stories Latvian choirs go online to sing through coronavirus lockdown 16 April 2020 - Facing a lockdown and a ban on crowds to curb the coronavirus, choral singers in Latvia have gone online to indulge in their favourite pastime. Singing in choirs is hugely popular in a country where a major music festival draws hundreds of thousands of spectators and 15,000 singers. (more) Latvia, Greece win opt-out from Monsanto GM crop 27 August 2015 - Monsanto said it would abide by Latvia's and Greece's requests under a new EU opt-out law to be excluded from its application to grow a genetically modified (GM) crop across the European Union. (more) Latvia: Fitch upgrades Latvia's credit rating 20 June 2014 - The international rating agency Fitch raised Latvia's credit rating for long-term liabilities in the local and foreign currency from 'BBB+' to 'A-' with stable future outlook, the Ministry of Finance reported. 'This is the third credit rating upgrade for Latvia within a month, which means high appreciation of the achievements of the country and the nation. Fitch explains the rating increase by Latvia's positive economic growth, good state financial indicators, and achievements in the public finance environment,' Minister of Finance Andris Vilks commented. (more) Latvian Prime Minister confirms desire to continue cooperation with Belarus 21 February 2014 - On 21 February, Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma (Unity) met with the Belarus Ambassador to Latvia Marina Dolgopolova, during which time the two sides emphasized the good relations between the two countries and expressed desire to continue cooperation with one another. (more) Latvians pass books along human chain to kick off Culture Capital Year 19 January 2014 - Latvians of all ages formed a human chain in the freezing cold this weekend to pass books from the old national library to a new one two km (1.2 miles) away as part of festivities to celebrate Riga as Europe's culture capital for 2014. The concrete building, clad with glass panels and stainless-steel plates and resembling a mountain with a crown atop, sits on a bank of the Daugava River near the capital's Old Town and has been dubbed the Castle of Light. (more) In Baltics, UN chief lauds Latvia's contributions to peace, development, human rights 15 November 2013 - UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has praised Latvia's multilateral efforts as he started a three-country tour of the Baltic States ahead of his participation in the high-level session of a United Nations conference on climate change being held in Poland. Speaking in Riga at the Latvia 95 Conference, commemorating the 95th anniversary of the Latvia's establishment as a republic, Mr Ban praised its involvement to help secure peace and human rights worldwide and said that the international community looks ahead to a future of even greater engagement. 'Latvia is a small State - but it is making a global impact through its important multilateral efforts,' Mr Ban said. (more) Latvia is one of most interesting European economies - Bloomberg's John Fraher 25 October 2013 - Latvia is one of the most interesting European economies, news agency Bloomberg Editor for Economics and Government in Europe John Fraher said opening Latvia Business Forum in London on 24 October. The forum, organized by the Latvian Embassy in Great Britain, Latvian Investment and Development Agency, and Baltic International Bank, brought together Latvian and British government members, business and economic experts to discuss Latvia's economic prospects and opportunities for investing in Latvia. Three years ago, Latvia returned to growth and is currently the fastest-growing European Union economy. (more) Latvia unveils museum to WWII Jewish rescuers 30 July 2013 - Israeli President Shimon Peres on Tuesday took part in a ceremony to open a museum honouring a couple who saved the lives of some 50 Jews in Nazi-occupied Latvia. The museum in downtown Riga, Latvia's capital, is located next to the property once owned by Zanis Lipke, a port worker who together with his wife Johanna hid Jews in a tiny underground bunker measuring some 9 square meters (90 square feet). Latvia's President Andris Berzins also took part in the opening ceremony. (more) Latvia: Transporent to operate bike rental service in Riga 18 July 2013 - Car rental Transporent has won the right to operate a network of bike rental stands in Riga. Riga City Council said that the bicycle rental project was important for the city and could become popular with tourists. (more) Latvia: The eurozone member-elect whose growth is the envy of them all 11 June 2013 - In five years Latvia has been from boom to bust and, relatively speaking, back to boom. The third poorest country in the EU, it is also the fastest growing, notching up 5 per cent growth last year without social unrest. The European commission and the European Central Bank (ECB), in their 'convergence reports' last week, gave a green light to Latvia to join in January. EU finance ministers are expected to rubberstamp that decision next month. Ratings agency Standard & Poor's responded by raising its rating on the country's debt this week. (more)
Success of Maharishi's Programmes Short Summaries of Top Stories Latvia: Promoting good health through Maharishi Ayur-Veda natural health care 27 December 2009 - An expert in Maharishi Ayur-Veda from India recently toured Latvia, giving presentations and consultations on this ancient, natural, and holistic system of health care. Already, those who met with the expert are reporting increased good health and vitality. (more) Latvia: Invincibility rising in the heart of the Baltics 30 July 2009 - Leaders in Latvia's health, education, and law enforcement agencies met with visiting education experts, and local representatives of the Global Country of World Peace, to discuss innovative programmes for the success of the nation. A national television show and magazine reported on the project to create an Invincible Latvia. (more) Latvia progresses toward invincibility with new leadership and facilities 18 December 2008 - Speaking 16 December 2008 on Maharishi Global Family Chat, Raja Michael Dillbeck, Raja of Invincible Latvia for the Global Country of World Peace, reported the appointment of a new National Director of his domain, as well as other significant developments in creating invincibiity for the nation. (more)
Flops Short Summaries of Top Stories Latvian SS veterans march in defiance of ban 16 March 2009 - Several hundred veterans, relatives and supporters of a Nazi SS division formed from Latvians during World War Two held their controversial annual commemoration on Monday in defiance of a ban. The 16 March event has caused tensions every year since the veterans began to mark it soon after Latvia regained its independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. Russia calls it a glorification of fascism. Latvia says many of the 100,000 men who fought in the ranks of the Latvian Legion were conscripted by force and were not fighting for fascism. Many of those who volunteered saw it as the only way to take up arms against the Red Army after Moscow's annexation of their nation before the war. (more) Latvia discussing new military exercises with US 11 October 2008 - In the aftermath of Russia's invasion of Georgia, Latvia is talking with the United States about expanding joint military exercises and cooperation. The Latvian foreign minister, Maris Riekstins, discussed the issue this week with senior Bush administration officials, including Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice. Riekstins said the exercises would be focused on strengthening Latvia's military capabilities but also would demonstrate the NATO and Western commitment to protecting the Baltics. 'We are thinking about additional activities in order to improve our capabilities,' he said. 'Visibility is always an important aspect.' (more) Latvia: Border dispute revives Baltic tension 15 May 2005 - The Latvian border with Russia is the heart of a furious quarrel between the two neighbours. Latvia's bitter memories of Soviet rule, and claims by Moscow that Latvia is mistreating its large Russian-speaking minority, have delayed the signing of a long-awaited treaty that would finally anchor the border in law. (more) Visitors to Nordic, Baltic lands warned to be on guard 1 November 2004 - Latvia's security service said it received intelligence reports on Saturday from Norway, Estonia and the United States of a possible terrorist strike in the Baltic nation. Security was tighter around US embassies in Finland and Latvia on Monday amid a US warning that Americans living and traveling in the Nordic and Baltic nations should be on guard. (more) Latvia's government resigns 28 October 2004 - Latvia's government resigned Thursday after lawmakers refused to pass the 2005 budget that had been proposed by Prime Minister Indulis Emsis. It was the 10th government for the Baltic state of 2.3 million since it regained independence amid the 1991 Soviet collapse. (more)