Police fear empty tanks...
RIGA - Rising fuel prices have prompted fears that the state police may soon be unable to afford petrol — a situation that could hamper investigations if not resolved in coming months. In an interview with the Latvian-language daily Latvijas Avize, state police chief Aldis Lieljuksis said the organization currently spends more than half of its budget on petrol. “We have spent 54 percent of the annual budget for fuel, even though we could afford to spend only 42 percent. We have not used more fuel, but the high fuel prices make us restrict fuel consumption. There are no other options,” Lieljuksis said. “We should ask additional financing from the government, but I am not sure we will re...

  Security Council: Russia is a threat...
RIGA - A recent report from Latvia’s National Security Council has named Russia as one of the leading threats to Latvian security — a move that highlights renewed tensions between the two countries. Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis used the report to brief Saeima, Latvia’s parliament, on the security situation in the country. The report listed terrorism, drug trafficking, Russia and illegal immigration as the top threats facing the country. Russia reportedly earned its place on the list because it “uses energy instruments as a means of influence.” Latvia is heavily reliant on Russia for its energy supplies. “One of the top risks identified is the possible energy dependence on Russia. Th...

  Riga public and opposition want to get rid of “corrupt”...
RIGA - Members of the opposition center-right New Era faction of the Riga City Council filed a formal petition Monday calling for the resignation of Riga Mayor Janis Birks. In accordance with the Latvian local law regarding public officials, the city council have to consider Birks’ removal from office at its upcoming meeting. The New Era party’s call for Birks’ resignation is based on allegations of corruption and lack of oversight during his tenure. Outraged Riga residents and workers have a lot to say on the issue. Juris B., an IT professional working in the center of Riga, said, “Birks will be remembered for the fact that during his time in [office], there have been corruption all...

  Granny vote set for August 23 ...
RIGA - The date has been set for a referendum on a plan to increase the current minimum subsistence amount currently received by pensioners.  The Latvian Central Election Commission (CVK) has decided to hold the referendum on amendments to the pension law on August 23. Arnis Cimdars, the head of the CVK, said at the CVK session that although he initially proposed to organize the referendum on August 30, which is the last possible day for the referendum, the proposal drew criticism as the date coincides with the first day of school. Organizing the referendum would interfere with scholastic preparations, as most polling stations are located in schools. Gunars Kusins, head of the La...

  Huge Crowds at the Song and Dance Festival...
RIGA - Riga was packed as tens of thousands made their way to Mezaparks to attend the opening concert of the 24th Song and 14th Dance Festival on July 6. The number is expected to increase even further as the week’s events move toward the climactic closing concert on July 12.  Streets in the city center were devoid of traffic, as it was diverted to side streets for the seven-hour parade of Song and Dance Festival participants. Tourists who weren’t expecting such a major event were surprised. Takako Hashimoto from Japan expressed her enthusiasm, saying “It is so wonderful how the president stands and waves to everyone for so long. There are so many people here and everyone is singing a...

  Man’s earliest ancestor is a fish out of water...
RIGA - Swedish scientists based in Latvia have discovered the most primitive four-legged animal in world history. Part fish, part land creature, this 365 million year old tetrapod fossil gives scientists new information about pre-historic animals and sheds new light on evolution as we know it. Professor Per Ahlberg of Uppsala University who led the project told The Baltic Times about the importance of the discovery. “The transition from fish to land animal is relatively unknown, and examples like this represent the earliest kinds of land animals and gives us a broader picture of our own evolutionary transformation.” The discovery was named Ventastega Curonica after the Venta rive...

  Extremists pour blood (or maybe fruit juice) over ambas...
RIGA - In a scene reminiscent of the horror movie “Carrie” Latvian Ambassador to Russia Andris Teikmanis was attacked  by members of the banned National Bolshevik party who then threw bags of red liquid on him on June 25. Teikmanis had just sat down for a press conference in Moscow’s RIA Novosti agency, when two activists of the banned party shouted “Hands off Russian schools!” and “Your hands are soaked in blood!” A statement by the National Bolsheviks press service stated that the red liquid was blood. Analysts later said that the liquid was just fruit juice. The two party members, Zhenia Firsov and Sergey Baranov, entered to the press conference posing as journalists. They&n...