Latvia worried by Russian plan to buy French warship

RIGA - Latvia is concerned over Russia’s plans to buy a French warship, the Baltic country’s defence ministry said.

Latvian experts say large crater was hoax, created by people, not meteorite

Latvian experts say meteorite crater was hoax

Latvian experts investigate whether large crater was caused by meteorite or a hoax

Latvian experts investigate large crater

RIGA, Latvia — Scientists were investigating Monday whether a large crater found in a meadow in northern Latvia had been created by meteorite. One expert said it was likely a hoax.

Object resembling meteorite falls in Latvia, leaving large crater; no radiation

Meteorite-like object falls in Latvia

RIGA, Latvia — A meteorite-like object crashed into a meadow in northern Latvia, creating a crater 27 feet (9 meters) wide and 9 feet (3 meters) deep, a geologist who visited the site said Monday.

Museums, tours in Germany, Czech Republic and elsewhere offer glimpses of life under communism

BERLIN — If you’re interested in the history of Eastern Europe under communism, a number of places around the region offer glimpses of life before the Berlin Wall fell. Here are a few of them, ranging from somber museums to historic sites to themed attractions that are downright kitschy or bizarre.

Latvia bans a top soccer club for rest of season; coach, GM cited for betting on team’s games

RIGA, Latvia — One of Latvia’s top soccer teams has been banned for the rest of the season because of gambling.

Across Eastern Europe, shopkeepers feel the pain of dramatic drop in consumer spending

RIGA, Latvia — When the Sky & More mall opened in Riga in 2007, retailers hoped its expensive boutiques and upscale supermarket would draw well-off Latvians on their way home to the pine-forested neighborhoods on the capital’s north side.

Soviet holiday haven looks for new place in the sun

RIGA - The Amber Coast sanatorium, located in the Latvian seaside resort of Jurmala, features a dacha where Soviet leader Leonid Brezhnev would greet his guests. A clock with a hammer-and-sickle pendulum ticks in the corner, just as it did during the Breznhev era; a portrait of Lenin stares down from the wall.

Latvia’s economic output plunges 19.6 pct in second quarter, sinks further into depression

RIGA, Latvia —Latvia’s economy shed nearly one-fifth of its value in the second quarter compared with the same period last year, official data showed Monday, signaling a deepening of the Baltic state’s recession.

Latvia receives euro1.2B from EU, optimistic about getting euro200M from IMF

RIGA, Latvia — Recession-plagued Latvia breathed a sigh of relief Monday after receiving a large bailout loan from the European Union and approving austerity measures that will pave the way for winning funds from the International Monetary Fund.

Latvian premier says country has been rescued from bankruptcy

RIGA, Latvia — Latvia’s prime minister said Friday that the country has been saved from bankruptcy after last-minute budget cuts paved the way for the Baltic country to receive funds from international lenders.

Nervous neighbors brace for fallout from Latvian crisis

VILNIUS, Lithuania — As Latvia fights speculation about default and painful currency devaluation, its neighbors are nervous that the tiny Baltic country’s problems could spread well beyond its borders.

Latvia to cut more expenses to win IMF funds while battling devaluation fears

RIGA, Latvia — Latvia’s government on Monday weighed more painful spending cuts to qualify for a desperately needed international bailout loan, while a ratings agency warned about a possible further downgrade for the troubled Baltic country.

Italy’s vote for EU Parliament a virtual referendum on scandal-plagued Berlusconi

ROME — Italians voted Saturday in European Parliament elections that have become a virtual barometer of Premier Silvio Berlusconi’s ability to weather a scandal over his attention to young women.

Italians vote for EU Parliament in election turned into referendum on scandal-plagued premier

ROME — Italian Premier Silvio Berlusconi has weathered corruption probes and public outrage at his tasteless quips — emerging each time with his popularity intact.

In search of savings, Latvia decides to abandon Soviet-era nuclear bomb shelters

LIGATNE, Latvia — One of the old bomb shelters is now a fish cannery. Another has just been turned into a high-tech data storage center. Yet another is a museum.

Latvia’s prime minister stresses currency stability, no intention to devalue

RIGA, Latvia — Latvia’s prime minister and central bank chief on Friday decried speculation the country will have to sharply devalue its currency and repeated their determination to keep the lat pegged to the euro.

Latvia faces jitters over possible sharp currency devaluation, Swedish banks seen at risk

RIGA, Latvia — Latvia’s central bank and prime minister on Thursday urged the Baltic nation’s leaders to watch what they say about the national currency as jitters spread about a possible devaluation that could hit other economies in the region.

Latvia’s central bank calls on leaders to watch words about troubled currency

RIGA, Latvia — Latvia’s central bank on Thursday urged the Baltic nation’s leaders to watch what they say about the national currency as jitters spread about a possible devaluation.

Latvia to ship supplies to US forces in Afghanistan

RIGA - The US was set to open a new 4,000 km-long supply line to its forces in Afghanistan Wednesday with the planned departure of a freight train carrying US military supplies from the Latvian capital, Riga.

Schoolchildren tell Latvian government how to tackle crisis

RIGA - Latvia’s government is not short of advice, with criticism coming from such heavyweight institutions as the IMF and EU - but also from the country’s own kids.