Latvia has finalized all requirements for joining the U.S. Visa Waiver Program, meaning Latvian citizens may be just a few months away from being able to enter the United States with little more than a passport. The Latvian Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced Sept. 18 that Latvian and U.S. officials have finalized language in an agreement on combatting serious crime. The agreement is the last step in the consultative process that should lead to Latvia being admitted into the visa waiver program.

Latvian Folk Dance Group ‘Jampadracis’ (the name means hullabaloo or riot in Latvian), started life in the spring of 2006 after a suggestion by the Latvian Society in Ireland (LBI) to form it’s own folk dance group.  Notices were put in the Latvian newspaper ‘Sveiks’ and experienced teacher and leader Solveiga Slaidina was found.  She in turn advertised in the newspaper and on the internet and organised the first 4 pairs of  dancers for a performance of ‘By the Amber Sea’ (Pie Dzintara Jūras) at the Independence Day celebrations in November 2006 in Dublin’s Teachers Club. Tears of emotion were noted in the audience, and the applause was heartfelt, and enthusiastic.

None of the Latvian officials will receive the salary increase in 2009. This decision was made by the Latvian cabinet council during the special meeting held on September 4. This decision was caused by the upcoming expected economical crisis in the country. Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis warned the citizens about the crisis last week.

  Pasākumi Latvijas evaņģēliski luteriskā Baznīcas (LELB) Latviešu draudzē Īrijā 2008. gada septembrī. 3. septembrī no plkst. 16.00 līdz 19.00 - Saruna ar mācītāju “zem četrām acīm”. Lutherhaus, 24 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. no plkst. 19.00 līdz 21.00 - Padziļināts Bībeles studiju kurss. Lutherhaus, 24 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2. no plkst. 21.00 līdz 21.30 - Aizlūgšanas un pateicības. Lutherhaus, 24 Adelaide Road, Dublin 2.

Sestdien, 30. augustā Limerikā notika 2. Vasaras spartakiāde, kuru organizēja Limerikas Latviešu Biedrība (LLB). Cratloe Wood autostāvvieta sāka pildīties jau ap 11 no rīta. Protams, Īrijas laika apstākļi vairs nespēj ne pārsteigt, ne arī izbrīnīt latviešus, un īslaicīgais lietus neradīja nekādas problēmas. Spartakiādei izvēlētā vieta Cratloe Wood skaistā daba, ar mums tik ierasto mežu vairāk gan atgādināja Latvijas dabu. Un tā, ielejā pie ezera jautrā noskaņojumā pulcējās latvieši - aptuveni simts trīsdesmit dalībnieku un līdzjutēju no daudzām Īrijas vietām.

Ireland now may be home to at least 37,000 former residents of Latvia, according to data compiled by the Irish Department of Social and Family Affairs. The figure is based on records of Personal Public Service Numbers issued by the Irish government. From the middle of 2000 through the end of 2007, a total of 35,059 numbers have been issued to persons from Latvia. Through the first seven months of 2008, an additional 2,192 numbers have been issued.

Emigration from Latvia to other countries appears to be on the upswing this year after slowing in 2007, according to data provided by the Central Statistical Bureau in Riga. At the same time, immigration continues to increase, although the net result is still a loss in population. In the first six months of this year, 2,752 persons emigrated from Latvia compared to 2,110 during the same period in 2007, an increase of 30.4 percent.

President Valdis Zatlers has discussed the situation in Georgia and the international implications of the military conflict there with other heads of state. Latvia's President has been in contact with the presidents of Estonia, Ukraine, Georgia, and the United States by telephone to consider steps that could be taken to bring an end to the Russian-Georgian war and the normalization of the situation. The President underscored his positive assessment of the ceasefire but emphasized the need to adhere to its terms, in particular to the stipulation that Russian forces be withdrawn, which is currently not being implemented.

It won’t be just folks in Latvia going Aug. 22 to their favorite local bridge to light lanterns in honor of Latvia’s 90th anniversary. Latvians in Ireland and Peru will be doing the same, says a Ministry of Defense spokeswoman.

Foreign workers send more of earnings to homeland than previously thought. Immigrants sent back more than €1.5 billion to eastern Europe last year, three times more than in 2006, writes Sarah O’Sullivan. The Central Statistics Office had estimated that about €570m was repatriated last year but figures obtained from eastern European banks show the real figure is far higher. Many immigrants are spending only a small proportion of their earnings in Ireland, instead using their wages to support families at home.