News in plain language on May 9 / Article

Celebrate Europe Day

Europe Day was widely celebrated in Latvia and elsewhere in Europe on Thursday, May 9, with various events.

A picnic was held near the Saeima House, students of three Riga gymnasiums held an orientation game, concerts and educational events were held.

This is a special year, because 20 years ago Latvia joined the European Union together with nine other countries.

Europe Day, celebrated annually on May 9, is dedicated to peace and unity in Europe.

In Latvia, however, May 9 is associated with the so-called Victory Day celebrated in Russia.

In Europe, the end of the Second World War is celebrated on May 8th and it is a day of remembrance, but in Russia there is a big celebration on May 9th.

Some people in Latvia also considered this day to be celebrated.

Today in Latvia, it is not allowed to hold public marches, meetings and pickets, as well as entertainment and festive events, unless they are related to Europe Day.

The use of pyrotechnic products is also prohibited.

By the end of the working day, the State Police had detected 41 violations of the law.

Criminal proceedings have been initiated in several cases.

A total of 14 persons have been detained, including a May 9 celebrant in Jelgava, who fired a gas gun at the cemetery.

The most violations were found in the Latgale region.

The security services continue to monitor public order and security throughout Latvia in an intensified mode.

It will be possible to refuse to learn the Russian language

Elementary school students will be allowed to refuse to learn Russian as a second foreign language.

This is foreseen by the changes in the Education Law supported in the final reading in the Saeima.

If you give up Russian language training until June 21 of this year, you will be able to learn another foreign language as a second foreign language from the next school year.

The law also provides for the possibility to complete Russian language training.

Does not support the ban on buying alcohol under the age of 20

On Thursday, May 9, the Saeima supported stricter restrictions on the sale of alcoholic beverages.

The restrictions provide, for example, that from Monday to Saturday alcohol could be sold until eight in the evening, and on Sundays – until six in the evening.

At the same time, the ban on buying alcohol under the age of 20, previously supported by the Saeima commission, was rejected.

Discussions about the age threshold for purchasing intoxicating drinks will continue in the final reading.

Russia will withdraw part of its troops from Armenia

Russia has agreed to withdraw some of its soldiers and border guards from several regions of Armenia.

At Yerevan’s request, Russian border guards will remain on Armenia’s border with Turkey and Iran.

Tens of thousands of people gathered on the streets of Yerevan, the capital of Armenia, on May 9, protesting against the government’s intention to give certain territories to neighboring Azerbaijan.

Armenia has long-standing hostile relations with Azerbaijan.

Armenia has agreed to return to Azerbaijan the territories that Yerevan has controlled since the 1990s.

This will be done in order to achieve a peace treaty and avoid another war.

US warns Israel

US President Joe Biden has warned Israel that it will not supply certain types of weapons if Israel carries out a large-scale military operation in the Gaza Strip city of Rafah and threatens civilians.

Slovenia plans to recognize the state of Palestine

On Thursday, May 9, the Slovenian government decided to recognize the state of Palestine.

This decision will be submitted to parliament for approval by mid-June.

The Olympic torch relay begins

On Thursday, May 9, the Olympic torch relay of the Paris Olympics began in Marseille.

After a 12-day journey from Greece, the Olympic flame arrived in Marseille yesterday.

The approximately 12,000-kilometer long Olympic torch relay began today.