Baltic News 02.10.2007

Six boys run away from Social Correction and Educational Institution “Naukseni” in Valmiera District; police detain two
RIGA, Oct 2 (LETA) - Last night, six boys ran away from the Social Correction and Educational Institution “Naukseni” in Valmiera District; they escaped by jumping out of a second floor window. Police have already managed to detain two of them, LETA learned from the institution's director Didzis Cakurs.This is the first large escape attempt in "Naukseni" history.It is believed that the escapees may have split up into several groups. There are reports that local residents may have spotted two of the runaways.The boys escaped from the dormitory building. The windows there have no bars.Cakurs informed that usually after such escape cases, boys are quickly found because they tend to go home or to other known places.“Naukseni” originally wass an educational and correctional institution for girls. Boys were moved in there after the incessant conflicts and negative atmosphere at the social correction institutions "Strautini", which is in Aluksne District.
Agnese Karaseva LETA
Copyright © LETA


BITE’s mobile internet reached the record speed in Europe – up to 7,2 Mbps
Published: 14:05 02.10.2007.
October 2, 2007
The following is a press release from "BITE Latvija":
Today telecommunications company BITE announces the upgrade of its mobile 3G broadband network to support download speed up to 7,2 Mbps. BITE customers are the first in the Baltic countries to have a possibility of using more than twice higher speed than before.
“We take into account growing demand from the consumers and today we present to BITE customers record speed of mobile internet. It is important, that mobile internet satisfies the expectations of our customers, makes their every-day work easier and is simple to use. Thus, together with fast mobile internet we offer novelties, which make it easier and more convenient to use mobile internet” – says Fred Hrenchuk, CEO of “BITE Latvija”. He also says that after expanded 3G network mobile internet becomes a serious alternative to the fixed one.
Up to 7,2 Mbps BITE’s 3G broadband is available to more than 50 percent of Latvian population – covering 7 towns and cities. The company’s partnership with Vodafone also ensures the opportunity to use mobile internet while being abroad.
Upgrading its network up to 7,2 Mbps BITE has also launched a new version Vodafone Mobile Connect USB modem, that supports this speed and is simply connecting to the computer via USB. It is a new version of Vodafone Mobile Connect modem and is especially designed for any laptop or desktop PC with “Windows” or “Mac OS” operational systems.
With a new fastest ever 7,2 Mbps USB modem mobile internet becomes simpler to use – no special software installation is needed and no knowledge of technology is required to be online. It is truly plug and play for Windows users, with a simple driver installation required for Mac users.
“Together with a new easy- to-use 3G broadband modem and a new speed we will continue offering to our customers the best experience and continue lead in the area of mobile data technologies. From now they can comfortably access and use mobile internet on any computer they have – would it be Mac or laptop or desktop PC”, says Arnis Blûmfelds, Region Business Manager of „BITE Latvija“. He notes that the Apple community is growing therefore new USB modem is especially great news for the customers, using “Mac OS”.
“Bitë” customers, using “Vodafone Mobile Connect” Express type of cards will be also able to benefit from the speed of internet up to 7,2 Mbps. In order to do that they can come to “Bite” offices in Riga (Brivibas iela 62 or Duntes iela 17A, 4th floor) to upgrade their modem software from 12 October.
Vodafone Mobile Connect USB modem also enters the market with new price offers. Signing the agreement till the end of the year, customers can choose from 3 rate plans, starting from 18 Ls per month, as well they can choose a new USB modem, starting from 2 Ls per month. Customers, who sign 24 or 36 months “Vodafone Mobile Connect” service contract, will not pay service and equipment fees for first 3 months of contract. These price offers are valid until 31 December, 2007.
“Vodafone Mobile Connect” USB modem joins other “Vodafone” product range at “Bite”: “Vodafone Mobile Connect” data cards and BITË HotSpot. The service is also available in the number of countries worldwide.
Mobile 3G broadband network upgrade to support download speed up to 7,2 Mbps is also presented by BITE in Lithuania.
For further information:
Natalja Rodionova, PR Manager, BITE Latvija
Mob. ph. +371 25544433,
e.mail public.relations@bite.lv


Government "blesses" Constitution Day
Published: 11:00 02.10.2007.
Vilnius, Oct 2 (ELTA) - The cabinet on Tuesday approved the proposal to add the Constitution Day, celebrated on October 25, to the list of national holidays. The Seimas board asked the Government to present its conclusions on supplementing the Labor Code.
The Government also asks the Seimas to assess the fact that the implementation of the proposed amendments might bring up negative economic consequences. However, it takes into consideration the fact that the Tripartite Council already approved this draft law on 9 July 2007.
Final decision will be taken by the Seimas.
Gitana Letukytë
2007 10 02 10.58 val. G.L.


Ergma wrote to van der Linden, attacking his false claims on Estonia
Published: 11:53 02.10.2007.
TALLINN, October 2 (LETA) – Speaker of Riigikogu Ene Ergma sent a letter to the President of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe René van der Linden, attacking his false claims that have caused a lot of dismay in Estonia, writes Postimees Online.
In her letter Ergma refuted again the claims uttered by van der Linden during his visit to Estonia on September 19 as she said that they have attracted a lot of attention and force a response.
“In Estonian society as well as internationally your recent recurring and misleading statements have caused confusion and astonishment”, wrote Ergma.
“Indeed, these false assertions not only concern Estonia, but they also discredit the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe and cast doubt on the credibility of its high-level representative. Hence our request: please cease further spreading of false information about Estonia,” she added.
In her letter Ergma refers to particular lies that concern the right of non-citizens to vote at local elections and the rights of minors to apply for Estonian citizenship.
“You repeatedly mistakenly claimed that non-citizens are not able to vote in Estonia in the local elections here. This assertion is untrue. Our Constitution, that was adopted at a referendum in the year 1992 does not link voting rights at local elections with citizenship, but only with permanent residency in Estonia,” announced Ergma to the head of the Parliamentary Assembly.
The Speaker of the Riigikogu also noted that van der Linden’s claim as if the children born in Estonia to parents with undetermined citizenship have no guaranteed rights to Estonian citizenship is also untrue as a person who is born in Estonia and is less than 15 years old can acquire Estonian citizenship through naturalisation if the child’s parents apply for it. In this case there are no exams or any additional clauses to go with the acquisition of citizenship.
Ergma noted that taking into account the fact that van der Linden’s attention was drawn to his mistakes in Tallinn already, it was surprising that van der Linden did not correct his false assertions at once.
Ergma’s political party Pro Patria and Res Publica Union is in the European People’s Party uniting the European conservative parties where the Dutch Christian Democrats also belong to which van der Linden represents.
LETA,
Copyright © LETA


“DnB NORD” establishes new pension fund
Published: 11:12 02.10.2007.
VILNIUS, Oct 2 (LETA) - A new third pillar pension fund of “DnB NORD Investiciju Valdymas”, the subsidiary of the Lithuanian commercial bank “DnB NORD Bankas”, started its operations on October 1, as the bank announced.
The fund operates under the name “DnB NORD Additional Pension 100” and focuses on investments in international equity markets. according to the bank, the new fund is an optimum choice to the younger and middle-aged generation who are free to choose longer-term investment option. “DnB NORD Additional Pension 100”, an equity investment for a five-year period or longer is expected to deliver an average annual return of 10-12 percent, as well as additional benefits from the tax incentives.
The investment strategy of the new fund is similar to that of the Equity Fund of Funds, which enjoyed 16.6 percent return during the first year of operations. Customers will be offered to sign a pension agreement at any branch of “DnB NORD Bankas”.
“DnB NORD Investiciju Valdymas” also runs third pillar pension fund “DnB NORD Additional Pension”, three second pillar pension funds, as well as the investment funds “DnB NORD Equity Fund of Funds”, “DnB NORD Money Market Fund” and “DnB NORD Bond Fund”.
LETA,
Copyright © LETA


Widow of deceased Lozoraitis granted annuity
Published: 10:38 02.10.2007.
Vilnius, Oct 2 (ELTA) - Giovanna Lozoraitis, widow of the deceased Lithuanian diplomat Kazys Lozoraitis, has been granted annuity. Such decision was taken by the Government this Tuesday.
At the age of 78, Kazys Lozoraitis, the first Lithuanian ambassador to the Holy See and the Order of Malta, the veteran of the Lithuanian diplomacy and the patriot of Lithuania, died in Rome on 13 August this year.
To fulfill the last will of the diplomat, Lozoraitis was buried in Petrasiunai Cemetery in Kaunas, next to his deceased brother Stasys Lozoraitis.
The law on the implementation of the diplomatic service lays down that the annuity may be granted to the diplomats who represented Lithuania in 1940 - 1990 or their widows.
Gitana Letukytë
2007 10 02 10.41 val. G.L. \


EVENTS IN LITHUANIA
Published: 07:41 02.10.2007.
to take place on Tuesday, October 2
-- Lithuanian President Valdas Adamkus:
-- -- to hold meetings with advisors and work with documents (8:00-17:00).
-- Seimas Speaker Viktoras Muntianas:
-- -- to congratulate police officers on the Police -- Guardian Angels -- Day at the Police Department (10:00);
-- -- to meet with Hungarian Ambassador Peter Noszko-Horvath (13:00);
-- a meeting of the Seimas anticorruption commission to be held (13:00).
-- Prime Minister Gediminas Kirkilas:
-- -- to chair a Government meeting (9:00);
-- -- to depart for Latvia to participate in a meeting of the prime ministers of the Baltic Council of Ministers (16:15);
-- -- to attend a working dinner with his Latvian and Estonian counterparts (19:00).
MINISTRIES
-- on October 2-3, Defense Minister Juozas Olekas and his delegation to pay an official visit to Baku, Azerbaijan.
-- on October 2-3, Foreign Minister Petras Vaitiekunas to take part in the first meeting of foreign ministers of the Baltic and Benelux states in Jurmala, Latvia.
-- Justice Minister Petras Baguska to attend a meeting of the Justice and Home Affairs Council in Lisbon, Portugal.
NEWS CONFERENCES
AT THE SEIMAS:
-- "It is Necessary to Liberalize the Movement of Labor Force from Eastern Europe" to be held by Viktoras Rinkevicius, leader of the committee on rural affairs (9:30).
-- END.
Gitana Letukytë
2007 10 02 07.35 val. G.L.
LETA ELTA,
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