Latvian parliament passes law for adopting euro January 31, 2013 - 16:23 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Latvian MPs have passed a law necessary for adopting the euro in January 2014 despite widespread opposition to the country's adoption of the troubled European single currency, The Associated Press reported. The law represents a final legal obstacle before Latvia formally asks to become the 18th European Union country that uses the euro, a step expected next month. A small group of protesters gathered outside parliament on Thursday, Jan 31, to heckle lawmakers as they headed to vote. Recent polls suggest a majority of Latvians are against adopting the euro in light of the debt crisis that has afflicted the eurozone for over three years and fears that the Baltic country will have to help bail out struggling countries. Many are demanding a referendum, but the center-right government says it won't hold a separate vote. Partner news  Top stories Among its provisions are bans on child marriage and the traditional practice of selling and buying women to settle disputes. Jorge Rafael Videla, an austere former army commander, led Argentina during the bloodiest days of its Dirty War dictatorship. According to the United Nations, April was Iraq's bloodiest month for almost five years, with 712 people killed. Reports suggest the rebel fighters may have tried to blow up the walls of the prison, which holds some 4,000 inmates.   Partner news |  Latest news Brad Pitt’s “World War Z” to open Moscow Film Fest  The fest will feature retrospectives of films by Bernardo Bertolucci and Costa Gavras, as well as a program devoted to Dutch cinema.Wrekin Hill picks up John Malkovich’s “Siberian Education” Based on the novel by Nicolai Lilin, the film is set in the ghetto of Soviet Russia and follows 2 boys who are members of a gang of exiled Siberians.EU says concerned over human rights record in Russia The European Union said it would closely watch developments affecting non-governmental organizations in Russia.John Lennon’s guitar auctioned for $408,000 The custom-made instrument, built in 1966 by the VOX company, was bought by an unidentified U.S. buyer in New York. |
