Latvia has slipped three spots in the latest World Bank ranking of the ease of doing business, but still is in the top 30 of the 181 economies included in the survey.

The World Bank’s “Doing Business 2009” report, released Sept. 10, ranks Latvia 29th, down from 26th last year.

Still, Latvia was among countries singled out in the World Bank’s report, which noted the nation last year was among those making it easier to register property and to close a business.

Latvia also served as a model for officials in Azerbaijan, who visited the country to learn about regulatory reform. Azerbaijan was credited as the top reformer in the world last year and soared in the rankings to 33rd, up from 97th last year.

The World Bank noted that regulatory reforms are gaining momentum around the world, but especially in Central Asia and Eastern Europe.

The annual report ranks economies on 10 indicators of business regulation “that record the time and cost to meet government requirements in starting and operating a business, trading across borders, paying taxes, and closing a business,” a World Bank spokesperson said in a press release.

The top three economies for ease of doing business remained Singapore, New Zealand and the United States. Russia ranked 120th, down from 112th last year. At the bottom of the list, ranked 181st, is the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Estonia also slipped, down to 22nd from 18th, while Lithuania remained unchanged at 28th.

To help it plan programming for families, the Latvian Evangelical Lutheran Church in America is asking parents to complete an online survey about experiences in their Latvian Lutheran congregations, Latvian schools and homes.

The survey takes about 15 minutes to complete. It will be available until Oct. 1, said Astrīda Kaugars, director of the survey project titled “Come, Join Our Family Faith Journey” (Dosimies ģimenes ticības ceļā!).

“Our congregations and Latvian schools have consistently worked to help establish a strong faith foundation for our children and youth,” Kaugars said. “As times have changed, we must seek to more effectively communicate and involve each child and family.”

Once survey results are compiled, a planning committee will review them and plan programming that will be implemented in local and nationwide venues, Kaugars explained.

The survey is available in English or Latvian. Survey results will be anonymous, but as an incentive participants may be entered into a drawing for a cash prize.

Funding for the project has been provided by the Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Foundation.

For further information, consult the online survey or e-mail the project at LELBAgimenes@wi.rr.com.

A 35-year-old Latvian athlete has won a gold medal—and set a world record—in the men’s discus throw during the Beijing 2008 Paralympic Games in China.

Aigars Apinis threw the discus a distance of 20.47 meters on his last attempt Sept. 8, setting the record and earning 1,097 points for the No. 1 spot.

The medal is the athlete’s second gold in the event. He took first in the event during the Athens 2004 Paralympic Games. Apinis is from Birzgale near Ogre and is classified F52, meaning “athletes in [a] wheelchair with spinal cord injuries and amputation,” according to the official Web site of the Beijing Paralympic Games.

The final throw not only earned him a world record, but also the Latvian national record and the Paralympic record.

Martin Chris of Great Britain won silver with 1,074 points and Roman Musil took the bronze with 1,026 points.

The competition took place in Beijing’s National Stadium.

The Paralympic Games run from Sept. 6-17.