An avant garde Latvian folk music group, Bišu gani, has released its first compact disc of songs that examine the cycle of life.

Formed in 2004, Bišu gani is led by Solvita Lodiņa-Šķēle. On the album, titled Dzīvie dūmi, Lodiņa-Šķēle is credited with composing the music as well as crafting many of the instruments, according to a press release announcing the CD release in Rīga.

Latvian dainas and traditional melodies form the basis of the songs, but they are accompanied by spoken word and nontraditional instrumental performances.

The 13-track recording includes “Svētu rītu,” “Sajāja Brammaņi,” “Atnākšana,” “Kam der kalni,” “Es Dieviņu pieminēju,” “Tumsa tumsa,” “Pirts dziesma,” “n/a,” “Bišu dūmi,” “Gaisma nāca līgodama,” “Tirgus dziesma,” “Bitīt, Dieva kalponīte” and “Dieva cirvis.”

Latvia, followed by Lithuania and Estonia, tops a list of perceived enemies in a recent survey of Russian public opinion, according to the Yuri Levada Analytical Center.

When asked which countries they considered as unfriendly to Russia, 49 percent of survey respondents mentioned Latvia. The poll of 1,600 adults was conducted May 13-17, according to Canada-based Angus Reid Consultants, which reported the Levada survey on its Web site.

Lithuania was mentioned by 42 percent of respondents and Estonia by 32 percent. Georgia and the United States were fourth and fifth on the “enemies list.” No margin of error was provided by Levada.

The survey was conducted just days after U.S. President George W. Bush sandwiched a visit to Moscow between stops in Latvia and Georgia. During the visit to Russia, Bush joined world leaders in marking Russia’s Victory Day and the 60th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe. But in Latvia and Georgia, Bush had strong words for Russia and the legacy of the Soviet Union.

Latvia and Russia in early May also had been at loggerheads over a proposed border treaty.

When asked which countries they considered friends and allies of Russia, respondents in the Levada survey most often mentioned Belarus (45 percent), Germany (23 percent) and Kazakhstan (20 percent).

Police in Latvia have arrested a 42-year-old man wanted for questioning in the rape and murder of a 17-year-old girl in London, according to media and police sources.

The man, who put up no resistance, was arrested June 2 at his home near Līvāni and jailed in Preiļi, said Latvian State Police spokesperson Kristīne Mežaraupe. Līvāni and Preiļi are in eastern Latvia.

He is wanted for questioning in the May 16 rape and murder of Jeshma Raithatha, a high school student who disappeared after an afternoon shopping trip in west London. Her body was discovered eight days later. Raithatha had been stabbed three times through the heart.

The man is a Latvian citizen, Mežaraupe said. He was working in a car wash and living near where the crime occurred. He disappeared shortly after the murder, media reports and police said.

The man has not been charged with a crime, a Scotland Yard spokesperson told Latvians Online. In fact, British police have not publicly identified the man, although his name has been revealed in British media.

It may take about a month to process the man’s extradition to the United Kingdom, Mežaraupe said. He is due to appear in Preiļi District Court in the next few days and could decide to voluntarily return to the United Kingdom for questioning.