Topic: Latvia
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5 countries where the death penalty is legal but rare
India’s Supreme Court sentenced the last surviving gunman of the 2008 attacks on Mumbai, to death. Here is a list of 5 countries where the death penalty is a legal possibility, though rare.
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3 of this month's best novels
Novelist John Gardner once said that there are only two plots in literature: someone goes on a journey or a stranger comes to town. You're trying to think of exceptions right now, aren't you? Well, while you brainstorm, this month's fiction roundup is packing its bags to join three novels' worth of characters as they set out on life-altering adventures 400 years and thousands of miles apart.
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Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 03/16
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People-powered democratic revolts - do they last?
Analyzing a selection of political revolutions - successful and not - around the globe since World War II
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In Pictures: Odd furry beasts
All Content
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Focus
Baltic nations offer ex-Soviet states a Western modelThe tiny states of Estonia, Lithuania, and Latvia, having shed their Russian-dominated past and joined the EU and NATO, are looking to help their post-Soviet neighbors to do the same.
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Focus
Left behind? Russian-speaking minorities struggle in new BalticsWhile the Baltics make economic and democratic strides, they also face growing pressure to better integrate their poor, disenfranchised Russian-speaking minorities.
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Greece seen as most corrupt European nation, survey says
Transparency International ranks Greece, along with other European countries racked by the financial crisis, poorly in its 2012 Corruption Perceptions Index.
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The Monitor's View: A parachute for Americans on their fiscal cliff
The hard decisions in the fiscal cliff negotiations between the GOP and Democrats would be easier if lawmakers could point to other nations that have seen the benefits of fiscal discipline in lifting an economy.
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Stefan Karlsson
Six types of European economic trendsRecent EU data shows great divergences in Europe between different countries in economic growth, Karlsson writes.
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Stefan Karlsson
Latvia's economy comes roaring backLatvia's strong economic recovery continues, with GDP increasing 1.7 percent in the third quarter. And Latvia did it by reducing government and maintaining a fixed exchange rate.
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Progress Watch
Poland takes top honors for 'most improved' in cutting red tapeIt's getting easier to do business in many countries, according to a World Bank report, with Eastern Europe and Central Asia making significant strides this year.
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Opinion: Beware Russia's hand in elections in Georgia, Ukraine, Lithuania
A top priority of Russian President Vladimir Putin is the reintegration of former Soviet republics – based on tighter economic links and culminating in a political and security pact centered around Russia. Meddling in Eastern European elections is one way to fulfill Putin's regional ambition.
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Energy Voices
Europe has had enough, but can it stand up to Gazprom?Europe wants to escape Gazprom's stranglehold by diversifying into shale gas. But Gazprom is throwing up obstacles.
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5 countries where the death penalty is legal but rare
India’s Supreme Court sentenced the last surviving gunman of the 2008 attacks on Mumbai, to death. Here is a list of 5 countries where the death penalty is a legal possibility, though rare.
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Google Fiber: Why does Kansas City get to go high-speed? (+video)
Super high-speed Internet comes to Kansas City, courtesy of Google. Business leaders hope lightning fast connections with spur innovation and jobs. Google looks to be expanding further from its original business of Internet searching.
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UN condemns 'baby boxes' across Europe
The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child is pushing to abolish baby 'boxes' where mothers can legally abandon unwanted babies. Social workers argue otherwise.
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Turkish troops head to Syrian border
As several nations prepare for an emergency meeting of the Action Group for Syria, Turkey deploys troops to defend its border. The international community has so far been unable to come to consensus about next steps as the crisis continues.
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Stefan Karlsson
Race against time: Eastern Europe growing old before rich?With the labor force soon starting to shrink dramatically because of the lagged effect of the collapse of birth rates in the early 1990s, Stefan Karlsson believes that most, if not all, Eastern European countries will grow old before they grow rich.
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Stefan Karlsson
Correcting Krugman: Setting the record straight on Latvia laborIn response to recent comments by US economist Paul Krugman, Karlsson clarifies and explains the concept of labor mobility, along with its potential for lowering unemployment rates across the eurozone region.
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Stefan Karlsson
Estonia rising: The little country that couldResponding to criticisms of one of the European Union's newest and poorest members, Karlsson argues that even adjusting for fortuitous circumstances along its borders, Estonia's performance the last two years makes it an austerity success story.
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Opinion: Russia should be rewarded with NATO membership
Russia should be on the agenda for NATO summit in Chicago this weekend. In spite of recent tensions, the historically fractured relationship between Russia and NATO is the most ripe for transformation. Obstacles like missile defense and Eastern Europe can be resolved.
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Global News Blog
Summit canceled as Ukraine isolation deepens over treatment of TymoshenkoUkraine was slated to host a summit this week, but with a dozen European leaders boycotting in protest of Kiev's treatment of Yulia Tymoshenko, Ukraine opted to cancel it instead.
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Latvia rejects proposal to name Russian an official language
Latvia's rejection of the proposal – and its strong support in one section of the country – highlights the deep divide between ethnic Latvians and Russians who have made a home there.
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Europe's Internet revolt: protesters see threats in antipiracy treaty
Anger over proposed antipiracy treaty ACTA was expected to bring thousands to Europe's streets today. Supporters say it will better protect intellectual labor, while opponents see free speech threats.
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Stefan Karlsson
Don't believe the Swedbank collapse rumorsRumors in Latvia that Swedbank is on the brink of collapse are just that–rumors. Swedbank is very profitable, and its Baltic division has benefited from strong economic recovery in the region.
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Pakistan cuts supply lines, but US has options
The US military had begun shifting its Afghanistan logistics network away from Pakistan and toward Central Asia even before the latest tensions between Washington and Islamabad.
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Amid BRICS' rise and 'Arab Spring', a new global order forms
With American unilateralism ebbing, Western nations and the rising BRICS countries are still finding their way to a new geopolitical balance – and Arab Spring nations like Syria are caught in the middle.
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Stefan Karlsson
Europe's population stats show new trendsLuxembourg's population grew at the fastest rate, while Ireland had the highest birth rate, new figures from Eurostat show
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Africa Monitor
Small but positive signs of progress with Congo's 'conflict minerals'Recent actions taken against Congo's 'conflict mineral' trade by companies and the international community signal that although progress is slow, it is happening.
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