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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The Entrepreneurial Mind Necessity is the mother of ... entrepreneurship?

While it may have begun as a means of economic survival during extremely challenging times, entrepreneurship in the Baltics is now the engine that has created a pocket of growing prosperity while the rest of Europe continues in a recession, Cornwall writes.
Aurora Borealis tonight? Dazzling northern lights forecast

Aurora Borealis tonight? Yes, New York, Pennsylvania, and parts of the US Midwest could see a rare spectacular aurora borealis light show tonight, based on the forecasts.
Modern Parenthood Glenn Beck MSNBC promo: The pundit blows hot air through the village

Glenn Beck tore into MSNBC's promo featuring Melissa Harris-Perry saying how she felt the US public should pay more attention to public education. But even while US students lag behind their overseas peers, Mr. Beck took Ms. Harris-Perry's criticism of Americans as sacrilege.
An echo of Soviet-era censorship and meddling in Latvia?

The prosecution and brief institutionalization of a muckraking journalist, and a proposal to rein in academic freedom, stir memories of Latvia under Soviet rule.
Stefan Karlsson Will Latvia join the Euro?

Latvia remains determined to join the Euro in 2014, Karlsson writes, despite some countries aiming to exit the Euro.
In Gear Estonia: a paradise for electric cars?

Estonia has just opened a network of 165 quick-charging stations – more than the U.S. has today – for its plug-in electric cars, Voelcker writes.
Change Agent Creative Connections links kids worldwide through art

US students partner with children from one of nearly 50 other countries to exchange their artworks and then share ideas face-to-face via a videoconference.
Cybercrime takedown: Is it game over for Gozi trojan that stole millions?

The three alleged leaders of the Gozi cybercrime gang were indicted in federal court. The Gozi trojan was highly successful, but it may be too hard to operate with the alleged masterminds in jail.
Focus Baltic nations offer ex-Soviet states a Western model

The 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.
Focus Left behind? Russian-speaking minorities struggle in new Baltics

While the Baltics make economic and democratic strides, they also face growing pressure to better integrate their poor, disenfranchised Russian-speaking minorities.
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.
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.
Stefan Karlsson Six types of European economic trends

Recent EU data shows great divergences in Europe between different countries in economic growth, Karlsson writes.
Stefan Karlsson Latvia's economy comes roaring back

Latvia'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.
Progress Watch Poland takes top honors for 'most improved' in cutting red tape

It'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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Stefan Karlsson Correcting Krugman: Setting the record straight on Latvia labor

In 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.
Stefan Karlsson Estonia rising: The little country that could

Responding 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.
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.