Is the EU President a good choice? Nov 20, 2009
I personally would much have preferred to see Vaira Vike-Freiberga, former President of Latvia, as the President of the European Council. First of all, she speaks four languages, in addition to her native one, fluently, five in total, and since one aspect of the presidency is a sort of "Chairman"-like role, that would be a good asset, secondly she's a woman, there's way too few women in top EU posts. (BBC News)
Paris Youths Squat in Mansion to Protest Against Record Unemployment Level Nov 12, 2009
Young people in France along with those in Spain, Latvia and Hungary are among the most affected, figures from , the European Unions statistics office, show. Not Aid, Jobs. (Bloomberg -- UK)
Blow to Blair's hopes of EU job Oct 30, 2009
Tony Blair - former British prime minister Jean-Claude Juncker - Luxembourg's prime minister Jan Peter Balkenende - Dutch prime minister Vaira Vike-Freiberga - former president of Latvia Wolfgang Schuessel - former chancellor of Austria Felipe Gonzalez - former Spanish prime minister John Bruton - former Irish prime minister. The prospect of a Blair presidency has also proved controversial in the UK.. (BBC News -- UK)
World Reacts to Obama's Nobel Peace Prize Oct 10, 2009
relations with Russia and offer a fresh start to relations with the Muslim world, there is little so far to show for his fine words" Kind of says it all, right? by jameslouiky October 9, 2009 9:53 AM EDT Compare Obama's accomplishments to Reagan?s Obama freed 0 countries from tyranny, ended no war, brought no one together. Reagan Countries liberated from Communist tyranny during or shortly after RONALD REAGAN's presidency: Afghanistan Albania Angola Bulgaria Cambodia Czechoslovakia East Germany... (CBS News)
Q&A: The Lisbon Treaty Oct 2, 2009
LISBON TREATY PROGRESS Approved by parliament: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK Defeated by referendum: Irish Republic Challenges: Czech and Polish presidents yet to sign treaty. If they reject it a second time, the treaty could be scuppered. (BBC News -- Europe)
World Bank lends $4.3bn to India Sep 23, 2009
The World Bank also approved smaller loans to Vietnam, Hungary, Latvia and Nepal. Bookmark with. (BBC News -- South Asia)
AP Interview: Yushchenko optimistic about NATO Sep 22, 2009
"I'm a great optimist. I'm sure Ukraine will follow the path of Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Romania, Hungary, Bulgaria.". He pointed also to the Russian invasion of Georgia, another former Soviet republic, in August 2008 as a strong selling point for NATO membership, which includes a guarantee that an attack on any member state will be viewed as an attack on the alliance as a whole. (Fresno Bee -- Nation)
Swedish Government Forecasts Healthier Finances, Growth in Election Year Sep 21, 2009
The most serious risk to the economic forecasts and budget stems from the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, where Swedens and SEB AB are the biggest lenders, Borg said ... Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, the European Unions fastest-growing economies from 2004 through 2006, have since toppled into the blocs deepest recessions. (Bloomberg -- Europe)
Riding the tsunami Sep 12, 2009
" By August the Reserve Bank governor, Glenn Stevens, ventured to say it may be "one of the shallower" downturns Australia has experienced. But isn't this all just dumb luck? Australia is China's quarry. And China, after a brief falter, has rebounded. So isn't Australia simply riding the China boom? It's certainly true that China's voracious appetite helped Australia avoid a jolting loss of exports. So while the US suffered a 15 per cent slump in exports last financial year, and Japan a... (Sydney Morning Herald -- Business)
NZ votes against child smack ban Aug 22, 2009
WHERE SMACKING IS BANNED Austria, Bulgaria, Costa Rica, Croatia, Cyprus, Denmark, Finland, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Israel, Latvia, Moldova, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Ukraine, Uruguay, Venezuela Source: Endcorporalpunishment. org. (BBC News)
Alleged Mega-Hacker: "Scarface" or Nerd? Aug 21, 2009
Around that time, federal agents said, Gonzalez devised a sophisticated attack to penetrate computer networks, steal credit and debit card data, and send that information to computer servers in California, Illinois, Latvia, the Netherlands and Ukraine. The Justice Department said Gonzalez and others used that attack to mine companies' computers for approximately 40 million credit card numbers. (CBS News -- Sci/Tech)
Did Obama Mess Up Health Care Politics? Aug 7, 2009
One-American__ Health Care Plan: MOre of the same sell out to Corporate America, the most expensive plan on earth, ranked th e 37th best in the world behind former Soviet Republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania ... Republicons in Congress, even the southern white ones will be paying with their jobs in 2010 if it's more of the same shameful pathetic US health care system, which is ranked 37th best in the world, behind the former Soviet Republics of Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania. (CBS News)
* Two years after the crunch, are we any wiser? Aug 5, 2009
What happened two years ago was to lead to a chain of events that involved the nationalization of about half the major banks in the UK and the US. It was also to lead to the collapse of emerging markets from Latvia to Pakistan and the biggest-ever globally coordinated government rescue package, involving trillions of pounds. The world is now an uglier place, with mass unemployment, widespread business failures and dramatic falls in world trade. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Conservative MEPs form new group Jun 23, 2009
Others who have signed up include 15 MEPs from the Poland's Law and Justice Party (PiS), nine from the Czech Civic Democratic Party (ODS), and one each from the Dutch ChristenUnie, Latvian National Independence Movement (TB/LNNK), Hungarian Democratic Forum (MDF) and Belgian Lijst Dedecker (LDD) ... Other allies in Finland, the Netherlands and Latvia were part of ruling coalitions, he added. (BBC News -- Europe)
Click to read:Obama On Iran: "The World Is Watching" Jun 21, 2009
Twitter and Facebook was used to start riots in Iceland, Latvia and elsewhere by George Soros to spread rumors. 8. (CBS News)
Russia wants US assurances on missile defense Jun 21, 2009
Search Type Choose a search type from the items below. By ARTHUR MAX, Associated Press Writer Arthur Max, Associated Press Writer. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Full Story » Jun 21, 2009
Russia wants US assurances on missile defense - Yahoo. Search Type Choose a search type from the items below. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Scary elections in eastern Europe: Time to start fretting Jun 16, 2009
One winner in Latvia was Alfreds Rubiks, a hardline former Communist who was jailed for backing a Kremlin-inspired coup against Latvian independence in 1991. Most Latvians see him as a pariah. (The Economist)
Latvia to abandon Soviet-era bomb shelters Jun 6, 2009
LIGATNE, Latvia One of the old bomb shelters is now a fish cannery ... Deep below the ground in Latvia runs a vast labyrinth of 311 bomb shelters, dating back to an era when Communist Party bosses built thousands across the Soviet Union in case of nuclear attack ... But now Latvia can no longer afford to maintain the shelters, at a time when the government can barely pay public servants and is begging for help from the International Monetary Fund. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Fears over Latvia currency remain Jun 6, 2009
Latvia is in recession after several years of boom. The Latvian government has said markets will stabilise once it has reached a deal with lenders, but fears remain it will have to devalue its currency ... Latvia now hopes to raise money from the European Union and the International Monetary Fund. (BBC News -- Europe)
EU poll marathon enters penultimate round Jun 6, 2009
BRUSSELS (AFP) Voters in Cyprus, Latvia, Malta and Slovakia headed to the polls Saturday in the final weekend of European elections, marked by low turnout and gains for the far-right in the Netherlands ... Latvia's government was confronted with its first ballot test since the Baltic state fell victim to the economic crisis, with Prime Minister Valdis Dombrovskis' centre-right coalition fearing a backlash ... A general election is not due until October 2010 and the EU polls are seen as a key... (Yahoo News -- Politics)
Euro-enthusiasts Jun 6, 2009
" Further EU enlargement does have supporters in Germany. But many are firmly opposed. It's not just the fear of the "other". For many here the EU is a precious and important construct, part of what Germany has become. Reckless enlargement is seen as a threat to the safety of the EU, and of Germany. The best of Europeans for more than 50 years, the limit of many Germans' appetite for Europe may now have been reached. 4 May - France 8 May - Ireland 12 May - UK 16 May - Sweden 21 May - Latvia 25... (BBC News -- Europe)
Dutch far-right 'gain' Jun 5, 2009
Latvia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia vote on Saturday, while the Czech Republic and Italy vote over Friday and Saturday, and Saturday and Sunday respectively ... Thursday: UK and Netherlands Friday: Ireland, Czech Republic Saturday: Latvia, Cyprus, Malta, Slovakia, Italy and Czech Republic Sunday: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovenia, Spain and SwedenResults from 2000 GMT Sunday. (BBC News -- Europe)
British, Dutch voters start EU elections Jun 4, 2009
Cyprus, Latvia, Malta and Slovakia will go to the polls on Saturday before Europe's Super Sunday, when the other 19 EU nations -- including France, Germany, Italy and Spain -- will round off the voting. Ireland's EU partners will be watching closely as embattled Prime Minister Brian Cowen seeks to convince his countrymen that they need the EU more than ever as the downturn hits hard. (Yahoo News -- Politics)
27 countries, 375 million votes Jun 4, 2009
And it will begin on Saturday, June 6 in Cyprus, France, Italy, Latvia, Malta and Slovakia. The other countries will conduct their voting on Sunday, June 7. (CNN -- International)
UK votes in MEP and council polls Jun 4, 2009
Latvia, Cyprus, Malta and Slovakia on Saturday and Italy and the Czech Republic over the weekend. The other 18 EU countries will vote on Sunday, with the first results expected from 2100 BST.. (BBC News -- UK)
Proud Europeans Jun 2, 2009
Page last updated at 16:19 GMT, Monday, 1 June 2009 17:19 UK. In search of Europe: Italy. (BBC News -- Europe)
'Day of reckoning' May 30, 2009
16 May - Sweden 21 May - Latvia 25 May - Poland. 29 May - Austria 2 June - Italy 5 June - Germany. (BBC News -- Europe)
Euro election at a glance : 26 May May 27, 2009
The percentage saying they were "interested" in the election varied from 72% in Ireland and Malta, to 25% in Latvia. A separate poll published by the Hamburg-based Foundation for Future Studies finds that three-fifths of Europeans believe election promises are not kept, and nearly half believe their vote will not change anything. (BBC News -- Europe)
Europe may elect 'virtual MEPs' May 26, 2009
LISBON TREATY PROGRESS Approved by parliament: Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, UK Defeated by referendum: Irish Republic Challenges: Legal objections delaying ratification in Germany, Polish president also delaying ratification, Czech president yet to sign treaty ... Under the Lisbon Treaty,... (BBC News -- Europe)
Election country-by-country May 22, 2009
The impact of the global economic crisis on Latvia has been severe, bringing social and political turmoil ... There appear to be no easy choices for Latvian voters, as Mr Dombrovskis has warned there is no escaping further substantial budget cuts ... Property prices have collapsed in Latvia, which has gone from being the EU's fastest-growing economy to one of the worst-performing. (BBC News -- Europe)
Russian history 2.0: Kremlin wants to 'correct' the record. May 22, 2009
Even more irritating for the Russians are perceived attempts in some places, like Ukraine and Latvia, to "rehabilitate" citizens who wore German uniforms during World War II to fight against the oncoming Red Army ... The removal of Red Army war memorials in Poland and the Baltic states has drawn particular ire, as have street marches by Latvian SS veterans, a Lithuanian law banning the public display of Soviet symbols, and an Estonian prosecution of a decorated Soviet war veteran, , on charges... (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
EU Commissioner Wins Lithuania Vote May 18, 2009
Lithuania _ along with neighbors Estonia and Latvia _ ranks among Europe's most depressed economies. EU statistics this week showed the economy plummeted nearly 10 percent in the first quarter of 2009, compared to the previous three months. (Newsmax)
• EU budget chief favorite for Lithuanian president May 17, 2009
Lithuania _ along with neighbors Estonia and Latvia _ ranks among Europe's most depressed economies in the global downturn, and many voters hope EU Budget Commissioner and karate black-belt Dalia Grybauskaite can help the country rebound. Grybauskaite, 53, decided to run for president after public anger flared in January over Lithuania's economic collapse. (Burley South Idaho Press, ID)
* SUNDAY PROFILE: Gas princess turns up the heat May 17, 2009
The recession has hit eastern Europe very hard, and Ukraine and Latvia have suffered most of all. Sales of Ukraines main export, steel, are down by 40 percent. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- Sports)
Lithuanians to elect president amid recession May 16, 2009
The other two "Tigers" are Latvia and Estonia. Economic growth in the country was 7. (Xinhuanet, China)
Seven-times winners Ireland dumped out of Eurovision May 16, 2009
Poland, Latvia, Slovakia, Cyprus, Hungary and Slovenia have also exited the competition. The success of the night was Estonia, who last appeared in the final in 2003. (BBC News -- Europe)
Central and Eastern Europe: No panic, just gloom May 15, 2009
Tarring all with the mistakes of overheated Latvia, chaotic Ukraine or debt-sodden Hungary makes no sense ... That is quite different, officials stress, from the emergency rescues of Belarus, Latvia, Hungary, Romania, Serbia and Ukraine ... Latvia is likely to be allowed to run a 7% deficit for this year in return for promising, really and truly, to reach 4% in 2010. (The Economist)
Sovereignty battle May 13, 2009
" I leave Marbury with the roar of cannon in my ears and head east to the coast. The final stop is Cleethorpes and the golf club, which one bright and blustery morning is hosting a match between Grimsby Seniors and their Cleethorpes counterparts. Cleethorpes takes the day, and over a fish lunch I ask what these wise souls make of the EU these days. The response is resoundingly negative. No-one has a good word to say about the EU. Please turn on JavaScript. Media requires JavaScript to play.... (BBC News -- UK)
IMF calls for European bank tests May 13, 2009
But the Baltic countries of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania will see their economies shrink by more than 10. "Europe is facing the economic storm of a lifetime and it urgently needs to weatherproof its institutions," said Mr Belka, who is head of the IMF's European department. (BBC News -- Europe)
Harper's slaying the protectionist dragon May 8, 2009
If it's Tuesday, it must be Latvia. If it's Wednesday, it must be the Czech Republic where globe-trotting International Trade Minister Stockwell Day caught up with Prime Minister Stephen Harper this week, in the words of the official communiqu. (Globe and Mail -- Business)
Afghan rights chief fears vote fraud May 4, 2009
Counterattacks kill 19 militantsThe fighting began when militants attacked an Afghan combat outpost and killed three American soldiers, two from Latvia and four Afghan solders, deaths the military reported on Friday. The Afghan Defense Ministry said hundreds of militants had massed in Kunar. (MSNBC -- International)
The pain in Spain: On May Day, nearly 1 in 5 are jobless, but few seem angry May 2, 2009
The governments of Hungary, Latvia, and Iceland have already collapsed after angry protests over the handling of the economy; France has thrice been disrupted as millions staged nationwide strikes. And demonstrations sometimes turning to riots in Greece, Ireland, Britain, and several Eastern European countries have reminded the continent of the violent class struggles of past century. (Christian Science Monitor)
Lithuania considers IMF lifeline to slow economic collapse May 1, 2009
To avoid an unmanageable budget deficit and painful cuts that could deepen an already severe economic downturn not to mention kindle further protests the government is considering a step many want to avoid: joining neighbors Latvia and Belarus as a recipient of an International Monetary Fund (IMF) loan. If Lithuania qualifies, one option could be a new flexible credit line program unveiled by the IMF in March. (Christian Science Monitor)
Lithuania's economy shrinks 12% Apr 29, 2009
Analysts say the size of the decline suggests the economies of the other two Baltic states in the EU, Latvia and Estonia, are also poised to contract by more than 10 ... Meanwhile Latvia's Finance Ministry has predicted the country's GDP will contract by 15% in 2009 ... Latvia has already sought a rescue package. (BBC News -- Europe)
The EU Can Ignore Eastern Europe at Its Own Peril Apr 28, 2009
It has used some of this money to co-finance large loan packages for Hungary, Latvia and, more recently, Romania, under the auspices of the IMF. ... The early months of 2009 saw riots in Latvia, Lithuania and Bulgaria ... Governments in Latvia, Hungary and the Czech Republic collapsed under accusations of mishandling the economic crisis. (YaleGlobal Online Magazine, CT)
Newsweek: Why is Germany so relaxed? Apr 15, 2009
Governments in the Czech Republic, Hungary and Latvia have collapsed. Violent street protests have erupted in and. (MSNBC -- International)
The troubled Baltics: Still afloat in the Baltic, just Apr 14, 2009
Latvia, which in December received a 7 ... Latvia s new government has been haggling over a 5% ceiling agreed with the IMF, missing last month s 200m instalment of the bail-out as a result ... The European Bank for Reconstruction and Development this week agreed to bail out Parex, a Latvian bank. (The Economist)
Prime minister of Hungary offers to resign as crisis deepens Mar 23, 2009
Governments in Latvia and Iceland have fallen this winter as a result of the economic setbacks those countries faced, and Hungary appears poised to join them. Today in Europe. (International Herald Tribune)
Hungary's premier offers to resign Mar 22, 2009
Governments in both the small Baltic nation of Latvia and Iceland have fallen this winter as a result of the economic setbacks those countries faced, and Hungary appears poised to join them. Today in Europe. (International Herald Tribune)
Latvia uses police to quash talk of economic collapse Mar 20, 2009
Economics professor Dmitrijs Smirnovs was detained by Latvia's secret police for writing an article warning about his nation's economic troubles ... EU leaders met in Brussels for a two-day summit on how to help struggling Eastern European economies, such as Latvia ... Correspondent Jeff White talks about the different Latvia he found since his last trip to the Baltic country. (Christian Science Monitor -- World)
The baleful BrettonWoods legacy Mar 18, 2009
2 billion, is to Latvia, a more-or-less market economy that has enjoyed considerable success in the past decade. The IMF released a third of the package in December; its failure to release the other two thirds caused the Latvian government to collapse in February ... Latvia and Iceland can reasonably expect modest amounts of help from their neighbors in Scandinavia and Germany. (Asia Times Online)
Subprime Europe Mar 10, 2009
In recent years countries like Bulgaria and Latvia borrowed annually the equivalent of more than 20 percent of their gross domestic product from abroad. By 2008, 13 countries that were once part of the Soviet empire had accumulated a collective debt to foreign banks or in foreign currencies of more than $1 trillion. (International Herald Tribune -- Ed/Op)
Prodi Says EU Needs Crisis Budget Reserve to Counter `Fear' of Speculation Mar 5, 2009
My fear is now that one day it will be Lithuania, Latvia outside the euro, then it can be Ireland, then it can be Portugal, then Spain, then Italy, Prodi said in a speech late yesterday at in Oxford, England. Prodis call for a permanent reserve goes further than policy makers including European Central Bank Council member , who said this week that euro-area governments should help out if a member country is in need. (Bloomberg -- Europe)
`New Europe' Longs for Bush as Obama Returns Focus to Old Allies, Russia Mar 3, 2009
The IMF has already bailed out Latvia, Hungary, Serbia, Belarus and Ukraine ... Two decades after they began throwing off the yoke of the , Poland, the Czech Republic, Hungary, Slovakia, Romania and Bulgaria are all in the EU and NATO. So are the former Soviet republics of Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia and the former Yugoslav republic of Slovenia. (Bloomberg)
Ukraine teeters as its citizens blame banks and government Mar 2, 2009
A small country like Latvia or Iceland is one thing, but a collapse in Ukraine could wreck what little investor confidence is left in Eastern Europe, whose formerly robust economies are being badly strained. It could also cause neighboring Russia, which has close ethnic and linguistic ties to eastern and southern Ukraine, to try to inject itself into the country's affairs. (International Herald Tribune)
Will Crisis Destroy the EU? Mar 2, 2009
"A small country like Latvia or Iceland is one thing," explains the NYT, "but a collapse in Ukraine could wreck what little investor confidence is left in Eastern Europe.". Just because President Obama refused to receive money from political-action committees during his campaign doesn't mean that they weren't active. (Slate)
Sweden's `Mr. Fix-It' Bank-Bailout Strategy May Be a Model for U.S., U.K. Mar 2, 2009
and , the two largest lenders in the Baltic states, face soaring loan losses in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania as recession looms. Still, central bank governor , another key figure in dragging Sweden out of its 1990s turmoil, said Feb. 26 the banks are strong enough to cope with their Baltic losses. (Bloomberg)
THE $1 TRILLION TAX INCREASE... Feb 27, 2009
Political Punch: Obama's Budget: Almost $1 Trillion in New Taxes Over Next 10 yrs, Starting 2011. Power, pop, and probings from ABC News Senior White House Correspondent Jake Tapper. (The Drudge Report)
Latvian debt is given junk status Feb 25, 2009
Latvia was the worst-performing EU economy at the end of 2008. Latvia's sovereign debt has been cut to junk status as its economy struggles with the financial crisis ... Sicted that Latvia's economy would contract by 12% this year, following its 4. (BBC News -- Europe)
* Latvian prime minister quits amid economic woes Feb 22, 2009
Latvian prime minister quits amid economic woes ... Latvian Prime Minister Ivars Godmanis quit on Friday, the latest political casualty of an ever deepening global economic crisis that has wracked once booming eastern European states ... The prime minister submitted a letter of resignation and I accepted it, Latvian President Valdis Zatlers told reporters after a closed-door meeting with Godmanis, whose four-party coalition government finally collapsed after weeks on the brink. (Taipei Times, Taiwan -- World)
Nuclear power in the Nordic countries: Recalled to half-life Feb 14, 2009
The Poles are also talking to Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia about a joint consortium to build a replacement for Lithuania s outdated Ignalina nuclear-power complex. Only the Danes and, to a lesser extent, the Germans are still anti-nuclear. (The Economist)
"The Hungarians made their own contribution", Dominique Strauss-Kahn, Interview with Npszabadsg Feb 9, 2009
The Fund has recently provided fast and very substantial support for the countries that you mention and, more recently, Latvia. We stand ready to respond quickly to other countries should they need our support. (IMF News)
Letters for Friday, January 30, 2009 Feb 8, 2009
As a courtesy of the United States of America, France, Germany, Norway, Finland, Poland, Latvia, Estonia, Lithuania, Algeria, Morocco, Romania, Kosovo, Panama, Serbia, Croatia, Bulgaria, Netherlands, Luxembourg, Czechoslovakia, Afghanistan, Denmark, Kuwait, Egypt, Montenegro, New Guinea, Indonesia, Thailand, Greece, Russia, Tunisia, Ukraine, Albania, Hungary, Belgium, Austria, Libya, Korea, Japan, Iraq, and yes, even Israel, are free countries. Free to vote. (Lihue Garden Island, HA)
Protests spread in Europe Feb 7, 2009
Latvia has faced growing public discontent following its economy's headlong plummet from boom to bust. An anti-government protest on January 13 descended into the worst riot since Latvia broke free from the Soviet Union in 1991. (BBC News -- Europe)
