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☆ Rare Editions of Pushkin Are Vanishing From Libraries Around Europe
▼ + stars: | 2024-05-01 | by ( Rachel Donadio | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

In April 2022, soon after Russia invaded Ukraine, two men arrived at the library of the University of Tartu, Estonia’s second-largest city. They told the librarians they were Ukrainians fleeing war and asked to consult 19th-century first editions of works by Alexander Pushkin, Russia’s national poet, and Nikolai Gogol. Police are now investigating what they believe is a vast, coordinated series of thefts of rare 19th-century Russian books — primarily first and early editions of Pushkin — from libraries across Europe. Since 2022, more than 170 books valued at more than $2.6 million, according to Europol, have vanished from the National Library of Latvia in Riga, Vilnius University Library, the State Library of Berlin, the Bavarian State Library in Munich, the National Library of Finland in Helsinki, the National Library of France, university libraries in Paris, Lyon and Geneva, and from the Czech Republic. The University of Warsaw library was hardest hit, with 78 books gone.

Persons: Estonia’s, Alexander Pushkin, Russia’s, Nikolai Gogol, Eager, Krista Aru, “, ”, Pushkin Organizations: University of Tartu, Police, National Library of Latvia, Vilnius University Library, State Library of Berlin, Bavarian State Library, National Library of Finland, National Library of France, The University of Warsaw Locations: Russia, Ukraine, United States, Europe, Riga, Munich, Helsinki, Paris, Lyon, Geneva, Czech Republic

“All of us decent people are hostages here.” Like other voters interviewed, she declined to provide her last name, for fear of reprisal. “It is so important to see people who think like you, who don’t agree with what is happening,” she said. More broadly, the muted, purely symbolic form of civil disobedience envisioned by the initiative underscores just how little the Russian opposition can do to influence events in the country amid the pervasive repression. Noon Against Putin has been expected to be particularly large-scale abroad, because dissident voters faced lower risks outside Russia. Ms. Navalnaya was seen standing in a long line outside the Russian Embassy in Berlin on Sunday afternoon.

Persons: Vladimir V, Putin, Aleksei A, Navalny, Mr, Navalny’s, ”, Lena, Noon, Yulia Navalnaya, “, ” Leonid Volkov, Nanna Heitmann, Volkov, Kristina, Navalnaya, Valerie Hopkins, Tomas Dapkus, Anton Troianovski Organizations: Sunday, The New York Times, YouTube, Russian Embassy Locations: Russian, Ukraine, Moscow, Russia, Lithuania, Lane, Berlin, Riga, Latvia

☆ We moved to Finland and aren't sure it's the 'happiest country in the world' — but we have no regrets
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-07 | by ( Charissa Cheong | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Kovalonoks and Goswami got married in Turku, Finland, in August 2023. We think Finland is a good place to raise childrenMegha: We rent an apartment in Turku, a few kilometers from the city center. Megha: We would like to have a family of our own someday, and we think Finland is a good place to raise children. Courtesy of QpidindiaWe think expats in Finland face unique challengesMegha: Finland has been named the happiest country in the world six times in a row in the World Happiness Report. I think Finland has several things that allow people to be content, such as work-life balance and good healthcare and education.

Persons: —, Kristaps Kovalonoks, Megha Goswami, Megha, wasn't, Kristaps, Kovalonoks, Goswami, Barbara Kaucher, we're, We've, that's, I've Organizations: Service, University of Turku, Business Locations: Finland, Estonian, Latvia, India, Turku, Nordic, Riga

☆ We've traveled to 91 countries and found 3 hidden gems for seasoned travelers
▼ + stars: | 2024-03-05 | by ( Dan Latu | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +5 min

After visiting all 50 states and 51 national parks, they've traveled to over 91 countries. Hidden gems in Denmark, Latvia, and Greece were their favorite destinations in the world. download the app Email address Sign up By clicking “Sign Up”, you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy . Faroe Islands, DenmarkFaroe Islands, Denmark. Faroe Islands, Denmark.

Persons: John, Beverly Martin, they've, —, John Martin, Beverly, dirk moll John, There's, James Bond, Roberto Moiola Beverly, Marcus Lindstrom John, Maremagnum Beverly, Vasilis, Beverly Martin John, Folegandros Organizations: Service, Zeppelin, Beverly Locations: Florida, Denmark, Latvia, Greece, Faroe Islands, Denmark Faroe Islands, Faroe, Iceland, Scotland, Norway, Riga, Latvia Riga, It's, Europe, Beverly, Folegandros, Greece Folegandros, Santorini, There's

☆ Here's why an influential US wargame was so wrong about Ukraine's chances against Russian invaders
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-24 | by ( Michael Peck | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +8 min

Or at least that was the expectation conveyed by pre-war US wargames that simulated a Russian invasion of Eastern Europe. The think tank convened an internal workshop to assess why its wargames had so overestimated Russian military prowess. Most of them examined a Russian invasion of the Baltic States (one also covered a Ukraine invasion), and how NATO might respond. In those games, Russian forces were able to quickly overrun Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania before NATO could stop them. A destroyed Russian tank is seen as Ukrainian serviceman rides a tractor and tows a Russian military vehicle near the village of Dolyna in Ukraine's Kharkiv region in September 2023.

Persons: —, Putin basks, Gian Gentile, Gleb Garanich, Ukraine's, Gentile, RAND's, Michael Peck Organizations: NATO, RAND, Service, RAND Corp, Baltic States, Russian, US, REUTERS, Baltic, US Army, Defense, Foreign Policy, Twitter, LinkedIn Locations: Russia, Baltic, Kyiv, Russian, Moscow, Ukraine, Eastern Europe, Riga, Tallinn, Baltic States, Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Baltics, Dolyna, Ukraine's Kharkiv, Forbes

☆ Irish women’s basketball team refuses to shake hands with Israeli team after accusations of antisemitism
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-09 | by ( Jacob Lev | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +4 min

CNN —The Irish women’s national basketball team refused to shake hands with the Israeli women’s national team ahead of the first game of the 2025 Women’s EuroBasket qualifier in Riga, Latvia, on Thursday. Basketball Ireland fully supports our players in their decision,” the statement continued. On Wednesday, Israeli basketball player Dor Sa’ar called the Irish team “quite antisemitic,” in an interview posted on the Israeli Basketball Association’s website. After the game, Israel head coach Sharon Drucker said he had “never seen such things” in his life. “There was no game where you don’t give concessions, shake hands, congratulate each other.

Persons: Dor Sa’ar, “, ” Sa’ar, Israel, Sharon Drucker, “ I’ve, I’ve, ” Drucker, ” Israel, Oksana Dzadan, let’s, James Weldon, ” “ It’s, ” Weldon, Weldon, didn’t, wasn’t Organizations: CNN, Irish women’s, women’s, Basketball Ireland, Ireland, FIBA Europe, Wednesday, Basketball, Israel, ” Basketball Ireland, FIBA Women’s, FIBA, Israeli Basketball Association Locations: Riga, Latvia, Israel, tipoff, Ireland

☆ The UK's flagship aircraft carrier suffers new misfortune and won't lead major NATO exercise
▼ + stars: | 2024-02-04 | by ( Rebecca Rommen | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

The UK Royal Navy's fleet flagship had to withdraw from a major NATO exercise at the last minute. HMS Queen Elizabeth had issues with its starboard propeller shaft. In 2019, HMS Queen Elizabeth was left without propulsion for days and flooded. The ship had to anchor off Britannia Royal Naval College for 24 hours to undergo repairs, per The News. The House of Commons Defence Committee called the UK military "consistently overstretched" and under "unrelenting pressure," the Independent reports.

Persons: Queen Elizabeth, HMS Queen Elizabeth, —, Elizabeth, HMS, Wales, HMS Prince, Kalnins, Sir Richard Barrons Organizations: Royal, Service, NATO, Royal Navy, Business, Royal Navy's, Britannia Royal Naval College, Warfare Development Command, UK Defense, British, REUTERS, Bangor, Financial Times, Navy, Recruits, of Commons Defence Locations: NATO, Portsmouth, Europe, Scandinavia, Northern Europe, Westminster, Riga, Latvia, Bahrain, Bangor

☆ US carries out new strikes against facility used by Iran in Syria
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-08 | by ( Idrees Ali | Thomson Reuters | National Security Correspondent Focusing On The Pentagon In Washington D.C. Reports On U.S. Military Activity | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

REUTERS/Ints Kalnins/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWASHINGTON, Nov 8 (Reuters) - The United States, for the second time in recent weeks, carried out strikes on Wednesday against a weapon storage facility in eastern Syria that the Pentagon said was used by Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) and affiliated groups. As tensions soar over the Israel-Hamas conflict, U.S. and coalition troops have been attacked at least 40 times in Iraq and Syria by Iran-backed forces since the start of October. The United States has occasionally carried out retaliatory strikes against Iranian-backed forces in the region after they attack American forces. On Oct. 26, U.S. forces attacked two facilities used by the IRGC and groups its backs. The United States has sent warships and fighter aircraft to the region since the Israel-Hamas conflict erupted on Oct. 7, including two aircraft carriers, to try to deter Iran and Iran-backed groups.

Persons: Lloyd Austin, Ints, Austin, Idrees Ali, Chris Reese, Lisa Shumaker, Sandra Maler Organizations: Defense, REUTERS, Rights, Pentagon, Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, . Defense, U.S, United, Reuters, Thomson Locations: Riga, Latvia, United States, Syria, Israel, U.S, Iraq, Iran, State, East, Yemen

☆ Novo Nordisk hikes outlook on soaring demand for Wegovy, Ozempic
▼ + stars: | 2023-10-13 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +1 min

Novo Nordisk on Friday raised its outlook for its full-year sales and operating profit due to soaring demand for its blockbuster weight loss drug Wegovy and diabetes treatment Ozempic. Ozempic and Wegovy have propelled Novo Nordisk to become Europe's most valuable company. The Danish drugmaker now expects 2023 sales growth in local currencies of 32% to 38%, from a previous outlook of 27% to 33%, according to a press release. Novo Nordisk also expects operating profit growth of 40% to 46%, from 31% to 37% previously. The new sales outlook for this year primarily reflects higher expectations for Ozempic sales in the U.S. and "gross-to-net sales adjustments for Ozempic and Wegovy in the U.S.," according to the release.

Organizations: Novo Nordisk Locations: Riga, Latvia, Danish, U.S

☆ Proud Page delighted after Wales win over Latvia eases pressure
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-12 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Monday's win moved Wales level on seven points with third-placed Armenia in Group D but they are fourth on goal difference. Croatia, on 10 points from four games, lead the group on goal difference from Turkey, who have played a game more. "The pressure came from the outside, understandably, but we never questioned it within the group," Page told reporters. Their last win was also against Latvia in a Euro qualifier in Cardiff in March. Wales play Croatia, Armenia and Turkey in their final three Group D games.

Persons: Robert Page, Aaron Ramsey, David Brooks, Page, I've, we've, Hritika Sharma, Peter Rutherford Organizations: Latvia, Monday's, Wales, Cardiff, Thomson Locations: Wales, Riga, Armenia, Croatia, Turkey, Hyderabad

☆ Ozempic, Wegovy may curb drinking, smoking and other addictive behaviors – here's what we know
▼ + stars: | 2023-09-10 | by ( Annika Kim Constantino | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +7 min

Jaap Arriens | Nurphoto | Getty ImagesHeather Le Biller shed 9 pounds within the first week of taking Novo Nordisk 's blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic – and then even more as she continued treatment. That means it could take years before the Food and Drug Administration and other regulators worldwide approve drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy as addiction treatments. Jerlhag and her colleagues at the University of Gothenburg in Sweden have studied the effect of GLP-1s on addictive behaviors for more than a decade. "The mechanism in the brain that regulates overeating is important in regulating addictive behaviors as well," Leggio told CNBC. Still, NIDA's Leggio advises against using GLP-1s off-label to reduce addictive behaviors, "simply because there's not enough evidence in humans that they work."

Persons: Jaap Arriens, Heather Le Biller, Ozempic –, Le Biller, they're, Angela Fitch, Brandon Bell, Dr, Lorenzo Leggio, semaglutide, –, Eli Lilly, pharmacologist, Jerlhag, George Frey, NIDA's, Leggio, Steven Batash, Batash, NIDA's Leggio Organizations: Nurphoto, Novo Nordisk, CNBC, Wegovy, Obesity Medicine Association, and Drug Administration, Pharma, National Institute on Drug, University of Gothenburg, Company, Reuters, Brigade, Getty Locations: Riga, Latvia, France, Ozempic, Novo, U.S, Italian, Austin , Texas, Sweden, Provo , Utah, Queens , New York

☆ Opinion: Russia’s uneasy neighbors
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-23 | by ( Opinion Frida Ghitis | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +10 min

“All of Russia’s neighbors are under threat,” he said, “if Ukraine does not prevail.” He will find few who disagree among those neighbors. It’s why Estonian Prime Minister Kaja Kallas, one of the most eloquent proponents of the need to support Ukraine, says Ukraine is Estonia’s own front line. Here, the exterior of Russia’s embassy has become a showcase for the contempt Estonians feel for their former master. As in Estonia, Russia’s 21st century assault on Ukraine brought echoes of Russia’s 20th century subjugation of Latvia. Genuine normalcy, a permanent sense of safety, Russia’s neighbors have discovered, will have to wait until peace returns to a secure Ukraine.

Persons: Frida Ghitis, Latvia CNN —, it’s, Lithuania —, Volodymyr Zelensky, ”, Vladimir, Putin, Raivis, “, It’s, Kaja Kallas, Michal Fludra, Ukraine —, ” Janis Melnikovs, Radio Maria, Melnikovs, there’s, Russia —, Toomas, Margit Raud, Margit, —, Galina Domenikovska, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, Russia’s Organizations: CNN, Washington Post, Politics, Latvia CNN, Frida Ghitis CNN, Estonian, Russian Embassy, Ukraine Independence, NATO, Catholic, Radio, Ukraine, Kremlin, People Fleeing, Authorities, Soviet Army, Twitter Locations: Riga, Latvia, Russia, Ukraine, Moscow, Estonia, Lithuania, Denmark, Netherlands, Soviet Union, Tallinn, Estonian, Finland, Helsinki, People Fleeing Ukraine, Viru, Baltics, Russia’s, Baltic, Republic of Georgia, Crimean

Latvia's Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins addresses the opening session on the first day of the Ukraine Recovery Conference in London, Britain June 21, 2023. Henry Nicholls/Pool via REUTERSRIGA, Aug 14 (Reuters) - Latvian Prime Minister Krisjanis Karins announced his resignation on Monday, blaming a breakdown in relations with parts of his multi-party governing government. Karins' New Unity party plans to select its candidate for prime minister on Wednesday, he said. President Edgars Rinkevics has responsibility for giving a mandate to a new prime minister to try to form a government. Latvia's next parliamentary election is scheduled for 2026.

Persons: Krisjanis Karins, Henry Nicholls, Karins, Aivars Lembergs, Edgars Rinkevics, Latvia's, Janis Laizans, Andrius, Terje Solsvik, John Stonestreet Organizations: Latvia's, Conference, REUTERS, Latvian, European Union, NATO, Unity, National Alliance, Progressives, Greens, Farmers Union, Thomson Locations: Ukraine, London, Britain, REUTERS RIGA, Lithuania, Estonia, Latvia, Russia, Ventspils

☆ Burned by the European heat, travelers are seeking new destinations this summer
▼ + stars: | 2023-08-03 | by ( Monica Pitrelli | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

'Scandi summer' trendInterest in visiting the Mediterranean dropped by 10% from June to November this year, according to data published by the European Travel Commission. watch nowA "Scandi summer" trend is evident among summer home renters too, according to Expedia Group. Shifts in SpainSpain is the most popular travel destination in the European Travel Commission's poll of more than 6,000 European travelers. A spring poll of more than 6,000 European travelers showed the No. 1 reason for choosing a travel destination was "pleasant weather conditions," according to the European Travel Commission.

Persons: Tom Marchant, Marchant, Evia, Will Vassilopoulos, Cynthia Nerangis, Peter Tomlinson, Tomlinson, InsureMyTrip, hasn't Organizations: CNBC, European Travel Commission, Expedia Group, Expedia, Costa de Cantabria, Afp, Getty, National Parks, Swiss, Istock, Travelers, LemonLime, CNBC Travel Locations: Europe, London, Finland, Norway, Sweden, Iceland, Scandinavia, Swedish, Skane, Blekinge, Edinburgh, Scotland, Riga, Latvia, Tallinn, Estonia, Smaland, Tenerife, Rimini, Spain Spain, Costa Blanca, Costa Brava, Mallorca, Costa Verde, Costa de, Basque, Greece, Rhodes, Corfu, Lofoten, Croatian, Canada, U.S, Slovenia, Italy, Puglia, Sicily, North Africa, Austrian, Lucerne, Solden, Switzerland, Morocco, Marrakech, France, Athens, Crete

☆ Fact Check-Latvia did not fine citizens for celebrating WW2 victory over Hitler
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-26 | by ( Reuters Fact Check | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Fines issued by Latvian police for publishing symbols that are banned by law are being falsely claimed online to be fines for commemorating World War Two victory over Nazi Germany. One X user said: “That is the day celebrating the defeat of Nazi Germany. Because Latvia is a Nazi state in Nazi NATO” (here). Riga officially commemorates victory over Nazi Germany on May 8. Local police say the fines were not for commemorating a particular event, but for public displays of outlawed symbols.

Persons: “, Hitler, Saint George, Simona Grāvīte, ”, Grāvīte, Read Organizations: Latvian, Nazi, Facebook, Russia, Victory, Nazi NATO, Latvia’s State Police, Independent State, CIS, Local, Reuters Locations: Nazi Germany, Latvia, Nazi, Riga, Moscow, Estonia, Lithuania, Baltic, Soviet Union, Ukraine

☆ Greek PM says not fair to manage EU migration problem alone
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-10 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The Greek coast guard rescued 104 people but hundreds of migrants drowned after an overloaded boat capsized and sank in international waters off Greece's Pylos on June 14, in one of Europe's deadliest shipping disasters in recent years. Survivors have said that the ship capsized after a disastrous towing attempt by the Greek coast guard, which Greece denies. Greece is one of the main routes into the European Union for refugees and migrants from the Middle East, Asia and Africa. Mitsotakis is expected to meet re-elected Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan on the sidelines of a NATO Summit this week. Reporting by Renee Maltezou and Lefteris Papadimas; Editing by Christina FincherOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

Persons: Kyriakos Mitsotakis, Mitsotakis, Tayyip Erdogan, Renee Maltezou, Christina Fincher Organizations: European Union, EU, Latvian, NATO, Thomson Locations: ATHENS, Greece, Pylos, Riga, East, Asia, Africa, Turkey, Greece’s, EU

☆ Latvia swears in EU's first openly gay president
▼ + stars: | 2023-07-09 | by ( Reuters Editorial | ) www.reuters.com time to read: 1 min

PoliticsLatvia swears in EU's first openly gay presidentPostedLatvia's new president Edgars Rinkevics was sworn in on Saturday (July 8) in Riga, becoming the first openly gay head of state of a European Union nation.

Persons: EU's, Edgars Rinkevics Organizations: Latvia, European Union Locations: Riga

☆ Allies Pressure Biden to Hasten NATO Membership for Ukraine
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-14 | by ( David E. Sanger | Steven Erlanger | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

Krisjanis Karins, the American-born prime minister of Latvia, argued that “the only chance for peace in Europe is when Ukraine will be in NATO.” Speaking Wednesday at a strategy conference in Riga, he said that any other outcome means inevitably “Russia will come back.”The hope in the push is that once Ukraine is a full member of the alliance, Russia would not dare to try to topple the government in Kyiv because an attack on one NATO country is considered an attack on them all. Ukrainian membership has become a “consuming debate,” both in Europe and inside the Biden administration, according to one senior U.S. official who is deeply involved in the discussions. Only Germany has sided fully with Mr. Biden, though some of the other 29 allies have their own quiet doubts about Ukraine’s readiness to fully join the alliance — and the risks that NATO nations could get sucked directly into a conflict with Russia in the future. In a blur of memos and meetings, several American officials, led by Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken, appear to have taken the position that the Biden administration will be forced to be more specific about Ukraine’s path to membership, even if no date can be agreed upon in the middle of a war that has no clear end in sight.

Persons: Krisjanis Karins, ”, Biden, Antony J Organizations: NATO, U.S Locations: American, Latvia, Europe, Ukraine, Riga, Russia, Kyiv, Germany

☆ Alphabet-backed U.K. payment firm GoCardless to cut 15% of headcount
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-13 | by ( Ruxandra Iordache | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

Alphabet -backed British fintech unicorn GoCardless has said it will reduce its global headcount by 15%, slashing 135 roles in a bid to cut costs. A separate 15 roles will be transferred from Britain to Latvian capital Riga. The payments firm most recently raised $312 million in a Series G funding round in February, earning a $2.1 billion valuation. Its backers include Alphabet's venture capital investment arm GV, BlackRock and Permira. Takeuchi hinted at the firm's renewed focus on profitability to CNBC in comments at the Money 20/20 conference last week.

Persons: GoCardless, Hiroki Takeuchi, Permira, Takeuchi, CNBC's Ryan Browne, — CNBC's Ryan Browne Organizations: GV, CNBC Locations: British, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Latvian, Riga, London, BlackRock

VILNIUS, May 29 (Reuters) - Latvians woke up to go to work on Monday morning, only to find they didn't have to. Their parliament had met at midnight to declare a holiday after the national ice hockey team chalked up its best-ever result at the world championship. Latvia, where hockey is the national sport, was co-hosting the men's championship with Finland, and the Latvians' extra-time victory over the U.S. for third place was greeted with wild jubilation. At quarter to midnight on Sunday, sporting red and white national team jerseys, members of parliament convened for a ten-minute session to unanimously declare the holiday. The bill was introduced by a smiling member of parliament with her face painted in the colours of the national flag.

[1/5] Teacher Inese Rudzite stands in front of Russian citizens during the Latvian language learning class in Riga, Latvia May 2, 2023. Speaking Russian instead of Latvian has not been a problem until now, but the war in Ukraine changed the picture. He said the test was needed because Russian authorities justified their invasion of Ukraine by the need to protect Russian nationals abroad. "I think that learning Latvian is right, but this pressure is wrong," Sevastjanova said. But now I end up learning Latvian instead.

☆ Russian fertilizer seized in Latvia sent to Kenya by UN agency
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +1 min

VILNIUS, April 22 (Reuters) - Russian-origin fertilizer which Latvia seized due to European Union sanctions is being sent to Kenya by the United Nations' World Food Programme, Latvia's Foreign Ministry said on Saturday. The first shipment of part of the 200,000 tonnes of the seized fertilizer left the port of Riga on Friday and several more are due to follow, it added. "The Latvian Government decided to facilitate the donation, with support from the UN World Food Programme, of mineral fertilizers owned by companies sanctioned by the European Union," the statement said. "Together with its foreign partners and international organisations, Latvia continues providing support for the countries that have been affected by the food crisis triggered by Russia’s war on Ukraine." Reporting by Andrius Sytas in Vilnius; editing by Jason NeelyOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Silicon Valley Bank Financial in talks to sell itself after attempts to raise capital have failed, sources say
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-10 | by ( Jesse Pound | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: 1 min

In this articleThis is breaking news. Please check back for updates. The Silicon Valley Bank mobile app logo on a smartphone arranged in Riga, Latvia, March 10, 2023. SVB Financial , parent of Silicon Valley Bank, is in talks to sell itself, sources told CNBC's David Faber. Attempts by the bank to raise capital have failed, the sources said.

☆ Latvia donates drunk drivers' cars to Ukraine's war effort
▼ + stars: | 2023-03-09 | by ( Andrius Sytas | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

[1/4] A general view of a trailer loaded with vehicles to send to Ukraine, which were confiscated from drunk drivers, in Riga, Latvia March 8, 2023. REUTERS/Janis LaizansRIGA, March 9 (Reuters) - Latvia began seizing cars from heavily drunk drivers this year, and as hundreds of vehicles began overfilling impound lots, decided to send them to Ukrainian military and hospitals. Two hundred cars were taken from drivers found with blood alcohol levels over 0.15% in two months in the Baltic nation of 1.9 million people. So that's why I came with the idea – send them to Ukraine," Poznaks said. He laughed as he found a Russian flag pinned in one of the confiscated vehicles, left there by its owner.

☆ War in Ukraine by the numbers: Mass deaths, billions in aid, thousands of destroyed tanks, and more stats that paint an image of Russia's unprovoked invasion
▼ + stars: | 2023-02-26 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | Erin Snodgrass | Charles R. Davis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

February 24, 2023, marked the one-year anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine. Billions of dollars of aid has been sent, and Russia has lost about half its fleet of tanks. When his troops invaded on February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin expected to quickly sweep through the country and capture Kyiv. Still, the cost of the war — in lives, dollars, and military equipment — has been high. AP Photo/Daniel ColeThe dead and woundedUkrainian refugees are seen after crossing into Poland on March 13, 2022.

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