LATVIA

Artdocfest is a crucial outpost of free expression on Russia’s doorstep

Retrieved on: 
Wednesday, March 13, 2024

When The Motherland Aborts You, also titled Country Abortion (Zoya Vodyanova, a pseudonym, Czechia/US) follows a lesbian couple.

Key Points: 
  • When The Motherland Aborts You, also titled Country Abortion (Zoya Vodyanova, a pseudonym, Czechia/US) follows a lesbian couple.
  • One of the women, Zakhara, has moved to India and the other, Lina, starts the film in St Petersburg.
  • Franak Viačorka, Tsikhanouskaya’s chief political advisor spoke at the festival, necessitating heightened security and illustrating Artdocfest’s importance.
  • Latvia shares a border with Belarus and Russia: these dictatorships are a threat to their neighbours as well their own citizens.

‘Ukraine Above All’

  • Artdocfest has promoted films by and about Ukraine ever since the 2014 illegal annexation of Ukraine, even when it was based in Russia.
  • However, a global appetite for Ukrainian documentary films about the war means some of the biggest now head to Sundance or Berlin festivals, achieving wider distribution.
  • The Mist (Dmytro Shovkoplias) is an immersive film conveying the confusion and disorientation of suddenly finding yourself caught in a war.
  • This same dislocation of up to 10 million people was depicted by winner of the main prize, In the Rearview.


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Jeremy Hicks is a member of the UK Labour Party

Lisata Therapeutics Reports Full Year 2023 Financial Results and Provides Business Update

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 29, 2024

BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: LSTA) (“Lisata” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of advanced solid tumors and other serious diseases, provides a business update and reports financial results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.

Key Points: 
  • Conference call scheduled for today at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time
    BASKING RIDGE, N.J., Feb. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Lisata Therapeutics, Inc. (Nasdaq: LSTA) (“Lisata” or the “Company”), a clinical-stage pharmaceutical company developing innovative therapies for the treatment of advanced solid tumors and other serious diseases, provides a business update and reports financial results for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023.
  • Lisata and its development collaborators have amassed significant non-clinical data demonstrating enhanced delivery of a range of existing and emerging anti-cancer therapies, including chemotherapeutics, immunotherapies, and RNA-based therapeutics.
  • As of December 31, 2023, Lisata had cash, cash equivalents, and marketable securities of approximately $50.5 million.
  • Lisata will hold a live conference call on Thursday, February 29, 2024 at 4:30 p.m. Eastern time to discuss financial results, provide a business update and answer questions.

Prime Minister visits Kyiv and announces additional support for Ukraine

Retrieved on: 
Saturday, February 24, 2024

The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, is visiting Ukraine today, alongside international partners, to reaffirm Canada's ongoing and unwavering support for Ukraine.

Key Points: 
  • The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, is visiting Ukraine today, alongside international partners, to reaffirm Canada's ongoing and unwavering support for Ukraine.
  • As part of this commitment, Canada will provide $3.02 billion in critical financial and military support to Ukraine in 2024.
  • In addition, the Prime Minister announced new support for Ukraine's resilience and recovery efforts.
  • The Prime Minister was accompanied for this visit by the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, and the Minister of National Defence, Bill Blair.

Automated, Scalable SME Funding Now Possible Thanks to New Platform from Fintech Factris

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

Factris' IT engineers applied insights learned over the course of six years to the new platform to improve nearly every aspect of how Factris funds European SMEs.

Key Points: 
  • Factris' IT engineers applied insights learned over the course of six years to the new platform to improve nearly every aspect of how Factris funds European SMEs.
  • The new platform replaces the original FAB platform from 2018, which has been an integral part of Factris' main financial product known as "factoring."
  • The first FAB platform simply enabled SMEs to upload and sell their unpaid invoices to Factris for a fee to receive working capital within 48 hours.
  • He commented, "Since Factris' beginning, technology and automation have allowed us to offer fast, convenient funding to SMEs.

Automated, Scalable SME Funding Now Possible Thanks to New Platform from Fintech Factris

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 22, 2024

Factris' IT engineers applied insights learned over the course of six years to the new platform to improve nearly every aspect of how Factris funds European SMEs.

Key Points: 
  • Factris' IT engineers applied insights learned over the course of six years to the new platform to improve nearly every aspect of how Factris funds European SMEs.
  • The new platform replaces the original FAB platform from 2018, which has been an integral part of Factris' main financial product known as "factoring."
  • The first FAB platform simply enabled SMEs to upload and sell their unpaid invoices to Factris for a fee to receive working capital within 48 hours.
  • He commented, "Since Factris' beginning, technology and automation have allowed us to offer fast, convenient funding to SMEs.

Buydo Expands International Reach in over 30 Countries

Retrieved on: 
Friday, February 16, 2024

As e-commerce continues to evolve, Buydo is at the forefront, offering a unique platform that blends the convenience of online shopping with an expansive range of products.

Key Points: 
  • As e-commerce continues to evolve, Buydo is at the forefront, offering a unique platform that blends the convenience of online shopping with an expansive range of products.
  • This move positions Buydo as a formidable presence in the global market, emphasizing its commitment to empowering its affiliates with personalized support and lucrative earning potentials.
  • Our expansion into over 30 countries is a testament to our commitment to this vision."
  • With a user-friendly platform, secure payment options, and a commitment to quality, Buydo is set to become a leading name in international e-commerce.

Treasury Board President Anita Anand tables the Supplementary Estimates (C), 2023-24

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, tabled Supplementary Estimates (C), 2023–24, in the House of Commons.

Key Points: 
  • OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 15, 2024 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board of Canada, tabled Supplementary Estimates (C), 2023–24, in the House of Commons.
  • This year, Supplementary Estimates (C), 2023–24, present for Parliament's approval planned spending of $8.9 billion.
  • - The Honourable Anita Anand, President of the Treasury Board
    Through 2023–24 Main Estimates and Supplementary Estimates, requested authorities totaling $248.2 billion in voted budgetary expenditures were presented to Parliament for this fiscal year.
  • The Supplementary Estimates (C), 2023–24 is the third and final Supplementary Estimates planned for this fiscal year.

Why the United States needs NATO – 3 things to know

Retrieved on: 
Thursday, February 15, 2024

Former President Donald Trump has long made it clear that he deeply resents NATO, a 75-year-old military alliance that is composed of the United States and 30 other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.

Key Points: 
  • Former President Donald Trump has long made it clear that he deeply resents NATO, a 75-year-old military alliance that is composed of the United States and 30 other countries, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany and France.
  • The central idea behind NATO’s existence, as explained in Article 5 of NATO’s 1949 treaty, is that all NATO countries agree to defend any other NATO country in case of an attack.
  • NATO has no standing army and relies on member countries to volunteer their military forces to carry out any operation.
  • So all NATO countries agree to spend 2% of their annual gross domestic product on military defense in order to support NATO.
  • Here are three major benefits for the U.S. that come with NATO membership:

1. NATO gives the US reliable allies

  • Yet, without its allies in Asia, and above all without those in Europe, the U.S would be a much diminished superpower.
  • NATO provides the U.S. with a leadership position in one of the strongest military alliance networks in the world.
  • The U.S. considers economically strong countries like Canada, Germany, France, Italy and many other established democracies as its friends and allies.
  • NATO has invoked Article 5 only once – immediately after the U.S. was attacked on Sept. 11, 2001.
  • America’s NATO allies were ready to come to the aid of the U.S. – and, for good or for bad, many subsequently participated in the United States’ war in Afghanistan.

2. NATO provides peace and stability

  • NATO provides a blanket of protection and mutual security for all its members, helping explain why the vast majority of countries in central and eastern Europe clamored to join NATO after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1991.
  • Invading a NATO country would bring the entire alliance into a war with Russia, which would be a risky gamble for Moscow.

3. NATO has helped the US get stronger

  • NATO, on the other hand, is a voluntary military alliance, and countries must go through a demanding application process before they are accepted.
  • The United States’ current presence in Europe – and Asia – has not been imposed by force.
  • By joining NATO and accepting the military leadership of Washington, the other NATO countries give the U.S. unprecedented influence and power.
  • Norwegian scholar Geir Lundestad called this an “empire by invitation.” This informal empire has deeply anchored the U.S. and its influence in Europe.

A split in opinion

  • Biden has repeatedly warned Putin that he would face the consequences if Russia attacks a NATO member.
  • For Trump, however, transatlantic solidarity and mutual defense appear to count for nothing.
  • For him, it seems to be all about the money and whether or not NATO countries spend 2% of their GDP on defense.
  • Trump does not view Putin’s Russia as an existential threat to the U.S.-led global order.


Klaus W. Larres does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organization that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

Andersen Expands Reach of Global Valuation Practice to Include 16 European Countries

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

Just months after announcing its global valuation practice, Andersen , the fastest-growing independent, multidisciplinary professional services firm in the world, has expanded its valuation coverage to more than 16 countries throughout Europe.

Key Points: 
  • Just months after announcing its global valuation practice, Andersen , the fastest-growing independent, multidisciplinary professional services firm in the world, has expanded its valuation coverage to more than 16 countries throughout Europe.
  • “Valuation is a significant area of growth for Andersen and Europe is one of our fastest growing regions as we expand our Global Valuation Practice to serve our clients wherever they do business,” said Mark L. Vorsatz, global chairman and CEO of Andersen.
  • Andersen formally launched its global valuation practice last fall with the intent of becoming a Top 5 valuation firm in the world within the next two years.
  • “Our expansion of the Andersen platform across Europe reflects our clients’ growing needs for best-in-class, independent valuation resources wherever they do business,” said Sid Luckenbach, managing director of Andersen’s global valuation practice.

Which day of the week gets the most people to vote? We analysed thousands of international elections to find out

Retrieved on: 
Tuesday, February 13, 2024

For example, the Republican primaries in Iowa on January 15 were held in very cold temperatures (subzero wind chills and a blizzard).

Key Points: 
  • For example, the Republican primaries in Iowa on January 15 were held in very cold temperatures (subzero wind chills and a blizzard).
  • The Republican primaries were held not only on a cold day, but on a working Monday.
  • We analysed data from thousands of elections across the globe to find out.
  • Read more:
    Nigeria had 93 million registered voters, but only a quarter voted: 5 reasons why

What’s the most popular day to hold an election?

  • The first thing we can assess is which day of the week most global elections are held.
  • The graph shows, in general, voting takes place on weekends (more than 60% of elections), with Sunday being the preferred day.
  • We could also examine how many countries choose a given day of the week to hold their elections.

How does that affect voter turnout?

  • However, when the analysis was expanded to 63 countries, the day of the election did not seem to affect participation.
  • As the graph above shows, the median voter turnout is around 70% for every day of the week.
  • Therefore, it does not appear that the day on which the election is held is related to the level of participation.

Why does this matter?

  • In some countries, wealthier voters tend to show higher participation rates than poorer voters.
  • This is a pattern that has been identified in the United States and Europe but not necessarily in other countries such as India or Indonesia.
  • Participation is strategically used by political parties promoting (or disincentivising) voting in different ways and to differing extents.
  • In a year when more than half the world’s population will vote in a national election, it’s worth including data in the global discussion.


Ferran Martinez i Coma receives funding from Australian Research Council DP190101978. Diego Leiva does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.