Remarks by U.S. Ambassador Christopher Robinson 247th Independence Day Celebration

  Ambassador Christopher Robinson Thursday, June 29, 2023 U.S. Embassy in Latvia Dārgie draugi, laipni lūdzam! Paldies, ka atnācāt, lai kopā ar mums nosvinētu mūsu Neatkarības dienu!  [Dear friends, welcome!  Thank you for coming to celebrate our Independence Day with us!] Good afternoon ministers and excellencies, distinguished guests, friends.  Donka and I are honored to …

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U.S. Embassy Raises Rainbow Flag on May 17 for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), the U.S. Embassy in Riga raised the rainbow Progress Pride flag today at a ceremony that included representatives from the Latvian government, diplomatic community, and civil society. “The United States stands with the LGBTQI+ community around the world and remains committed to equality for …

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United States European Command Donation of Household Appliances and Beds to Provide Support to Ukrainian Refugees in Latvia

On Tuesday, May 2, U.S. Ambassador Christopher Robinson presented the Latvian government with 24 refrigerators and 24 washers. State Fire and Rescue Service Chief Colonel Mārtiņš Baltmanis and eight Latvian municipalities accepted the donation. The U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation worked with the Latvian State Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS), the lead governmental agency …

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U.S. and Latvian Officials Participated in Unveiling Ceremony for U.S.-Funded Fire Station at Lielvārde Air Force Base

Riga, August 5, 2022 – On August 4, U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile, Latvian Air Force Lt. Col. Viesturs Masulis and Under Secretary of State for Logistics Latvian Ministry of Defense Mārtiņš Paškēvičs participated in an official unveiling ceremony for a U.S.-funded Fire Station at the Lielvārde Air Force Base. Construction of the $2 …

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Ambassador John Carwile’s Remarks on America’s 246th Independence Day

Ambassador John Carwile July 6, 2022 Good afternoon ministers and excellencies, distinguished guests, friends. Karin and I welcome you to our celebration of America’s 246th Independence Day. It’s been two years since we last gathered – and in much smaller numbers – outside the American Embassy, and I’m glad that we can enjoy a more …

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Social media contest to win invites for a concert of U.S. musician Clark Beckham

Official Trivia Contest Rules Social media contest to win invites for a concert of U.S. musician Clark Beckham at the Rīgas Ritmi Festival. Contest Sponsors «Social media contest to win invites for a U.S. musician Clark Beckham at the Rīgas Ritmi Festival » is sponsored by the U.S. Department of State, «Embassy Riga, Latvia» and Rīgas …

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U.S. Embassy-supported exhibition opens in Museum of the Occupation of Latvia

Riga, June 10, 2022 – U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile took part in the opening event for a new U.S. Embassy-supported exhibition at the Latvian Museum of Occupation: “The USA: A Safe Haven when the Homeland is Occupied, 1940-1991.” The exhibition is part of the Embassy’s celebration of the 100th anniversary of U.S.-Latvia diplomatic …

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U.S. Embassy Raises Rainbow Flag on May 17 for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

Riga, May 17, 2022 – To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), the U.S. Embassy in Riga raised the rainbow flag today. Representatives from the Saeima, diplomatic community, and Latvian civil society joined Ambassador Carwile for the flag-raising ceremony. “I am proud to continue the Embassy’s tradition of gathering allies and …

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United States European Command Donates Medical Equipment to State Emergency Medical Service to Support Latvia During COVID-19 Crisis

On Tuesday, November 16, U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian State Emergency Medical Service with eight mobile mechanical lung ventilators. The U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation worked with the Latvian Ministry of Health and State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) to implement the project. The donation, totaling $216,000, was funded by the U.S. European …

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U.S. and Latvian Officials Commemorate Completion of Renovation Project at State Emergency Medical Service’s Kandava Medical Warehouse

U.S. Ambassador John Carwile, Chairman of Kandava and Parish Union Jānis Mazitāns, representatives of State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS), representatives of U.S. European Command and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony to commemorate completion of the cooperation project between the U.S. and the Latvian State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) on Wednesday, …

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Ambassador Carwile’s Remarks at 9/11 20th Anniversary Commemoration at Washington Square

Ambassador John Carwile Saturday, September 11, 2021, 15:32, Three Minutes Foreign Minister Rinkēvičs, Defense Minister Pabriks, Mayor Staķis, and honored guests. On behalf of the United States of America, I would like to express our gratitude for your presence at this twentieth anniversary commemoration of the September 11 terrorist attacks. Twenty years ago on this …

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U.S. Embassy Raises Rainbow Flag on May 17 for International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia

Riga, May 17, 2021 – To mark the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (IDAHOTB), the U.S. Embassy in Riga is flying the rainbow flag today. Minister of Foreign Affairs Edgars Rinkēvičs joined Chargé d’Affaires Ruta Elvikis for the small outdoor flag-raising ceremony, along with representatives from the Saeima, civil society, and the diplomatic …

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United States European Command Donates Medical Equipment to State Emergency Medical Service to Support Latvia During COVID-19 crisis

On Friday, March 19, U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian government with two single-patient isolation and transport systems. Minister of Health Daniels Pavļuts accepted the donation on behalf of the Latvian government. The U.S. Embassy Office of Defense Cooperation worked with the Latvian Ministry of Health and State Emergency Medical Service (SEMS) to implement …

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BOOKS ARE STILL COOL!

Hello all avid readers. Each February, the U.S. recognizes and celebrates Black History Month, as does the US Embassy of Latvia with a chance for eight of our social media followers to receive a copy of Between the World and Me, by Ta-Nehisi Coates. What is in it for you? A free hard cover copy of Between the World and Me by Ta-Nehisi Coates, yours to keep, …

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Inaugural Address by President Joseph R. Biden, Jr.

January 20, 2021 THE PRESIDENT: Chief Justice Roberts, Vice President Harris, Speaker Pelosi, Leader Schumer, Leader McConnell, Vice President Pence, distinguished guests, and my fellow Americans. This is America’s day. This is democracy’s day. A day of history and hope. Of renewal and resolve. Through a crucible for the ages America has been tested anew …

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Statement by Ambassador John Carwile in Honor of the Barricades

On January 13, 1991, tens of thousands of Latvians peacefully took to the streets of Riga to erect barricades and defend Latvia’s fledgling independent, democratic institutions in the face of threats from Soviet forces. Seven Latvians lost their lives during the tense two-week standoff, but the Soviets failed to intimidate the defenders and ultimately withdrew …

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Joint Message on International Anti-Corruption Day

On December 9, 2020 to mark International Anti-Corruption Day, U.S. Ambassador to Latvia John Carwile joined President of Latvia Egils Levits, several Latvian state officials, other ambassadors, and a Latvian civil society representative in a video message emphasizing how corruption undermines sovereignty and security. The video also emphasizes the importance of allies working together to …

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Ambassador Carwile And Minister Pabriks Open Special Operations Base in Riga

On November 25, 2020, Ambassador Carwile, together with Latvian Minister of Defense Artis Pabriks, and Chief of Defense Lieutenant General Leonīds Kalniņš participated in a ribbon-cutting ceremony for the newly-built Special Operations Unit base in Riga. U.S. European Command (EUCOM) European Defense Initiative provided 3.7 million USD for the project. The new infrastructure, which includes …

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Secretary Pompeo’s Statement on Latvia’s National Day

November 18, 2020 – “On behalf of the United States of America, I send congratulations to the Latvian people as you celebrate the 102nd anniversary of your independence. The United States and Latvia enjoy a strong bond based on our shared values and commitment to defending our liberty and freedom as NATO Allies. Thank you …

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Air Force Training Mission in Riga

Riga, June 15, 2020–The U.S. Air Force plans to conduct a training mission on Jun 15, 2020, over the Riga airport. The U.S. routinely and visibly demonstrates commitment to our Allies and partners through the global employment of our military forces. Training together with NATO Allies enhances not only the readiness of U.S. forces, but …

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Embassy donates 4,000 tests and lab equipment to Latvian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health

Riga, June 12, 2020 — U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian Ministry of Defense and the Ministry of Health with two tranches of COVID-19 test-kits and associated lab equipment, supporting 4,000 tests. The United States’ contribution (approximately $200,000) to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) solidarity fund financed the tests, which will bolster Latvia’s …

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United States European Command, U.S. Embassy, and Latvian Ministry of Defense work together to supply sanitizer and gloves to schools in Latvia

Riga, June 1, 2020 — U.S. Ambassador John Carwile presented the Latvian Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Health with one thousand liters of hand sanitizers produced by the Latvian company AS Spodrība and 22,500 pairs of non-sterile disposable gloves on May 30. Minister of Health Ilze Viņķele and Ministry of Education and Science …

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Announcement: American Spaces Video Contest – Win an iPad

The U.S. Embassy is pleased to announce a series of video contests to showcase Latvia’s creativity during this period of social distancing and to highlight the best in U.S.—Latvian relations. We invite you to use creativity, imagination, and any compatible online media (video, photo, art, etc..) to produce a vision of the Riga skyline a …

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BOOKS ARE STILL COOL!

Hello all avid readers. Looking for a good post Halloween read as the days get darker and colder from America’s most prolific scary story teller – Stephen King. His latest book, The Institute, is out and we have 8 copies to hand out to social media followers, and an opportunity to discuss the book with …

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U.S. Embassy Riga Brings Gordon Sander’s “My America 2” Photography Exhibit to Riga

Riga, September 18, 2019 – The United States Embassy in Riga is proud to support the photography exhibit “My America 2,” a retrospective of U.S. culture and life by noted photographer and writer Gordon F. Sander. U.S. Embassy Chargé d’Affaires Paul Poletes will participate in the exhibition opening. The exhibit will be on display in …

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U.S. Embassy Celebrates Exchange Program Awards

Riga, June 13, 2019 – Today, Nancy Pettit, United States Ambassador to Latvia, will honor this year’s exchange program recipients for the Fulbright, Humphrey, Benjamin Franklin fellowships, and The Teaching Excellence and Achievement Program (TEA), as well as the Studies of the United States Institute (SUSI), Baltic American Freedom Foundation Fellowships. Fulbright fellowships are being …

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Exhibit Opening: “Celebrating the Centennials of Baltic Independence and U.S. – Baltic Relations”

Riga, November 1, 2018 – The United States Embassy in Latvia is pleased to announce the opening of an exhibit titled “Celebrating the Centennials of Baltic Independence and U.S.-Baltic Relations.” The exhibit will be displayed at the National Library of Latvia’s atrium (Mūkusalas street 3, 1st floor) on November 1. The exhibit will be open …

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U.S. Embassy Riga and Adelīna Darviņa to open photo exhibition “From Coast to Coast – U.S. National Parks” in Preiļi

Rīga, 03/23/2018 – The United States Embassy in Latvia is proud to announce the opening of the “From Coast to Coast – U.S. National Parks” photo exhibition by Latvian photographer Adelīna Darviņa at the Preiļi Library, Kārsavas street 4, Preiļi, on Tuesday, April 10 at 12:00 a.m. Photographer Adelīna Darviņa and U.S. Embassy Riga Assistant …

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BOOKS ARE STILL COOL! April 20, 2018.

Hello all avid readers.  Books Are Still Cool has something special for April.  American Latvian author Ināra Vērzemniece, and non-fiction creative writing assistant professor at the University of Iowa, will herself join the post read discussion via Skype.  Her book, Among the Living and the Dead, has been critically acclaimed by the New York Times …

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U.S. Embassy Riga to open Debora La Grasse’s multi-media art exhibition “Where the Great Smoke Rises – Art inspired by Latvian folksongs” in Talsi

Riga, January 10, 2018 – The United States Embassy in Latvia is proud to announce the opening of the “Where the Great Smoke Rises – Art inspired by Latvian folksongs” multi-media art exhibit by Florida artist Deborah La Grasse at the Talsi museum exhibition hall, January 11, at 4:00 p.m. U.S. Embassy Riga Deputy Chief …

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BOOKS ARE STILL COOL! January 31, 2018.

Books Are Still Cool has a first ever – this month’s book’s author himself will host the book discussion!!! Jon A. Logan, author of Why Me? Why Not Me!, is presently serving with the US armed forces in Latvia at Lielvārde. About the book: “Decades of poor choices, dealing with tragedy, substance abuse, professional and …

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U.S. Embassy Riga and Adelīna Darviņa to open photo exhibition “From Coast to Coast – U.S. National Parks” in Rēzekne

Riga, November 27, 2017 – The United States Embassy in Latvia is proud to announce the opening of the “From Coast to Coast – U.S. National Parks” photo exhibition by Latvian photographer Adelīna Darviņa at the Rēzekne Academy of Technologies (RTA), Atbrīvošanas aleja 115 , Rēzekne on Tuesday, November 28 at 1:00 p.m. Photographer Adelīna Darviņa and U.S. …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello all avid readers. We have a nostalgic delicacy for you this April!! Mastering the Art of Soviet Cooking – A Memoir of Food and Longing by Anya Von Bremzen. The title says a lot, but not all. This fine book is the favorite recent read of Dr. Robert Kellerman, who is an associate professor …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello all avid readers. March is Women’s History Month and hence, we have chosen a Pulitzer Prize winning novel written by America’s first female recipient of the Nobel Prize for Literature. Pearl Buck’s The Good Earth!!! This is our guest speaker’s favorite book of all time and he is ready to share his insights and …

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Books Are Still Cool

Hello all avid readers. Hello all avid readers. Isn’t this the perfect weather for cozying up with a good book? November’s book was chosen by Member of the Saeima Atis Lejiņš who will also be our guest speaker. An adventurous person who twice travelled to Afghanistan during the Soviet invasion to seek out captured Latvian …

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Books Are Still Cool

Hello all avid readers. We are back with one book for this Olympic summer!!! What at first seemed like an ideal location, Rio, is now beset with troubles and controversy. We thought an appropriate book would take a look back at another Olympiad beset with controversy; hence, this summer’s book is Nazi Games – The …

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Books Are Still Cool

Hello avid readers. It’s November and once again it’s time to focus on entrepreneurship. During November the U.S. State Department celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week and our Embassy is organizing a host of activities including our monthly book club. This month’s award winning book, The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People: Powerful Lessons in Personal Change …

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Calling All Tech Entrepreneurs!

Are you a recent entrepreneur, or looking to take your business beyond Latvia? In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the U.S. Embassy will hold our second-ever Entrepreneurship Seminar on Wednesday, November 4. We plan to bring together top local and U.S. businesspeople and thinkers on entrepreneurship and innovation for a half-day event for promising Latvian …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello all avid readers. After the summer break (and some of the autumn as well) Books Are Still Cool is back. But the best news is that our book club now has a space to call home – The John F. Kennedy reading room on the 3rd floor of the Latvian National Library with an …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello all avid readers. For the summer book and in celebration of EuroPride presently taking place in Riga, we have chosen The Price of Salt by renowned American psychological thriller author Patricia Highsmith. The post-reading discussion guest will be Rita Ruduša, a seasoned Latvian journalist, author of Forced Underground, a book about the lives of …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello all avid readers. For the months of April and May we have a real treat to read – Henry Kissinger’s World Order, “which brings together history, geography and modern politics in considering how to balance the competing desires of nations.” (New York Times book review) And, who better as our special guest for the …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello all avid readers. For the month to March, which is Women’s History Month, we have the 2014 Pulitzer Prize winning biography on offer –Margaret Fuller: A New American Life, written by the multiple awards winning author of The Peabody Sisters, this book “Delivers a lovely and bumpy coming-of-age story, one of the best such …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello all avid readers. We have a fantastic book on offer for February, which is also Black History Month.Death of a King – New York Times bestselling author and award-winning broadcaster Tavis Smiley recounts the final 365 days of King’s life, revealing the minister’s trials and tribulations. The post-reading discussion will be hosted by Assistant …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello all avid readers. We have a great books for January – BUSTED – A Tale of Corruption and Betrayal in the City of Brotherly Love, by Pulitzer Prize winners Wendy Ruderman and Barbara Laker. Lisa Scottline wrote of the book, “Busted reads like a turbocharged thriller, and the more compelling because it’s true.” We …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello avid readers. It’s November and once again it’s time to focus on entrepreneurship. During November the U.S. State Department celebrates Global Entrepreneurship Week and our Embassy is organizing a host of activities including our monthly book club. This month’s award winning book, Big Bang Disruption – Business Survival in the Age of Constant Innovation, …

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Calling All Entrepreneurs!

CALLING ALL ENTREPRENEURS! October 28, 2014 Are you a recent entrepreneur, or looking to take your business beyond Latvia? In celebration of Global Entrepreneurship Week, the U.S. Embassy will become a “business incubator for a day” and host an Entrepreneurship Seminar on Thursday, November 13. Top local and U.S. businesspeople and thinkers on entrepreneurship and …

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Books Are Still Cool!

The summer is almost over and the balmy weather is turning towards the cooler side – perhaps it’s time for a good book? Luckily BOOKS ARE STILL COOL is back from summer break to offer you a New York Times bestseller & this club’s first Pulitzer Prize willing book! This book will take us to …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello avid readers and this month also – lovers of good food! May’s book is the bestselling memoir by the New York a chef Marcus Samuelsson – Yes, Chef. If that doesn’t fill your plate, Riga’s own American-Latvian chef Kārlis Celms, and San Francisco’s Le Cordon Bleu College of Culinary Arts graduate, will host the …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello avid readers and this month also art lovers! April’s book is a biographic look at the American painter and draftsman Jean-Michel Basquiat (1960-1988). This retrospect on Basquiat contains hundreds of high quality prints as well as interesting insights by those he shared his tumultuous eight years in the New York art scene – including …

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Readout of the Vice President’s Meeting with Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma of Latvia

April 29, 2014 THE WHITE HOUSE Office of the Vice President Vice President Biden met today with Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma in the White House. The Vice President underscored the United States’ ironclad commitment to the collective defense of our NATO Allies under Article 5. Prime Minister Straujuma thanked the United States for its …

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Remarks to the Press by Vice President Joe Biden, President Dalia Grybauskaite of Lithuania, and President Andirs Berzins of Latvia

March 19, 2014 Presidential Palace Vilnius, Lithuania 1:20 P.M. (Local) PRESIDENT GRYBAUSKAITE: (As interpreted.) Good afternoon. So today we had an important meeting with U.S. Vice President Biden and Latvian President Berzins. With our partners, we discussed the situation in Ukraine and its impact on the security of the Baltic States and Europe as a …

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Women Play a Central Role in Peace

John Kerry, U.S. Secretary of State International Women’s Day is more than a moment marked on a calendar. It is a day not just to renew our determination to make the world a more peaceful and prosperous place – but to recognize that a world where opportunities for women grow, is a world where the …

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Setting the Record Straight on Ukraine

March 6, 2014 Claim: We need to return to the February 21 agreement, which the opposition failed to implement. Response: As part of the agreement, the Ukrainian Parliament (the Rada) passed a bill to return Ukraine to the 2004 Constitution. Under the terms of the agreement, Yanukovych had 24 hours to sign this legislation, after …

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2014 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award

February 13, 2014 The U.S. Embassy nominates Iluta Lace, Director of the Marta Resource Center for Women, for the 2014 Secretary of State’s International Women of Courage Award. Iluta Lace has demonstrated exceptional courage in raising awareness and advocating for legal protections for victims of domestic violence and human trafficking. Under Iluta’s leadership, a dedicated …

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Books Are Still Cool!

This month, we invite you, our social media followers, to take part in our monthly American reading experience BOOKS ARE STILL COOL! We have read some very interesting books in 2013, and many interesting books, including best sellers have been ordered up for 2014, so don’t be shy and sign up. This month’s book will …

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Books Are Still Cool!

Hello avid readers. For February, which is also Black History Month, Books Are Still Cool took a road trip to Daugavpils where we read Toni Morrison’s Pulitzer Prize winning Beloved. Our special guest and major fan of the book, George Steel e gave the reading group in Daugavpils deep insights into African-American culture. For March, …

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