This week all three Baltic States celebrated the 33rd anniversary of the Baltic Way, and it was on this day that Latvia commenced the demolition of the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders. Two days later, on 25 August, most of Latvia was following the live broadcast from Victory Park to see the biggest reminder of Soviet occupation in Baltic States toppled.
Finally the remaining part of the monument complex – the 79 m tall obelisk was toppled, crashing into the pond exactly as the crew had calculated.
On 24 August Ukraine celebrated Independence Day. This year it passed under the shadow of war. This day also marked half a year since the start of the war. The west is trying to help with supplies of arms, and Ukraine is grateful, but sometimes it seems the process is too slow, since every day is decisive on the battlefield.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Awaited fall; Gas; Dugina killed; Electricity in Lithuania; Euro’s fall; Six months of war.
AWAITED FALL
VIDEO | 79 m tall obelisk of Soviet Victory Monument toppled in Pārdaugava
Photo: Edijs Pālens/LETAOn Thursday, 25 August, the remaining element of the Monument to the Liberators of Soviet Latvia and Riga from the German Fascist Invaders – the 79 m tall obelisk – was toppled.
The tall obelisk was toppled and disappeared from Pārdaugava’s panorama view at 16:42 p.m. local time.
More here
GAS
Latvijas Gāze to discontinue equalised payment option
Photo: UnsplashFrom mid-September 2022 Latvijas gāze JSC (LG) will no longer offer equalised payment option to consumers in the country, according to the company’s published announcement regarding the payment order for gas users and households that are supplied with natural has as part of the final guaranteed supply service.
The published payment order published in the Latvian Herald no longer mentions equalised payment option.
Representatives from LG refused to comment the published announcement.
More here
DUGINA’S DEATH
Russia has accused Ukrainian special services of killing journalist Darya Dugina
Photo: EPA/ScanpixRussia has accused Ukrainian special services of killing the daughter of one of Vladimir Putin’s allies, as reported by broadcaster BBC.
Journalist Darya Dugina, aged 29, died on Saturday when a car she was driving exploded near Moscow.
Her father, Alexander Dugin, a prominent ultra–nationalist thought to be close to the Russian president, may have been the intended target.
More here
ELECTRICITY IN LITHUANIA
Lithuania produces three times less electricity than it consumes
Photo: FlickrLithuania produces three times less electricity than it consumes. One of Europe’s largest electricity generation deficits exacerbates the already soaring electricity prices, experts say in accordance with Lithuanian public media LRT.
The origins of the cause is to be searched on December 31, 2009, when the second reactor of the Ignalina Nuclear Power Plant (NPP), which met 70% of Lithuania’s electricity need, was shut down.
Ignalina NPP, Lithuania’s sole nuclear plant, had to be closed as a precondition for the country to join the EU, as it was considered unsafe for its reactor – same as in Chernobyl.
More here
EURO’S FALL
Euro drops below US dollar yet again
Photo: PexelsOn Monday, 22 August, Euro value dropped below that of US dollar again.
Euro value dropped below that of US dollar for the first time in 20 years in July.
Euro value dropped to 0.9990 USD/EUR on Monday morning.
Forecasts that the US Federal Reserve System would stick to its base interest rate increase plans contributed to this drop.
More here
SIX MONTHS OF WAR
Zelenskiy: Ukraine was reborn as a new nation when Russia invaded
Photo: REUTERS/ScanpixUkraine was «reborn» as a new nation when Russia invaded six months ago, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Wednesday, August 24, marking 31 years of his country’s independence with a vow to drive Russian forces out completely, as reported by news agency Reuters.
After days of warnings that Moscow could use the anniversary of Ukraine’s Independence Day to launch more missile attacks on major cities, Kyiv was unusually quiet and the second biggest city Kharkiv was under curfew after months of bombardment.
In an emotional speech to his compatriots, Zelenskiy said the attack had revived the nation’s spirit.
More here
BNN summary of the week: Toppled obelisk. Six months of war. Euro value
