This week Latvia’s Ministry of Defence announced that state defence service will be restored in the country to ensure as many residents as possible are taught at least basic military skills.
Residents are divided on this. Some claim it will be a wasted year, others – that Latvian men have needed this for a long time and this move is necessary in the current geopolitical situation.
The government in Britain was shaken considerably this week. Multiple ministers stepped down and requested the dismissal of Boris Johnson from his position as the country’s prime minister. He also announced his decision to step down as leader of the Conservative Party. This means the end of his career as PM. He will remain in this post until autumn, however.
The Central Statistical Bureau of Latvia has reported that inflation in Latvia has reached 19.3%.
BNN gives you a summery of the most relevant events of the past week in the following topics: Mandatory service; Kindergartens in latvia; Johnson steps down; Killed children; Gas in Europe; Prices rise in Latvia.
MANDATORY SERVICE
No need to put life on hold for a year. Four options to get through state defence service
Photo: Evija Trifanova/LETAThe requirement for Latvian citizens to go through state defence service, which will take one year of life of a young man, does sound slightly scary, because Latvian residents are used to planning their life without entering military service.
However, the Ministry of Defence has multiple options for residents to learn military skills.
Recruits will be able to pick one of four options:
state defence service;
commander’s course at university;
alternative service;
National Guard.
In the first three options, training will be conducted over a course of 12 months, with one month of free time in the middle, as well as weekend home stay.
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KINDERGARTENS IN LATVIA
Municipal kindergartens in Latvia to open up 601 new spots for children
Photo: UnsplashLatvian Cabinet of Ministers has approved the list submitted by Ministry of Environment Protection and Regional Development (VARAM) containing municipal investment projects for the construction of new kindergartens and expansion of new ones. The suggestion from the ministry also includes allocation of budget loans.
Six investment projects are to receive state aid – EUR 11.52 million.
In accordance to the decision made by the Cabinet of Ministers on 14 December 2021, municipalities submitted investment project suggestions to VARAM for the construction of new pre-school institution or expansion of existing ones.
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JOHNSON STEPS DOWN
Britain’s Boris Johnson steps down as leader of Conservatives; will remain PM until autumn
British PM Boris Johnson. Photo: REUTERS/SCANPIXBritish PM Boris Johnson plans to stand down as leader of the Conservative party. He will continue serving as PM until autumn, as reported by BBC.
He is preparing to appoint new ministers to replace those who left in protest to his management.
Johnson plans to remain in Downing Street until a new Tory leader has been elected as new PM.
At the same time, many Tory MPs are urging him to leave as soon as possible to avoid government paralysis.
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KILLED CHILDREN
Russian army blamed for deaths of at least 346 children
Photo: EPA/SCANPIXSince the start of the Russian-Ukrainian war at least 346 children have been killed in attacks carried out by Russian forces. At least 645 have received injuries of various severity, as reported by the Ukrainian Prosecutor General’s Office on Wednesday, 6 July.
In Donetsk at least 346 children were either killed or injured, 186 in Kharkiv, 116 in Kyiv, 68 in Chernihiv, 68 in Luhansk, 53 in Mykolaiv, 52 in Kherson and 31 in Zaporizhzhia.
Ukrainian authorities report that 2 108 education institutions were severely damaged in artillery and air bombings. 215 of them were completely destroyed.
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GAS IN EUROPE
Gas price in Europe reaches its highest level in four months
Photo: Paula Čurkste/LETAThe price of gas on the European exchange reached its peak of the past four months on Tuesday, 5 July. This is largely due to concerns about supplies because of the war in Ukraine.
The gas price in the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) virtual trading point reached approximately 175 EUR/MWh, which is the highest it has been since March.
Compared to Monday, the gas price has increased by about 8%.
More here
PRICES RISE IN LATVIA
Gas price in Europe reaches its highest level in four months
Photo: UnsplashThe price of gas on the European exchange reached its peak of the past four months on Tuesday, 5 July. This is largely due to concerns about supplies because of the war in Ukraine.
The gas price in the Dutch Title Transfer Facility (TTF) virtual trading point reached approximately 175 EUR/MWh, which is the highest it has been since March.
Compared to Monday, the gas price has increased by about 8%.
More here
BNN summary of the week: Mandatory military service returns. Inflation in Latvia. Johnson steps down
