19 April 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

Parliament on Friday allowed the Vilnius-based International American School to lease public property for up to 99 years. The English-language school, which has operated in Vilnius since 2004, now gets a much longer horizon for premises planning and capital investment.

Domestic politics is still dominated by the Saulius Skvernelis case. Prosecutors say he took at least €51,000 in cash in Vilnius on several occasions between June and November last year, and parliament is preparing to vote on whether to lift his immunity. The scandal has already forced a leadership reshuffle in the Democrats, with Virginijus Sinkevičius installed as interim chairman.

The retreat from Lithuania’s second-pillar pension system remains a major economic story, with about 21 per cent of savers, more than 300,000 people, filing exit requests in January. LRT says some of that cash is already turning up in furniture and phone stores, while other households are using it to pay down older loans. LRT commentator Justas Eimontas says the global grain market is still being driven by war-disrupted export routes, even as better wheat forecasts in Ukraine and Kazakhstan partly offset weaker Australian yields.

In foreign policy, Kęstutis Budrys reaffirmed Lithuania’s support for Gulf states after Iranian attacks and noted that about 1,000 Lithuanian citizens were in the UAE at the time. In sport, Gerdas Babarskas reached the German Cup final with Bergischer. Over the past day, four bodies were found across several municipalities, police in Klaipėda searched for a missing teenage girl, and 37 migrants were turned back at the Belarus border.

sources: delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, tv3.lt, lrt.lt, 15min.lt

Skvernelis scandal shakes politics: from tears to collapsing coalition

On April 16, the Lithuanian parliament received a prosecutor's request to lift Saulius Skvernelis' immunity over bribery allegations. Prosecutors say he accepted at least 51,000 euros in cash in Vilnius on multiple occasions between June and November 12, 2025. The case has already forced the Democrats to reshuffle their leadership, with Virginijus Sinkevičius named interim chairman on April 10, and lawmakers are now preparing to vote on whether criminal proceedings can go ahead.

Why it matters

The Democrats' votes still matter in the Seimas majority, so the case can affect budget, tax and legislative votes. If immunity is lifted, the party will have to manage a legal fight and a political crisis at the same time.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Revealed where Arūnas Valinskas used II pillar pension funds

LRT reported that in the first three days after Lithuania’s new second-pillar pension rules took effect, the biggest wave of withdrawal requests came in January, and some of the cash is already showing up in furniture and phone stores. The Lithuanian Association of Investment and Pension Funds says about 21 per cent of savers, more than 300,000 people, filed exit requests in January. Retailers are seeing stronger footfall, while some households are using the money to pay down loans taken out early.

Why it matters

Furniture, electronics and general retail are already seeing a bump as long-term pension savings are pushed back into circulation. The trade-off is immediate consumption now against smaller retirement balances later, which will shape household finances for years.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Seimas allowed Vilnius-based International American School to rent public property for up to 99 years

On April 18, 2026, parliament approved a measure allowing the Vilnius International American School to sign a long lease on public property for up to 99 years. The school has operated in Vilnius since 2004 and teaches in English under international curricula, and its staffing has already been at the centre of a separate language dispute in Lithuania. The decision gives the school a far longer horizon for planning premises and capital spending than a standard lease would allow.

Why it matters

Families at international schools in Vilnius gain more certainty over places and continuity. The long lease could also shape how the capital balances public property use against private school expansion.

sources:lrt.lt

Politics

K. Budrys: Lithuania strongly condemns Iran's actions and expresses solidarity with Gulf countries

On March 2, 2026, Foreign Minister Kęstutis Budrys spoke by phone with his counterparts in the United Arab Emirates and Oman and voiced support for the Gulf states hit by Iranian attacks. Lithuania said around 1,000 Lithuanian citizens were in the UAE at the time, and the foreign ministry urged people to avoid travel to Iran, Jordan and Gulf countries. Vilnius also said Iran must not be allowed to develop nuclear weapons, pointing to a harder line likely to be pressed in EU and regional talks.

Why it matters

Lithuanian citizens and businesses in the Middle East depend on safe air links and working diplomatic channels with the UAE and Oman. Any renewed escalation would hit travelers, supply chains and oil markets, all of which react quickly to instability in the Gulf.

sources:lrytas.lt delfi.lt 15min.lt

Economy

Justas Eimontas. Global grain market unsettled by military conflicts

On April 19, 2026, LRT carried Justas Eimontas’s take on a grain market still being pushed around by war-linked trade routes. He said world wheat output had been raised on better crop prospects in Ukraine and Kazakhstan, though weaker Australian yields offset part of that gain. The next swing will depend on whether export corridors stay open and whether buyers shift orders to other origins, which would move prices fast in the weeks ahead.

Why it matters

Bread, feed and pasta prices are driven less by the harvest itself than by whether grain from the Black Sea region reaches buyers without disruption. When those routes are squeezed, millers, feed makers and livestock producers across Europe face higher input costs.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Range. Lithuanian division – combat flag and what a modern defense company looks like

On April 12, Lithuania's 1st Division received its combat flag in Ukmergė, with brigades 'Geležinis Vilkas' and 'Žemaitija' and the Engineering Battalion transferred under its command. The division is still being built out with a new brigade, air defence, artillery and engineering regiments, plus tank and infantry fighting vehicle battalions. The army says the aim is to give Lithuania materially stronger combat power, but key capabilities are still on order or in formation.

Why it matters

It affects how fast Lithuania can turn a paper division into a fully usable force. The timeline depends on procurement, training grounds and the delivery of heavy equipment, so delays will shape the country’s actual readiness.

sources:delfi.lt

Europe

Summary

Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on April 19 that Russia launched more than 1,700 attack drones, more than 1,380 guided bombs and 69 missiles at Ukraine over the past week. He said the strikes hit cities and energy infrastructure, while Kyiv pressed allies for faster deliveries of air-defence systems and tougher pressure on Moscow. In Kyiv on April 18, Zelenskyy also said Russia was building a new offensive axis before any talks, and Britain’s defence ministry said Moscow was expanding Shahed launch sites across several locations.

An investigation linked FSB officers tied to the poisoning of Alexei Navalny to Russia’s state doping programme. In Bulgaria’s parliamentary election, exit poll data showed former prime minister Boyko Borissov’s GERB party in the lead.

sources: delfi.lt, tv3.lt, lrt.lt, vz.lt, 15min.lt, lrytas.lt

Zelenskiy: Russia fired over 2,000 drones, bombs and missiles in a week

Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on April 19, 2026 that Russia fired more than 1,700 attack drones, more than 1,380 guided bombs and 69 missiles at Ukraine over the past week. He said the strikes hit cities and energy infrastructure, and Kyiv is pressing allies to step up air defences. Zelenskiy also called for heavier pressure on Moscow and faster deliveries of air-defence systems as Russia keeps the pace of attacks high.

Why it matters

Ukrainian civilians and the power grid remain the main targets. The volume of strikes means more outages, faster depletion of air-defence stocks and greater demand for Western interceptors and missiles.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Main pillar of the Eurasian Economic Union knocked from beneath its feet

Russia’s economy minister said on April 19, 2026 that the country is on the brink of recession, putting the Eurasian Economic Union’s biggest market under fresh strain. The warning matters because Russia remains the bloc’s anchor for demand, finance and transport links. Higher rates, weak investment and softer household demand are now squeezing activity at the very centre of the union. If the downturn deepens, smaller member states will feel it first through weaker exports and slower cross-border trade.

Why it matters

Smaller EAEU members sell more into Russia than into any other bloc market, so weaker Russian demand quickly feeds into their factories and jobs. It also leaves governments in Minsk, Astana, Yerevan and Bishkek with less room to balance budgets without fresh borrowing or help from Moscow.

sources:vz.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine. In Chernihiv, a 16-year-old was killed by a Russian strike

A Russian strike killed a 16-year-old boy in Chernihiv overnight on April 18-19, local authorities said. The attack hit a residential area and damaged civilian infrastructure, forcing residents into shelters for part of the night. Emergency crews were checking the area for unexploded ordnance and possible casualties after the strike.

Why it matters

For Chernihiv residents, the strike raises the risk of returning to damaged neighborhoods and slows any quick restoration of normal life. Attacks on civilian districts force the city to divert more staff to evacuations, area checks and repairs.

sources:lrt.lt tv3.lt 15min.lt delfi.lt

Politics

Ukraine sends alarming signal: Russians plotting a new plan

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on April 18 in Kyiv that Russia is building a new offensive axis and trying to improve its leverage before any talks on the war. Britain's defence ministry said the same day that Moscow is expanding launch sites for Shahed-type drones across several locations to make Ukrainian air defence harder to manage. Kyiv sees the move as an effort to strengthen Russia's hand in any negotiation and expects more drone strikes in the coming days.

Why it matters

For Ukrainian cities, that means more air-raid alerts and heavier pressure on air defences, which must cover a wider area. If the launch sites are being expanded, civilians and infrastructure become more exposed well beyond the front line.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

Fico: Lithuania and Latvia do not allow us to fly to Moscow through their airspace

Slovak Prime Minister Robert Fico said on April 19 that Lithuania and Latvia would not let his plane fly to Moscow through their airspace. The claim echoes last year's row, when the Baltic states blocked flights by leaders heading to Moscow for May 9 events, citing security concerns and heightened GPS interference in the region. If Fico is referring to a fresh trip, his route will have to be altered again because the Baltic air corridor remains closed to such political flights.

Why it matters

For Slovak officials, that means a longer and more politically charged route to Moscow if the trip goes ahead. The Baltic restrictions also affect regional diplomatic air links, forcing state flights onto detours.

sources:delfi.lt

Sports

Real Sociedad wins the Spanish Cup after a tense match and penalty drama against Atletico

Real Sociedad beat Atletico on penalties in the second leg of their Copa del Rey semi-final in San Sebastian on April 18, 2026, and booked a place in the final. The tie was level after normal time and stayed scoreless through extra time before the shootout settled it. It is Real Sociedad's first Copa del Rey final since winning the competition in 2020, and their opponent will come from the other semi-final.

Why it matters

For Real Sociedad, the win opens the door to another domestic trophy and a potential route back into European competition next season. For Atletico, the defeat removes another cup chance in a season where every point and result matters in the race for the top four in Spain.

sources:tv3.lt

World

Summary

North Korea fired several short-range ballistic missiles from the Sinpo area into the East Sea today, South Korea’s military said. Seoul said the launches were detected at 6:10 a.m. local time, called an emergency security meeting and urged Pyongyang to stop immediately.

The launches came days after the UN nuclear watchdog warned that North Korea was making very serious advances in its nuclear weapons programme. In Washington yesterday, former US Space Force commander John W. Raymond warned that China and Russia are building capabilities that could disable American satellites in the opening hours of a war. He said such a surprise strike would blind US communications, navigation and intelligence systems.

In the Middle East, Iran over the past day again rejected Donald Trump’s suggestion that a final deal with Washington is near and said an agreement remains far off. Trump said today that US negotiators will travel to Pakistan on Monday for another round of talks with Iran. Tehran says the Strait of Hormuz is only partly open to commercial shipping and has threatened to close it again if Washington keeps its blockade on Iranian vessels and ports. Trump also convened crisis talks on Iran, while attention has returned to security risks around the Strait of Hormuz and the possible impact on oil prices.

In the United States, a Reuters/Ipsos poll showed Trump’s approval at 43%, with 57% disapproving. The survey found broad resistance to his tariff policy and to his push to expand presidential power, while most respondents said his immigration crackdown has gone too far. The Florida State University shooting case is also moving through the courts after two people were killed and six wounded on campus last year. Prosecutors are seeking the death penalty for the 20-year-old suspect, who investigators said used his stepmother’s former service weapon, with trial set for October.

In Louisiana, a mass shooting killed eight children. Blue Origin launched a rocket for the first time using a previously flown booster.

sources: tv3.lt, delfi.lt, 15min.lt, lrt.lt, lrytas.lt

Latest poll shows Trump's popularity falling: widespread discontent

A Reuters/Ipsos poll conducted on March 24-25 found Trump’s approval at 43%, with 57% disapproving. The survey showed broad resistance to his tariff policy and to his push to expand presidential power. His immigration handling also fell to a new low, with most respondents saying the crackdown has gone too far.

Why it matters

Falling approval makes it harder for Trump to sell tariffs, immigration crackdowns and broader executive power grabs to Congress and to voters. If the numbers hold, Republicans will have a tougher time rallying support ahead of the November 2026 midterms.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Seoul: North Korea tested several ballistic missiles

South Korea’s military detected several short-range ballistic missiles fired from the Sinpo area of North Korea into the East Sea at 6:10 a.m. local time on April 19. The launch came days after the UN nuclear watchdog warned that North Korea was making very serious advances in its nuclear weapons effort. Seoul called an emergency security meeting and urged Pyongyang to stop the tests immediately.

Why it matters

The launches force South Korea to keep air and missile defenses on higher alert and tighten surveillance near the peninsula. They also add pressure on Japan and the United States to coordinate a faster regional response in the event of another test or a wider escalation.

sources:delfi.lt 15min.lt lrt.lt lrytas.lt tv3.lt

Crime

Shots fired at a university in the US: reports of victims

At Florida State University in Tallahassee, two people were killed and six were wounded in a campus shooting on April 17, 2025; the 20-year-old suspect was later arrested and charged. Investigators said he used his stepmother’s former service weapon, and the victims included a university employee and a food-service executive. The case is now moving through the courts, with prosecutors seeking the death penalty and trial set for October 19, 2026.

Why it matters

Florida State’s students and staff are still dealing with the fallout, while families wait for a trial that could end in a death sentence. The case also keeps the focus on gun access, because investigators say the shooter used a service weapon that had belonged to his stepmother.

sources:tv3.lt 15min.lt

Politics

US general warns: a 'Pearl Harbor in space' is being prepared

Former U.S. Space Force commander Gen. John W. Raymond warned on 2026-04-18 that China and Russia are building tools that could knock out American satellites in the opening hours of a war. He said the point would be to blind U.S. communications, navigation and intelligence, in a strike he likened to a Pearl Harbor-style surprise attack. The warning is likely to sharpen pressure on the Pentagon and allies to harden satellite networks, add backups and speed up early-warning systems.

Why it matters

For NATO members, a hit on satellites would disrupt communications, weaken air-defence coordination and cut the quality of missile and troop tracking. Civilian systems would also feel it in navigation, aviation and satellite links used by banks, energy firms and emergency services.

sources:tv3.lt

Politics

War in Iran: Tehran again denies Trump's words — 'a long way from a deal'

Donald Trump said on April 19 that U.S. negotiators will travel to Pakistan on Monday for another round of talks with Iran, even as the two sides remain deadlocked over the Strait of Hormuz and the ceasefire clock. Iranian officials say the waterway is only partly open to commercial shipping and have threatened to shut it again if Washington keeps its blockade on Iranian vessels and ports. The talks come after a fragile ceasefire began on April 8, with Trump insisting the U.S. blockade will stay in place until Tehran accepts American terms.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is one of the world's key oil shipping lanes, so any renewed closure would hit fuel prices quickly in Europe. If the ceasefire collapses, shipping restrictions and blockades could also disrupt supplies to firms that buy fuel, chemicals and other inputs from the Middle East.

sources:lrytas.lt