24 April 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

A court in Panevėžys on Friday remanded Justina Gaigalaitė, the former wife of murdered ambulance paramedic Mantas Sadauskas, in custody for two months and released Vilius Solkanas on 5,000 euros bail. Prosecutors in the same case are investigating murder, unlawful detention and illegal firearm possession, while new reporting has added details about how Sadauskas was killed and the involvement of minors. In Utena, police found a woman dead in a house on Thursday with signs of violence and detained an intoxicated male relative born in the 1980s. Prosecutors are now deciding on pre-trial detention as a homicide investigation proceeds.

Lithuania’s parliament on Friday stripped Saulius Skvernelis of immunity, clearing the way for prosecutors to bring bribery charges in the Agricultural Service case. Prosecutors say the investigation links him to at least 51,000 euros in suspected kickbacks channelled through his former aide Agnė Silickienė over decisions affecting the service and its then director Jurijus Kornijenko. Prosecutors are also seeking to press charges against Gintautas Paluckas, and President Gitanas Nausėda said he trusted law enforcement on that process.

Lithuania said on Thursday it will buy additional AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles after the U.S. State Department approved the deal. The package could be worth up to $214 million, or about 183 million euros, and will reinforce NASAMS-based air defence and NATO’s ability to counter aerial threats. Police are also continuing a probe into expired food with falsified use-by dates reaching treatment and care facilities, in a scheme linked to goods worth more than 1 million euros. In Vilnius, the Kapitel site has passed to new owners who plan to build a bank headquarters there, parliament’s Culture Committee is continuing work on amendments to the LRT governance law, part of Lithuania’s solar and wind parks face possible grid disconnection after May 31, and Pigu chief Dainius Liulys said the company has moved from losses of about 2 million euros a month to near break-even.

Late in the evening, the biggest political development was a request to strip Prime Minister Gintautas Paluckas of legal immunity and news that charges were brought against Saulius Skvernelis. Another significant late event was a storm warning, with forecasters saying a powerful system could disrupt transport and power supply across parts of Lithuania.

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

The murder of Mantas Sadauskas involving minors – a horrifying nightmare; proposal may sound cynical.

A Panevėžio court on April 24, 2026 ordered two months of pre-trial detention for one suspect in the killing of 33-year-old paramedic Mantas Sadauskas. Two other suspects, including his former spouse, were also brought before judges as investigators pressed for custody measures after his body was found in a farmhouse in the Panevėžys district. Prosecutors sought three months’ detention for two of the suspects, and the probe is also looking at other possible offences.

Why it matters

The case now directly affects Sadauskas’s children and close relatives, who need clarity on what happened and on the suspects’ legal status in the coming weeks. If the detention orders stand, investigators will be able to keep questioning the suspects and examine whether more crimes were involved.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Green light from the US: Lithuania to buy Sidewinder missiles for about 180 million euros

Lithuania said on Thursday it will buy additional AIM-9X Block II Sidewinder missiles after the U.S. State Department approved the deal. The package could be worth up to $214 million, or about 183 million euros, and the missiles are compatible with NASAMS air-defence systems. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said the purchase will bolster Lithuania’s layered air-defence architecture and NATO’s ability to counter aerial threats.

Why it matters

The purchase adds another layer to the air-defence shield that protects military sites and critical infrastructure from drones and cruise missiles. It also shows that Lithuania is still expanding its arsenal through U.S.-approved channels, which can speed up fielding and replenishment.

sources:lrytas.lt

Crime

Scandal in treatment and care facilities: patients fed illegally, using expired products

Lithuanian police launched a probe on Jan. 22, 2024 into food with falsified expiry dates reaching treatment and care facilities. Investigators said the scheme involved expired products and illegal distribution after an international operation tied to goods worth more than 1 million euros. Authorities are now tracing the supply chain and checking which institutions may have received the products.

Why it matters

The case affects patients, elderly residents and people in long-term care, where food safety rules are tight. If expiry-date fraud is confirmed in the supply chain, facilities may have to scrap products, tear up contracts and switch suppliers.

sources:lrytas.lt

Crime

Conflict within Utena family ended in murder – woman died, intoxicated suspect in custody

Police in Utena found a woman dead in a house on Thursday, with signs of violence, and detained a suspect born in the 1980s. Initial data indicate the pair were related, and officers recorded the suspect as intoxicated after the arrest. A homicide investigation is under way, and prosecutors will decide on pre-trial detention and the next procedural steps.

Why it matters

Cases like this trigger rapid witness interviews, forensic work and a review of whether violence in the household had already been visible. If prosecutors seek remand, the suspect will stay in custody in the coming days while investigators map the timeline and cause of death.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

Prosecutors file charges against S. Skvernelis in bribery case involving Agricultural Service

Lithuania's parliament on April 24, 2026 stripped Saulius Skvernelis of immunity, clearing the way for prosecutors to file bribery charges in the Agricultural Service case. Prosecutors say the investigation links him to at least 51,000 euros in suspected kickbacks passed through his former aide Agnė Silickienė. The alleged payments were tied to decisions affecting the service and its then director, Jurijus Kornijenko, and the move could force Skvernelis out of his party leadership role if charges are formally brought.

Why it matters

The case could destabilise the leadership of Democrats for Lithuania and complicate parliamentary work, because one of the country's most visible politicians is now facing formal suspicion. It also matters to companies that rely on phytosanitary certificates, since the alleged scheme centered on decisions affecting the movement of plants and plant products.

sources:vz.lt tv3.lt 15min.lt

Crime

About the murder of M. Sadauskas — neighbor's account of one of the suspects: I imagine he may not have known

A court in Panevėžys on Thursday remanded Mantas Sadauskas's former wife, Justina Gaigalaitė, in custody for two months and released Vilius Solkanas on a 5,000-euro bail in the investigation into the killing of the 31-year-old ambulance paramedic. A neighbour in Paliukai said nothing in the area looked suspicious and that she only realised something was wrong when police vehicles began arriving. Prosecutors are still working out each suspect's role in a case being pursued for murder, unlawful detention and illegal possession of a firearm.

Why it matters

For residents of Paliukai, the case shows the killing may have happened right next door, and the custody decisions will shape how quickly investigators pin down who did what. If prosecutors prove the crime involved close personal ties and a farmhouse used to hide the body, it will affect the long-term safety of Sadauskas's children and relatives, as well as the direction of the trial.

sources:lrytas.lt

Europe

Summary

Odesa was hit again by Russian drone strikes today, killing at least two people, damaging residential buildings and starting fires in several districts. Rescue crews were searching for people under the debris, while the wider Odesa region has faced repeated attacks this week on civilian infrastructure and energy facilities. Ukraine and Russia exchanged 193 prisoners of war over the past day. In the Kherson region, Russian drones again targeted civilians today, and at least five people were killed in other strikes across Ukraine.

EU leaders used an informal summit in Cyprus yesterday to discuss new ways to curb energy prices and reduce reliance on external suppliers. After Hungary dropped its veto, Brussels was able to move forward talks on a €90 billion loan for Ukraine and a 20th sanctions package against Russia. A separate fuel-price comparison shows the cheapest fuel in the EU is currently in Poland and Malta. A leaked Pentagon email says the Trump administration is weighing punishment for NATO allies that do not back the war with Iran, including a possible suspension of Spain’s membership.

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake struck off Crete today, and Greek authorities are checking coastal areas and tsunami risk. In Moscow yesterday, Vladimir Putin acknowledged that Russia’s economy shrank 1.8% in the first two months of the year, while several regions have already started cutting budgets. Activists say seven torture chambers were set up for workers at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear plant. In Marseille, scientists identified previously unseen structures resembling animal hides.

Polish fighters intercepted two Russian Su-30 aircraft over the Baltic Sea. The EU and the US signed a critical minerals agreement aimed at reducing dependence on China.

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

EU leaders call for new solutions to manage the energy crisis

On 23 April 2026, EU leaders used an informal summit in Cyprus to discuss how to contain energy prices and cut reliance on outside suppliers. The talks came as the bloc weighed Ukraine funding and a new sanctions package on Russia, with energy still one of the most sensitive parts of the file. Hungary’s decision to drop its veto opened the way for discussion of a 90 billion euro loan for Ukraine and the 20th sanctions package, raising expectations of faster moves in Brussels.

Why it matters

Households and firms are exposed through power bills, heating costs and fuel prices. If the EU lands on tighter price tools and joint purchasing, pressure in energy markets could ease in the coming months.

sources:vz.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine: Russia drone strikes hit residential buildings in Odessa

On April 24, 2026, Russian drone strikes damaged residential buildings in Odesa, with local officials reporting fires and emergency work in several districts. The Black Sea port city has already been hit repeatedly this week, with strikes also targeting civilian infrastructure and energy facilities in the wider Odesa region. Rescue crews were checking for people trapped under debris and assessing structural damage before repairs could begin.

Why it matters

For Odesa residents, the strikes pose direct risks to apartments, heating systems and power supply, because the attacks are hitting residential districts. For the port city, repeated drone raids stretch emergency crews and make day-to-day civilian life harder across southern Ukraine.

sources:lrytas.lt

Environment

5.8 magnitude earthquake near Crete

A 5.8-magnitude earthquake hit off the coast of Crete on April 24, 2026. The island sits on the Hellenic Arc, one of Europe’s most active seismic zones, where the African and Eurasian plates meet. So far, there have been no confirmed reports of damage or injuries, and authorities typically check coastal areas and tsunami risk after shocks of this size.

Why it matters

For residents and coastal businesses, the immediate issue is inspection for cracks, landslides and short-term disruption to ports and roads. If tsunami warnings were triggered, hotels, fishers and ferry services along Crete’s coast would be affected straight away.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Pentagon letter threatens NATO countries: Spain’s membership could be suspended

A leaked Pentagon email published on April 24 says the Trump administration is weighing punishment for NATO allies that do not back the war with Iran, including a possible suspension of Spain’s membership. The note puts allied access to the alliance on the table at a moment when Washington and Madrid are already at odds over defence spending and support for US operations. If the idea moves beyond internal drafting, it would turn NATO membership into a direct lever for US pressure over an external conflict.

Why it matters

For NATO allies, the message is that membership could be tied not just to collective defence, but to support for a US military campaign. For Europe, that raises immediate stakes for base access, joint planning and political autonomy inside the alliance.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Putin couldn't hold back – acknowledged the truth about one thing

On April 23 in Moscow, Vladimir Putin publicly demanded explanations for Russia’s worsening macroeconomic numbers and acknowledged that the economy shrank 1.8% in the first two months of this year. The session came as Kremlin revenues are being squeezed by Ukrainian strikes and a fresh EU sanctions package, while officials are already warning that full-year growth may be just 1.3%. Several Russian regions have started cutting budgets, putting more pressure on the Kremlin to fund its war economy.

Why it matters

For Russian regions, it means less money for roads, welfare and public services as Moscow diverts more cash to the war and to offset sanctions. If revenues keep falling, the squeeze will deepen for businesses and households already facing slower growth and tighter fiscal policy.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Political scientist: Russia is a big state, if China tells it to dance, it won't ask 'how high?'

A Lithuanian political scientist said in Vilnius that Russia remains too large and too important for China to treat it like a subordinate. The comment comes as Western capitals weigh how far Beijing is willing to keep backing Moscow through trade, energy and diplomatic cover. The key question now is whether China can pressure Russia without breaking the partnership it uses to challenge the West.

Why it matters

European diplomats are watching how far Beijing can go in leaning on Moscow, because that helps determine Russia’s energy income and sanction resilience. If Chinese trade stays intact, Russia keeps access to hard currency and technology channels that are hard for the West to shut down.

sources:lrt.lt

World

Summary

The United Nations said on April 24 that Israel’s military operations in Lebanon may amount to war crimes. The UN rights office cited civilian deaths and widespread destruction in the south, including damage to homes, water and sanitation networks, farmland, heritage sites and places of worship.

Iranian state television on Wednesday aired the first public message from new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei, but he did not appear on camera. U.S. and Israeli strikes wounded him, and Tehran has still not disclosed his whereabouts. The U.S. military is drawing up a concentrated bombing plan if the fragile truce with Iran collapses. The option focuses on a limited set of military and nuclear targets, while the Pentagon is separately preparing possible strikes on Iranian targets in the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump said on April 23 he was not considering nuclear weapons against Iran, and the White House is waiting for Tehran’s response to a new offer of talks on its nuclear programme.

The State Department on April 24 offered up to $10 million for information on Abu Ala al-Wala’i, the leader of Iraq’s Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada. Washington says the Iran-aligned group attacked U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq, U.S. military bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria, and killed Iraqi civilians.

The White House on April 23 accused China-linked actors of industrial-scale efforts to extract capabilities from U.S. frontier AI systems and copy them into rival models. Michael Kratsios said the campaigns use intermediaries and other tactics to avoid detection, and China’s foreign ministry rejected the allegations on April 24.

The White House said U.S. envoys are heading to Pakistan for talks with Iran. Volodymyr Zelenskiy discussed defence cooperation in Saudi Arabia and later arrived in Azerbaijan for security and energy talks, according to a Kyiv official.

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

UN rights office: Israel committed war crimes in Lebanon

The UN human rights office said on April 24 that Israel’s military operations in Lebanon may amount to war crimes, citing civilian deaths and widespread destruction across the south. It said homes, water and sanitation networks, farmland, heritage sites and places of worship were hit, while thousands of people were forced out. The office called for fast, impartial investigations, putting fresh pressure on Lebanon’s leaders and Israel’s allies to press for accountability and a ceasefire.

Why it matters

For families in south Lebanon, the issue is immediate: the destruction of water, sanitation and housing infrastructure delays return and recovery. If investigations move forward, they could increase international pressure on Israel over target selection and on any future compensation for civilians.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Report: Iran's new Supreme Leader seriously injured and in hiding

Iranian state media on April 23 aired the first public message from new Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei since he took office, but he did not appear on camera and the statement was read by an anchor. U.S. and Israeli strikes wounded him, and his whereabouts have not been disclosed since the attacks. The broadcast was a tightly controlled attempt to show continuity as Tehran weighs talks over ending the war.

Why it matters

Iran’s bargaining power now depends on whether it can convince rivals that decisions still flow from the top despite the leader’s injury. If his condition keeps him off camera and in hiding, more power shifts to the security machine and behind-the-scenes advisers.

sources:lrt.lt

Politics

Trump rejects possibility of using nuclear weapons against Iran

Donald Trump said on April 23, 2026 that he was not considering nuclear weapons in any conflict with Iran. The comment came as Washington keeps up pressure on Tehran over its nuclear programme and tries to block any restart of uranium enrichment. The White House is now waiting for Iran's response to the latest U.S. push for talks, and the remark narrows the space for speculation about an extreme military option.

Why it matters

For Iran and U.S. allies, the signal lowers the risk of nuclear escalation and leaves room for conventional military or diplomatic moves. Oil markets and Gulf security planners will read it as a sign that Washington is ruling out the most extreme strike option.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Washington accuses China of stealing US AI technologies, Beijing denies the accusations

On April 23, the White House accused China-linked actors of running industrial-scale efforts to strip capabilities from U.S. frontier AI systems and copy them into rival models. Michael Kratsios said the campaigns use intermediaries and other tactics to evade detection, while China’s foreign ministry rejected the allegations on April 24. Washington says it will share intelligence with U.S. AI firms and help them harden their defenses ahead of Donald Trump’s planned trip to Beijing.

Why it matters

U.S. AI firms now face the prospect of tighter government warnings and stronger defenses as Washington treats the issue as an IP and security risk. The row adds another hurdle to already fragile U.S.-China talks ahead of a high-level meeting in Beijing.

sources:15min.lt lrt.lt

Politics

Iran war. ‘Concentrated bombing campaign’: U.S. forces prepare Plan B if truces fail

The US military is drawing up a concentrated bombing plan if the fragile truce with Iran collapses, according to US media reports. The option would focus on a limited set of military and nuclear targets rather than a ground campaign. It comes as Washington and Tehran trade warnings over talks and possible retaliation.

Why it matters

Iran’s nuclear sites and the region’s oil flows are tied to fuel prices in Europe. If the truce breaks down, US allies in the Middle East would also face renewed pressure to brace for another round of missile and drone strikes.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

US offers $10 million reward for leader of Iraqi armed group

On April 24, the State Department offered up to $10 million for information on Abu Ala al-Wala’i, the head of Kataib Sayyid al-Shuhada, an Iran-aligned armed group in Iraq. Washington says the group has attacked U.S. diplomatic facilities in Iraq, as well as U.S. military bases and personnel in Iraq and Syria, and has killed Iraqi civilians. The bounty adds pressure on Tehran-backed militias as the U.S. keeps targeting groups it blames for strikes on its forces and missions in the region.

Why it matters

For Iraq, the reward puts fresh pressure on officials to curb armed groups that operate outside state control. For the U.S. and its allies, it is a intelligence tool that could trigger defections, arrests, or new information on the militia’s network.

sources:delfi.lt