25 April 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

Vilnius drew several thousand protesters today against government-backed changes to the LRT law and broader moves that demonstrators say threaten press freedom. Speakers including artists and journalists attacked plans to make it easier to dismiss the public broadcaster’s chief and give politicians more influence over LRT, while the ruling bloc is preparing another parliamentary vote in the coming days.

Fitch Ratings raised Lithuania’s long-term sovereign rating to A+ from A today, its first upgrade in six years. After Scope Ratings made the same move in November, the Finance Ministry now has a stronger hand to borrow more cheaply on international bond markets. Kaunas Regional Court on Thursday refused early release for former MP Eligijus Masiulis. Lithuania’s Supreme Court also upheld the conviction of the former head of the Plant Production Service in a corruption case tied to an alleged roughly 3 million euro bribe over phytosanitary certificates.

Panevezys today began the farewell for paramedic Mantas Sadauskas, born in 1995, before burial on Sunday in Raguvele cemetery. Police and prosecutors have detained three suspects in the case, including his former wife, in an investigation covering murder, unlawful detention and illegal possession of firearms. Siauliai yesterday approved a summer kindergarten fee that can reach 516 euros a month for childcare and meals. Economist Vytenis Simkus said yesterday that energy-price shocks hit stocks and bonds first because they lift inflation and weaken growth expectations.

Police will open a pre-trial investigation after an incident following a protest in Vilnius. Caravaggio’s painting "The Taking of Christ" was brought to Lithuania from Ukraine under security escort.

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

Fitch Ratings raises Lithuania's credit rating to 'A+'

On April 25, 2026, Fitch Ratings raised Lithuania's long-term credit rating from 'A' to 'A+', its first upgrade in six years. In November 2025, Scope Ratings had already lifted Lithuania to 'A+' on the back of resilient growth and a stable fiscal outlook. The new Fitch decision should help lower the state's borrowing costs and improve the Finance Ministry's hand when it taps bond markets.

Why it matters

Cheaper sovereign funding feeds straight into the budget, because lower yields mean less spent on interest. The upgrade also matters for pension funds and other institutional investors that can only buy the safest borrowers under their mandates.

sources:vz.lt delfi.lt lrt.lt

Politics

Corruption cases in Lithuania: civil servant who took 3 million euro bribe released from prison, MPs’ cases collapsed

On April 24, 2026, Kaunas District Court refused to release former MP Eligijus Masiulis early from prison. At the same time, the Supreme Court upheld the conviction of the former head of Lithuania’s Plant Production Service in a case tied to an alleged €3 million bribery scheme over phytosanitary certificates. The wider political-corruption cases linked to MG Baltic have already been pared back, with some counts thrown out and the focus shifting to sentence execution and the remaining charges.

Why it matters

These cases determine whether convicted figures stay behind bars and whether the state can still recover proceeds linked to the graft. For companies and public institutions, the message is that permits, certificates and political influence remain under close prosecutorial scrutiny, even when parts of a case fall away.

sources:tv3.lt lrytas.lt

Politics

In Vilnius, another thousands-strong protest against the government: 'We must speak of deliberate foolishness'

Several thousand people rallied in central Vilnius on April 25, 2026, protesting government plans affecting LRT and press freedom. Speakers included artists and journalists, who attacked proposals to make it easier to remove the broadcaster’s chief and give politicians more sway over the public outlet. After earlier demonstrations, the ruling bloc has said it will press ahead, setting up another parliamentary vote in the coming days.

Why it matters

For LRT staff and independent media, the issue goes straight to editorial safeguards and management stability. If the bill passes, politicians would have a much easier route to exert pressure on the public broadcaster through its governance rules.

sources:lrytas.lt

Economy

Vytenis Šimkus. Guide to the impact of energy price shocks on investments

Vytenis Šimkus told LRT on April 24 that energy-price shocks hit bonds and stocks first, because dearer energy lifts inflation and weakens growth expectations. He said the usual portfolio hedge breaks down in that setting, while commodity prices and shares linked to energy often move the other way. He argued the global energy system has changed enough that even a fresh shock would likely be less durable than in past crises.

Why it matters

Retirement savers and other long-term investors see returns become more dependent on how well portfolios are spread across asset classes. Higher energy costs can also feed through to borrowing costs and delay corporate investment plans.

sources:delfi.lt

Society

Family and friends gather to honor tragically killed paramedic Mantas Sadauskas

Mantas Sadauskas, born in 1995, was laid out in Panevėžys at 1 p.m. on April 25, with the farewell running until 1.15 p.m. on April 26 before burial in Raguvėlė cemetery. Friends also organised a motorcycle procession, reflecting a hobby that was central to his life outside work. The ceremony comes after police and prosecutors detained three people, including his former wife, in a case being investigated as murder, unlawful detention and illegal possession of firearms.

Why it matters

The farewell has become a public moment for a local community that watched the search turn into a murder case within days. The next immediate step is the court handling of detention measures for the suspects, which will shape how the investigation moves forward.

sources:delfi.lt

Economy

€516 per month – too much? Summer kindergartens price sparks disputes

Šiauliai on April 24 approved a summer kindergarten fee that could reach €516 a month for childcare and meals, prompting a row with the opposition over the price. The city says it will keep only part of the preschool groups open over the summer, so the cost reflects staffing and catering for fewer children. The new charge is set to apply in the coming summer period, and parents are now weighing whether to pay or switch to other care options.

Why it matters

The fee hits families that need full-day care over the summer but cannot keep a parent at home. If it stands, some parents may end up comparing it with private care or a nanny, and choosing the cheaper option.

sources:delfi.lt

Europe

Summary

Dnipro suffered two Russian strikes today that killed at least six people and wounded 46. The overnight missile and drone attack sparked fires and partially destroyed apartment blocks, businesses and a private house, and rescuers are still searching the rubble for survivors.

The same residential district in Dnipro was hit again this afternoon. Three children were injured in the second strike, including a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl who were taken to hospital in moderate condition.

In the Kherson region, Russian attacks over yesterday and today killed four civilians and injured 18. Drones struck Kherson’s Korabelnyi district twice today, sending two civilians to hospital in moderate condition.

Russia also launched a fresh overnight missile and drone assault on Ukrainian cities that injured at least 18 people, including in Kyiv. In Romania, fragments of a Russian drone were found after the strikes, again bringing the war’s fallout onto NATO territory. In sport, Real Madrid beat Maccabi Tel Aviv 72-70 last night to move within one win of the next EuroLeague round after a winner in the final seconds.

Germany accused Russia of fraudulent Signal attacks targeting Bundestag lawmakers and hundreds of police accounts. Israel said four people killed in Lebanon were members of Hezbollah.

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

Casualties in Dnipro after Russian strikes rise to 46

Russian drones and missiles killed at least five people and wounded 46 in Dnipro on April 25, regional officials said. The overnight barrage sparked fires and partially destroyed several apartment blocks, businesses and a private house. Another person was killed in a separate daytime strike in the same area.

Why it matters

Civilians in Dnipro are again bearing the direct cost of the war, with damage to homes and businesses adding pressure on rescue crews, hospitals and city services. The fallout does not end with the strike itself, because authorities still have to treat the wounded, clear the wreckage and restore basic services.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Russian attacks in the Kherson region kill four civilians, 17 more injured

Russian strikes in Kherson region killed four civilians and injured 18 across April 24 and 25, according to regional authorities. One of the wounded is a woman from Poniativka, who was taken to hospital in critical condition after the previous day's attack. On April 25, Russian drones hit Kherson's Korabelnyi district twice more, sending two additional civilians to hospital in moderate condition.

Why it matters

For residents of Kherson region, the danger now extends to routine movement, work and access to care, because homes and civilian infrastructure remain under fire. Local hospitals are again absorbing casualties, while authorities must keep ambulances and evacuation crews on alert.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Russians attacked the city of Dnipro again this afternoon; three children were injured

Three children were injured in a second Russian strike on Dnipro on Saturday, including a 15-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl who were taken to hospital in moderate condition. The same city was hit earlier in the day, when at least four people were killed and rescuers were still searching the rubble for possible survivors. Local officials said both attacks struck the same residential district, damaging apartment blocks and a private house.

Why it matters

For residents of the hit district, the strikes mean fresh evacuations, disrupted utilities and children being sent to hospital after attacks on homes. Rescue teams are left searching collapsed apartments while trying to find anyone still trapped, which stretches emergency crews and medics even further.

sources:delfi.lt tv3.lt

Politics

Russian night attacks in Ukraine injure at least 18 people

Russia launched a fresh overnight missile and drone strike on Ukrainian cities on April 25, 2026, injuring at least 18 people, local officials said. The assault hit residential areas and infrastructure in multiple locations, including Kyiv, as Ukraine’s military reported another large-scale air attack. Rescue crews and medics are still working through the damage, so the casualty toll may rise.

Why it matters

Ukrainian civilians once again bore the brunt of strikes on cities and residential districts, adding pressure on hospitals, rescuers and local infrastructure. The damage also forces municipalities to divert more money to shelters, repairs and evacuations.

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

Sports

Nottingham Forest secure key win in fight for Premier League survival

Nottingham Forest beat Newcastle United 3-1 away on December 26, 2023, to end a poor run in the Premier League. Alexander Isak put Newcastle ahead from the spot in the 23rd minute, but Chris Wood hit back before half-time and then scored twice more after the break. The win lifted Forest to 16th, while Newcastle stayed seventh.

Why it matters

The three points were valuable because they gave Forest breathing room above the Premier League drop zone. Newcastle’s defeat cost them ground in the race for the European places.

sources:lrytas.lt

Sports

Real Madrid seal victory in the final seconds

Real Madrid edged Maccabi Tel Aviv 72-70 in Madrid on April 23, 2026, winning with a basket in the final seconds. Maccabi led for long stretches and still held a three-point cushion with 28 seconds left before Thomas Heurtel hit a three to pull Madrid level. The result put Real in control of the series and one step away from the next round.

Why it matters

For Maccabi, it is a missed chance to close out a game that was there to be won. For Real, the result brings a possible series-clinching opportunity in the next outing, which would extend its EuroLeague season and shorten Maccabi’s.

sources:tv3.lt

World

Summary

The U.S. military struck a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean yesterday, killing two people aboard. The attack pushed the death toll in Washington’s campaign past 180 since September, while the Pentagon has still not publicly produced evidence linking the targeted vessels to Latin American trafficking networks.

Iran said today it still holds large missile stockpiles despite the 12-day war and the U.S. is watching whether Tehran could use remaining missiles or thousands of naval mines against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel struck missile launch systems in southern Lebanon today after rockets were fired from the area into Israel and intercepted. The Israeli military said the targets were Hezbollah-linked sites selected on intelligence. Questions over U.S.-Iran contacts also returned to the agenda, but Tehran denied today that direct talks with Washington were planned.

Russia’s oil income is back in focus, but higher crude prices offer the Kremlin only a brief budget cushion. Output is slipping, investment is stalled and Ukrainian strikes on Black Sea ports and refineries are already disrupting exports. Argentina urged Britain to resume talks over the Falkland Islands, citing fresh signals from the U.S. position. Three people were killed in clashes in northeast India.

In Mali, witnesses described gunfire across several regions over the past day, including near the junta’s stronghold. Scientists from Cambridge and other European laboratories said yesterday that lab-grown coffee cells are now advanced enough to measure taste, caffeine and antioxidant levels. The next step is to scale up pilot production and refine the material for commercial sale as an alternative to coffee crops exposed to weather swings and disease.

Donald Trump said Iranian negotiators can call the United States at any time to discuss nuclear talks. Giorgia Meloni opposed any invitation for Vladimir Putin to attend the G20 summit in the United States.

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

Oil profits no longer will save Putin

Russia’s oil income has returned to the spotlight after Bloomberg argued on April 22 that higher crude prices can pad the Kremlin’s budget, but not rescue an economy edging toward recession. The problem is not just price. Output is slipping, investment is stalled and Ukrainian strikes on ports and refineries are already disrupting exports in the Black Sea. For Moscow, that means a short-lived cash boost, not a durable fix for war spending and economic strain.

Why it matters

Russia still leans heavily on energy revenue, so any export disruption or price swing feeds straight into war financing and domestic spending. If oil income can no longer cover rising costs, the Kremlin faces a harder choice between a bigger deficit, higher taxes and cuts at home.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Israel attacks Hezbollah missile launch systems in Lebanon

Israel struck missile launch systems in southern Lebanon on April 25 after rockets were fired from the area into Israel and intercepted, the military said. The targets were described as Hezbollah-linked sites hit on the basis of intelligence. The raid follows weeks of friction along the border, where Israel has repeatedly gone after suspected weapons and launch positions.

Why it matters

For people in southern Lebanon, it means another round of strikes in areas where Hezbollah infrastructure sits close to civilian homes and roads. Each attack raises the risk of closures, disrupted movement and further displacement from border villages.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

At least 2 killed as US strikes ship

The U.S. military struck a suspected drug-smuggling boat in the Caribbean on April 24, killing two people aboard, officials said. The latest attack pushed the death toll from Washington’s campaign past 180 since the operations began in September. The Pentagon says the strikes target vessels tied to Latin American narcotics networks, but the administration has not publicly produced evidence for those links.

Why it matters

For regional shipping and fishing crews, the campaign raises the risk of operating near contested waters where U.S. forces are using lethal strikes. It also deepens the legal fight over whether Washington is treating a law-enforcement problem as a military one.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Iran says it still has large rocket stockpiles

U.S. and Israeli strikes in a 12-day war did not strip Iran of its missile capability, and Washington is now watching whether Tehran could use some of its remaining stocks against shipping in the Strait of Hormuz. AP said experts put Iran's mine stocks in the low thousands, while defense assessments still see it as capable of striking well beyond its borders. That leaves the region vulnerable to a new round of attacks that could quickly disrupt oil flows.

Why it matters

Shipping companies and oil buyers in the Gulf are the main exposure here, because traffic through the Strait of Hormuz carries a significant share of global energy flows. If Iran turns to attacks on shipping or nearby bases, insurance costs and supply security across the region could shift within hours.

sources:delfi.lt

Society

Palmyra: a very difficult time, communications not fitting

In Lithuania, Palmyra Galkontaitė said on April 25, 2026 that the current period is very difficult and not suited to communication. She linked that to a tense emotional climate, with people less open to dialogue and quicker to clash. Her message was to postpone sensitive talks and decisions until tempers cool.

Why it matters

People who need to settle family, work or health issues feel the strain first, because talks stall and disputes drag on. In that kind of mood, the risk of miscommunication rises, and that hits daily relationships as well as how institutions function.

sources:lrytas.lt

Technology

From a test tube – not only meat, but coffee too? Scientists reveal what’s coming next

Researchers from Cambridge and other European labs said on April 24, 2026 that lab-grown coffee cells are now far enough along to measure taste, caffeine and antioxidant levels. The work uses the same basic playbook as cultured meat: cells grown in bioreactors rather than on farms, with no harvest exposed to weather swings or crop disease. The next step is scaling up pilot production and tuning the raw material so it can be sold as an alternative to conventional coffee.

Why it matters

Coffee growers face another technology-driven squeeze in a market already hit by drought, disease and price spikes. If the product reaches shops, buyers could get a steadier supply while producers gain a lab-controlled ingredient with more predictable quality.

sources:tv3.lt