28 April 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

Vinted Group completed an €880mn secondary share sale, lifting its valuation to €8bn and placing the Lithuanian-founded resale platform among Europe’s most valuable startups. Over the past day, Lithuania’s economy ministry also set out a plan to attract €10bn of investment by 2030 and expand high value-added jobs, extending fast-track permits beyond defence to large industrial sites and free economic zones.

Fuel costs stayed at the centre of Lithuania’s transport debate as passenger carriers urged parliament to cut diesel excise on local bus routes after a 30% rise in costs. Finance minister Rimantas Šadžius is weighing a partial diesel tax rebate for international hauliers who now refuel in neighbouring countries. Biomethane is also gaining ground in heavy transport, with industry estimates showing annual savings of about €40,000 per truck and Amber Grid reporting 32.9 GWh injected into the grid in January. Lithuania now has 27 biomethane fuelling points, at least 18 of them public.

At Marijampolė’s Sūduvos Gymnasium, a juvenile student stabbed three classmates before lessons today, injuring two first-year girls and a fourth-year boy. Hospital officials said none of the three had life-threatening injuries, while police and prosecutors are investigating how the weapon entered the school. Education minister Raminta Popovienė said tighter school safety measures and pupils’ mental wellbeing would now be a priority. In Vilnius, Robertas Puchovičius said Nemuno aušra would decide whether to appeal an ethics ruling over a conflict of interest tied to his real-estate dealings, and parliamentary leaders left his future on the Budget and Finance Committee to his own faction.

Elsewhere, signs of a weaker domestic economy are building, with construction firms describing the toughest spring in four years and consumers facing fresh questions over food and other price increases. In healthcare, one Lithuanian clinic is offering patients a wait of almost five years to see a doctor.

Kaunas' Zalgiris opened the EuroLeague quarter-finals with a loss in Istanbul to Fenerbahce. President Gitanas Nauseda discussed Lithuania's EU Council presidency priorities with Croatia's prime minister.

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

Vinted rises among Europe’s most valuable startups

Vinted Group completed an 880 million euro secondary share sale on Monday, lifting its equity valuation to 8 billion euros. The deal involved existing shareholders rather than fresh money for operations, according to the company. The valuation puts the Lithuanian-founded resale platform among Europe’s most valuable startups.

Why it matters

The higher valuation can make future fundraising easier and gives early backers and staff more liquidity. It also strengthens Lithuania’s pitch to investors and engineers as regional tech groups compete for capital and talent.

sources:vz.lt

Energy

Lithuanian fuel instead of imported oil – carriers' path to energy independence

Lithuanian carriers pressed parliament on April 16 to cut diesel excise for local bus routes after cheaper train tickets and a 30% jump in fuel costs hit passenger volumes. Gintaras Nakutis, head of the Lithuanian Passenger Transport Association, said local public transport burns millions of litres of diesel each month, while annual and semi-annual fare indexation lags behind costs. Finance Minister Rimantas Šadžius said the government is also weighing a partial diesel tax rebate for international hauliers who refuel in neighbouring countries.

Why it matters

For bus operators, the issue is margin: fuel bills either feed through into higher fares or force service cuts. For hauliers, the tax choice determines whether they buy diesel in Lithuania or keep refuelling across the border in Latvia, Poland or elsewhere.

sources:vz.lt

Energy

Biomethane vs diesel or how to save 40,000 euros

Lithuanian heavy transport is now seeing biomethane undercut diesel on running costs, with industry estimates putting annual savings at about 40,000 euros per truck. 15min cites Amber Grid data showing 32.9 GWh of biomethane was injected into the gas grid in January 2026, roughly 2.5 times more than a year earlier. The country now has 27 biomethane fuelling points, at least 18 of them public, giving hauliers more viable routes off diesel.

Why it matters

For hauliers, the change hits operating costs and fleet decisions directly. Once biomethane is cheaper than diesel and refuelling points are spread more widely, companies can switch vehicles faster and cut exposure to imported fuel.

sources:vz.lt

Politics

R. Puchovičius: the party will decide whether to appeal VTEK ruling

On April 28, 2026, in Vilnius, Robertas Puchovičius said Nemuno aušra will decide whether to appeal a ruling by the Chief Official Ethics Commission. The commission had found an interest-of-conflict breach tied to his real-estate dealings, while Seimas leaders had already said his role on the Budget and Finance Committee would be left to his own faction. It is the latest ethics headache for the party after earlier electoral and financing probes.

Why it matters

The fight could affect Puchovičius’ place on a committee that deals with taxes, budgets and property rules. The party’s next move may also shape relations with coalition partners already weighing previous ethics and financing rulings.

sources:lrytas.lt

Economy

2030 vision — Lithuania wealthiest in the region, with a few caveats

Lithuania’s Economy and Innovation Ministry on April 27-28 set out a plan to attract 10 billion euros in investment by 2030 and expand the number of high value-added jobs. The pitch is to widen the current fast-track model into a broader investment corridor, with quicker permits not just for defence projects but also for large industrial sites and free economic zones. The plan lands as Lithuania is forecast to remain the Baltics’ fastest-growing economy in 2026, but officials want more of that growth to come from productive investment rather than consumption.

Why it matters

Manufacturers, logistics firms and regions where permits drag on stand to gain first, because faster approvals can cut the time between an investor’s decision and the start of construction. Hitting the 10 billion euro target would mean more higher-paid jobs and a growth model less dependent on household spending swings.

sources:vz.lt

Politics

After a horrific attack at Marijampolė school – minister Popovienė's reaction: what she will do

A juvenile student attacked classmates with a knife before lessons at Marijampolė’s Sūduvos Gymnasium on April 28, injuring two first-year girls and a fourth-year boy. Hospital officials said none of the three faced a life-threatening condition, while police and prosecutors are still piecing together how the weapon got into school. Education minister Raminta Popovienė said the focus now must also be on pupils’ mental wellbeing and on tighter school safety measures.

Why it matters

Schools will now face pressure to review entry controls, supervision and emergency response plans. Parents and pupils will want clear procedures on what happens if a weapon is spotted or a threat emerges.

sources:tv3.lt

Europe

Summary

Kyiv was hit by Russian drones and missiles today, killing at least two people and wounding several others. Explosions were heard across multiple districts, a building under construction was damaged, and a cemetery site was struck.

Russian attacks across Ukraine over the past day killed at least two people and injured several more. In Zaporizhzhia, strikes have damaged more than 1,200 apartment blocks and nearly 2,500 private homes. In Sloviansk, about half of all apartment buildings have been hit, as local authorities prepare compensation and repair plans. Ukraine also disclosed new details about a clandestine Russian missile used with the country’s most modern fighter jet.

Tuapse came under another drone attack overnight, with fresh fires reported near the Black Sea port and oil facilities. Earlier strikes in the same area caused heavy damage at a fuel site and disrupted operations at a key node in Russia’s Black Sea energy logistics. Russia also formally acknowledged today that it is conscripting students into the war.

Moscow and the surrounding region were hit by record late-April snow over the past 24 hours, leaving three people dead. Tens of thousands of customers lost power, while fallen trees blocked roads and crushed cars. Europe’s split with the US has sharpened further over the past 48 hours, with Washington’s policy already weighing on the continent’s economy and eroding confidence in US security guarantees. European governments are under pressure to find new markets faster, raise investment and reduce exposure to US decisions on trade, capital and defence, while Ryanair warned it could cut flights to a popular European destination if current aviation taxes remain in place.

Nearly 50 Russian attacks in Ukraine's Dnipropetrovsk region killed two people. Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned Moscow could be preparing plans against NATO states, while Ukraine's parliament extended martial law.

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

Screams shake Kyiv: six people killed

On April 28, 2026, Kyiv was hit by a Russian drone and missile strike that left at least two people dead, as air-raid warnings sounded across the capital and air defences were activated. LRT said explosions were heard in several districts, with early reports that morning also pointing to wounded civilians and a broader wave of incoming drones. City officials were still working to confirm casualties and damage, while emergency crews moved into affected areas and transport disruptions followed.

Why it matters

For Kyiv residents, the strike adds immediate risk to commuting, school runs and hospital access at a time when attacks are hitting both day and night. It also forces Ukraine to split limited air-defence resources between the front line and the capital.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Explosions audible in Kyiv after Russian drone attack

Kyiv woke to explosions on April 28 as Russia launched a drone attack on the capital and air defences went up. Ukrainian officials said at least two people were killed, while a building under construction was damaged and a cemetery site hit. Residents were ordered to take cover as the assault unfolded in daylight.

Why it matters

For Kyiv residents, a daytime strike raises the risk for people who are commuting, working or outside at the time. Hits on urban infrastructure also force rescuers and air defences to respond while civilians are still exposed.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

US slaps Europe — just the beginning: we already feel the consequences, potentially more to come

Over the past 48 hours, Europe’s rift with the US has sharpened again, with LRT-quoted experts warning that Washington’s policy is already hitting the continent’s economy and could spread further. The message from those interviews is clear: the US is becoming a less dependable partner, pushing Europe to seek new markets, more investment and a more self-reliant security posture as Washington shifts attention toward the Indo-Pacific. The next test for European leaders is how fast they can cut their exposure to US decisions in trade, capital flows and defence guarantees.

Why it matters

For European companies, the result is more uncertainty over exports, financing costs and planned investment. In defence, every shift in US priorities raises the pressure on governments to spend more and close capability gaps faster.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine. After 'catastrophic' fires, a new wave of attacks in Tuapse

Tuapse was hit by another wave of drone strikes overnight on April 27-28, with fires reported around the Black Sea port and nearby oil facilities. The new attack came after earlier strikes that local and Ukrainian sources said caused catastrophic damage at a fuel site and disrupted operations in the area. Tuapse is a key node in Russia’s Black Sea energy logistics, so repeated hits could further squeeze refining and export flows.

Why it matters

Disruption at Tuapse can hit fuel supply in southern Russia and slow crude and product exports through the Black Sea. Each new outage raises insurance, logistics and repair costs, which feeds directly into the war economy.

sources:lrytas.lt

Environment

Moscow hit by a record blizzard—chaos ensues: people killed, thousands without power

Moscow and the wider region were hit by record late-April snow on April 27-28, cutting power to tens of thousands of customers and leaving three people dead, according to Russia's emergency ministry. Trees fell on cars and roads, while utility crews raced to clear lines and restore supply across damaged districts. Forecasters said the storm was unusually strong for the season and followed a spell of milder weather that made the switch more abrupt.

Why it matters

Power cuts hit suburban households and businesses that depend on steady supply for heating, communications and deliveries. If repairs drag on, the disruption can spread into transport, retail and emergency services across the Moscow region.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

During shelling in Zaporizhzhia, a third of buildings damaged; in Slovyansk, half of apartment blocks.

Russian strikes have damaged more than 1,200 apartment blocks in Zaporizhzhia and about half of the apartment stock in Slovyansk, local authorities said on April 28, 2026. Zaporizhzhia officials also count nearly 2,500 damaged private homes, with some towers hit repeatedly by blast waves and shrapnel. City and regional services are now processing repair claims and lining up compensation and rebuilding work.

Why it matters

Thousands of families in Zaporizhzhia and Slovyansk are living with broken windows, damaged roofs and leaking walls. That means higher heating bills, slower repairs and more pressure on municipal housing stock.

sources:delfi.lt

World

Summary

Washington received Iran’s latest proposal yesterday to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Donald Trump has not approved it because he sees too few concessions from Tehran. The offer, passed through Pakistan, ties reopening the waterway to an end to the war and to US demands, leaving ceasefire talks stalled again. Iran’s UN envoy said in New York yesterday that Tehran wants reliable guarantees against new attacks before it continues talks with Washington. Iran is now linking any further discussion of its nuclear programme to security assurances after earlier strikes hit its nuclear sites.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy said today that Kyiv is preparing sanctions against people and companies linked to the purchase of allegedly stolen Ukrainian grain after a vessel from Russia’s shadow fleet reportedly unloaded in Haifa. Ukraine’s foreign ministry summoned Israel’s ambassador the same day and delivered a formal protest over what it called repeated shipments. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the tax authority had opened an inquiry into the vessel, while Israel says no evidence has been presented to support the allegation. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the dispute should be settled between Kyiv and Jerusalem.

Amnesty International said today that North Korea sharply increased public executions during the Covid years, including punishments for sharing foreign media. The report draws on defector testimony gathered in 2025 and 2026, with cases involving South Korean films, songs and news content, while tighter border controls since 2020 have made outside monitoring harder. Astronomers this week confirmed that comet 3I/ATLAS is interstellar, and data from Hubble, Webb and SPHEREx show a carbon-dioxide-rich coma and a path already heading back beyond Jupiter’s orbit. Australia is seeking to tax technology giants if they do not pay local news publishers for content.

U.S. Marines boarded a vessel suspected of smuggling arms to an Iranian port. The operation stood out late in the evening because it points to possible sanctions evasion and direct U.S. action at sea.

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

Report: North Korea saw a sharp rise in executions during COVID-19

Amnesty International said in a report on April 28 that North Korea stepped up public executions during the Covid years, including for people caught sharing foreign media. The group based its findings on testimony from defectors collected in 2025 and 2026, with cases involving South Korean films, songs and news material. The report says tighter border controls and internal travel restrictions since 2020 have made the country even harder to monitor from outside.

Why it matters

The findings matter most for North Koreans who consume or share outside media, because that can now carry the death penalty. It also makes independent monitoring harder and leaves escapees and rights groups with fewer ways to document abuses.

sources:lrytas.lt

Technology

Interstellar object entered the solar system; scientists confirm its origin

Astronomers this week confirmed that comet 3I/ATLAS is interstellar and entered the solar system from another star system. Its path shows it is already on the way out, past Jupiter’s orbit, after a campaign using Hubble, Webb and SPHEREx data. The latest measurements point to a carbon-dioxide-rich coma, making it a rare sample from a very cold, isolated part of the Milky Way.

Why it matters

For planetary scientists, this is a rare sample that can be compared with comets formed around the Sun. It helps pin down what material drifts between stars and how chemistry differs from one planetary system to another.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Scandal erupts – Zelenskiy's reaction: issued a stern warning to Israel

Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on April 28, 2026 that Kyiv is preparing sanctions against people and entities linked to the purchase of Ukrainian grain, after reports that a vessel from Russia's shadow fleet carrying stolen grain may have unloaded in Israel's Haifa port. He said his office will also press the European Union to punish those involved in what he called a criminal scheme. Israel's foreign minister said no evidence had been presented to back the allegation, while Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said the dispute should be settled by Kyiv and Jerusalem.

Why it matters

Ukrainian farmers and grain traders could lose more revenue if buyers of stolen cargo are added to sanctions lists. For Israel, the row may force closer checks on imports and port procedures to avoid handling cargo tied to Russian-controlled shipping networks.

sources:tv3.lt

Politics

Ukraine condemned Israel over Russia's allegedly stolen grain shipments

Volodymyr Zelenskyy said on April 28, 2026 that a grain ship carrying produce Russia allegedly stole from occupied Ukrainian land had arrived at Israel’s Haifa port, and he threatened sanctions on firms and people tied to the cargo. Ukraine’s foreign ministry summoned Israel’s ambassador the same day and delivered a formal protest over what it called repeated shipments. Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said the tax authority had opened an inquiry into the vessel, while Kyiv said it would work with European partners to widen sanctions against those involved.

Why it matters

Ukraine’s farm sector is trying to stop revenue from produce taken out of occupied areas from being washed into normal trade. If Kyiv follows through with sanctions, shipping, trading and processing firms could face tighter access to European markets and more compliance risk.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Iran war. WSJ: Trump skeptical of Iran's latest offer

Washington received Iran's latest proposal on April 27, 2026, to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, but Donald Trump is treating it with caution and does not see enough concessions from Tehran. Pakistan passed the offer to the Americans, tying the strait's reopening to an end to the war and to U.S. demands. The White House has not signed off, leaving the ceasefire talks stuck again.

Why it matters

The Strait of Hormuz is the key route for Gulf oil, so every delay keeps pressure on fuel prices and shipping insurance across the region. If Washington and Tehran fail to bridge the gap, the fallout will hit European energy markets and importers tied to Middle East crude.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Iranian envoy at the UN: Iran needs reliable guarantees that there will be no new attacks

On April 27 in New York, Iran’s UN envoy said Tehran wants reliable guarantees that no new strikes will be launched against it, as tensions remain high around talks with Washington and Israeli threats. The UN has spent recent weeks pushing ceasefires and diplomacy, while warning the region is still vulnerable to renewed conflict. Tehran is now tying any further discussion of its nuclear programme to a security assurance, after earlier attacks hit Iranian nuclear sites.

Why it matters

The Middle East remains close to another military flare-up, with direct implications for oil flows and shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. If talks stall, insurance, freight and energy costs could rise again across Europe.

sources:15min.lt