4 May 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

NanoAvionics put three Lithuanian-built satellites into low Earth orbit yesterday on SpaceX’s CAS500 mission, including an intelligence satellite for a Polish customer. The company said that craft can see through clouds and in darkness, while the other two satellites extended Lithuania’s position in commercial and defence-linked space manufacturing.

Kaunas prosecutors said today that Benas Mikutavičius has completed a psychiatric examination and may have understood his actions when two young women were killed. Investigators say he fatally stabbed women born in 2003 and 2001 in December, so the case will proceed through the normal criminal process and could end in a life sentence. Lithuanian prosecutors have also unveiled a separate case in which 13 suspects are accused of plotting attacks on Russian exile Ruslan Gabbasov and Lithuanian activist Valdas Bartkevičius, with arrests already made in Lithuania and Greece.

The presidency said after a meeting on district hospitals that it plans to preserve regional hospital services as municipalities warn about possible cuts. Lithuania is also launching the international Iron Wolf exercise today, bringing together Lithuanian and allied forces. Lithuania’s wholesale electricity price rose 61% over the past week to 86.27 euros per MWh because of weaker wind generation and stronger regional demand. In Vilnius, more than 1,100 apartments were added to primary-market supply in April, giving buyers more leverage and prompting developers to offer discounts.

A Russian-linked killer network was disrupted in Lithuania. An activist’s account disclosed covert Russian plans and possible targets inside the country.

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

Ticking bomb: Delfi journalists visited the most dangerous coastal spot

Delfi reporters visited a coastal site on May 4 that locals and specialists describe as the most dangerous on the shore because of derelict infrastructure and constant risks to passers-by. The report points to a long-neglected area where physical hazards have built up and where moving around now requires caution. The key question now is whether local authorities or other institutions will restrict access and start clearing the site.

Why it matters

For residents and visitors on the coast, the risk is immediate if the area stays open, unmarked and unattended. A delay from the authorities would leave both locals and tourists exposed to hazards they may not see until it is too late.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Lithuania dismantled Russian murder-for-hire network: dramatic activist story reveals Moscow methods.

Lithuania’s prosecutor general said on April 28 that 13 people are now suspected in a plot to kill a Russian exile and a pro-Ukraine activist. The case began in March 2025, when Ruslan Gabbasov found tracking gear in his car and investigators later linked the same network to a plan against Lithuanian activist Valdas Bartkevičius. The probe has already triggered arrests in Lithuania and Greece, and one suspect detained in Thessaloniki is facing extradition to Vilnius.

Why it matters

The case matters for Russian exiles and Ukraine supporters across Europe because it shows how far alleged Kremlin-linked operations can reach, from surveillance to planned killings. It also shows that Lithuanian, Greek, Polish and Ukrainian investigators are now working across borders to dismantle these networks faster.

sources:15min.lt

Technology

Three Lithuanian satellites launched into space, including a Polish company’s intelligence satellite

At 09:59 local time on May 3, SpaceX’s second CAS500 mission put three satellites built by Kongsberg NanoAvionics into low Earth orbit, including an intelligence satellite for a Polish company. The company said the craft can see through clouds and in darkness. Two other Lithuanian-built satellites rode on the same launch, extending NanoAvionics’ role as a supplier to commercial and defence-facing space projects.

Why it matters

Polish and Lithuanian space firms just added another asset for surveillance and Earth observation. Satellites like this can deliver images and data faster to customers monitoring territory, infrastructure or weather in near real time.

sources:lrt.lt

Crime

Official: B. Mikutavičius charged in the murder of two girls, faces life imprisonment

Kaunas prosecutors said on May 4 that the psychiatric exam of Benas Mikutavičius is complete and that he may have understood what he was doing when the attacks took place. Investigators say he fatally stabbed two women, born in 2003 and 2001, on December 4 and both died at the scene. Prosecutors will not seek compulsory medical treatment, which means the case will now move through the normal criminal process and could still end in a life sentence.

Why it matters

For the court and prosecutors in Kaunas, the case can now move toward trial instead of a compulsory-treatment track. For the victims’ families, that brings the case closer to a final ruling on whether he is convicted and how severe the sentence could be.

sources:lrytas.lt

Economy

Electricity prices in Lithuania soared by almost a third: what drove the rise

Lithuania’s wholesale power price jumped 61% last week to 86.27 euros per MWh, the Lithuanian Energy Agency said on May 4, 2026. The agency blamed weaker output from wind farms and higher regional demand. Prices also rose across the Baltic market, leaving Lithuania more exposed to imports through cross-border interconnectors.

Why it matters

Higher wholesale prices feed into fixed offers from suppliers and into bills for businesses and households on variable tariffs. When local wind generation drops and demand rises, Lithuania leans more heavily on pricier imported power from the region.

sources:tv3.lt lrt.lt

Economy

A serious injection this month – over 1,100 apartments added to supply

Vilnius added more than 1,100 apartments to primary-market supply in April, according to market watchers cited by local real estate analysts. The new stock was concentrated in the mid-market and lower-cost segments, where buyer demand remains strongest and deals are closing fastest. The bigger pipeline gives buyers more choice and pushes developers to lean on discounts, parking bonuses and more flexible payment terms.

Why it matters

For Vilnius buyers, the extra stock means more choice and more leverage in negotiations, especially for first-time purchases and upgrades into newer homes. For developers, the swelling pipeline raises the pressure to keep deals moving, which often means more promotions and sweeter terms in the near term.

sources:vz.lt

Europe

Summary

An Iskander ballistic missile strike in Ukraine’s Kharkiv region killed four people and wounded 16 today. The injured were taken to hospital and rescuers were still searching the debris for anyone trapped.

Moscow was shaken by explosions overnight into Sunday after a Ukrainian drone raid. Russian officials said air defences intercepted drones headed for the capital, while emergency teams checked debris sites after strikes near sensitive facilities and close to Red Square. A luxury building near the ministry district was also damaged in the attack. U.S. envoy Keith Kellogg said today that Moscow would lose the war if it stayed on its current course. Volodymyr Zelensky also said Ukraine was ready for another round of trilateral talks.

In Helsinki, Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Zelensky discussed Russian drone incursions and signed a bilateral defence cooperation deal. The agreement is meant to deepen work on counter-drone systems, technology sharing and defence production outside Ukraine.

The Kremlin has sharply tightened Vladimir Putin’s security after a wave of killings of Russian soldiers and fears of a coup. A European intelligence assessment says visitor screening has intensified, protected rooms and bunkers are being used more often, and bodyguards now carry Kevlar-lined umbrellas and briefcase shields. NATO air policing jets over the Baltic states scrambled three times last week to identify Russian aircraft, including two Su-24SMs, two Su-24s and a Tu-134. Two of the aircraft had no transponders switched on, no flight plans and no radio contact with regional air traffic control.

Russia announced a unilateral ceasefire for May 8-9 and threatened Ukraine if it did not comply. Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected the proposal as unfair and said Ukraine would apply its own ceasefire regime on May 5-6.

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

Russia fired an Iskander missile into the Kharkiv region: 4 dead, 16 wounded

A Russian missile strike in Kharkiv region killed four people and wounded 16 on May 4, Ukrainian officials said. The attack was carried out with an Iskander ballistic missile, a weapon Moscow uses for fast, long-range strikes beyond the front line. Emergency crews moved the wounded to hospitals and were checking the site for anyone trapped under debris.

Why it matters

Civilians in Kharkiv region remain exposed to missile strikes that hit populated areas rather than front-line positions. That means more evacuations, extra strain on hospitals and a higher day-to-day risk for communities near the Russian border.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine. Turbulent night in Moscow after drone attack

Moscow residents reported explosions overnight into May 4 after a Ukrainian drone raid, while Russian officials said air defences had intercepted drones headed for the capital. The latest raid fits a pattern of strikes that have pushed the war deeper into Russia's heartland, where past attacks have damaged homes and disrupted power supplies. After the overnight episode, emergency crews were sent to inspect debris sites and Moscow tightened air monitoring around the city.

Why it matters

For residents around Moscow, these raids mean overnight alerts, debris risks and possible power cuts. For the Kremlin, they force more air-defence assets toward the capital, leaving fewer available for other parts of the front.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Intelligence: Putin's security dramatically strengthened

The Kremlin has sharply tightened Vladimir Putin’s security after a wave of killings of Russian soldiers and rising fears of a coup, according to a European intelligence assessment cited by CNN and 15min. His post-pandemic isolation has deepened further, with tighter screening of visitors and greater use of protected rooms, including bunkers. Bodyguards are also carrying armored umbrellas with Kevlar inserts and briefcase shields, a sign Moscow is guarding against both assassination and internal instability.

Why it matters

Russia’s political system is becoming even more sealed off, which makes both external pressure and internal dissent harder to gauge. For Ukraine and the West, the key point is that the Kremlin now sees danger not just at the front, but at the regime’s core.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Finnish and Ukrainian presidents discuss drone incursions, sign agreement

Finnish President Alexander Stubb and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky met in Helsinki on May 4, 2026, to discuss Russian drone incursions and sign a bilateral defence cooperation deal. The visit came as Kyiv has been pushing to deepen ties on counter-drone systems and overseas defence production. The agreement should pave the way for closer technology sharing and broader industrial cooperation in the months ahead.

Why it matters

For Finland, the deal brings faster access to Ukraine’s battlefield experience, especially on counter-drone defence, as airspace incursions have become a direct European security concern. For Ukraine, it can mean additional production capacity and deeper security backing at a time when it needs more air-defence tools and partners beyond the war zone.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Ministry: NATO fighters identified and escorted Russian aircraft three times

NATO air policing jets over the Baltic states scrambled three times last week to identify Russian military aircraft, including two SU-24SMs, two SU-24s and a TU-134 flying between Kaliningrad and mainland Russia. Two of the Russian aircraft had no transponders switched on, no flight plans and no radio contact with the regional air traffic centre; the TU-134 had a transponder on but still lacked a plan and radio contact. The ministry said NATO has run the Baltic air policing mission since 2004, when Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia joined the alliance.

Why it matters

Each scramble adds pressure on the Baltic air policing rotation, which is shared among NATO allies and has to stay ready around the clock. Flights without plans or radio contact also force civil air traffic controllers and military pilots to react immediately if a crossing or collision risk appears.

sources:lrt.lt

Politics

Iran War. Trump announces new initiative: US will escort ships through the Strait

Donald Trump said on May 4, 2026 that the U.S. Navy will escort tankers through the Strait of Hormuz after weeks of disruption linked to the war with Iran. Washington had already sent extra warships to the region, while shipping trackers showed traffic through the strait had fallen sharply, with only a handful of vessels getting through. The move shifts the U.S. from threats to direct protection of commercial shipping, raising the risk of a wider naval confrontation.

Why it matters

For oil markets, this puts an extra military shield around one of the world’s most sensitive shipping lanes. If the escort becomes routine, it could ease insurance and routing costs, but any clash involving U.S. warships would quickly hit crude prices and tanker schedules.

sources:lrytas.lt 15min.lt

World

Summary

Iran said on Monday it would attack U.S. forces if they tried to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz. Donald Trump said the United States would begin escorting stranded ships through the chokepoint, where traffic has been heavily disrupted for weeks. The United Arab Emirates said on Monday that Iran fired four cruise missiles, three of which were intercepted and one of which fell into the sea. In Fujairah, an Iranian drone started a fire at a key oil facility, while two cargo ships caught fire off the UAE coast.

Mediterranean Shipping Company said today it would launch a new Europe-Red Sea-Middle East express service that bypasses the Strait of Hormuz. The first sailing is due to leave Antwerp on May 10, with cargo then moved overland through Saudi Arabia before reaching Gulf markets. Any direct U.S.-Iran clash in the waterway would hit global oil and gas prices immediately. Reports over the past day also pointed to another vessel coming under attack in the area.

A passenger flight from Venice to New York landed safely today after a serious in-flight incident forced the crew to change course. All passengers and crew survived, and investigators are examining what triggered the episode and whether any safety procedures were missed. The World Health Organization said over the past day that three people died in a suspected hantavirus outbreak on a cruise ship. Health authorities are also investigating possible additional infections among passengers and crew.

A U.S. admiral said American forces destroyed six Iranian ships and shot down missiles and drones. An Iranian drone attack also triggered a large fire in a UAE port city. U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent urged China to pressure Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz.

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

Iranian army: US forces will be attacked if they enter the Strait of Hormuz

Iran’s military command said on May 4, 2026, that U.S. forces would be attacked if they tried to approach or enter the Strait of Hormuz. The warning came after President Donald Trump said the United States would begin escorting stranded ships through the chokepoint, where traffic has been severely disrupted for weeks. The standoff raises the risk of a direct clash around the waterway that carries a major share of the world’s oil and gas trade.

Why it matters

A wider confrontation around Hormuz would hit global energy flows immediately, with Europe and Asia most exposed to higher oil, LNG, insurance and freight costs. Even short disruptions can ripple through fuel prices and shipping contracts within hours.

sources:lrt.lt

Society

Plane from Venice to New York narrowly avoids disaster

A Venice to New York passenger flight ran into trouble on May 4 but landed safely after a serious in-flight incident. The crew altered course to avoid a worse outcome, and all passengers and crew survived. Investigators are now working to pin down what triggered the event and whether any safety procedures were missed.

Why it matters

Passengers on transatlantic routes depend on fast crew decisions, because a long overwater flight leaves little margin for error. The findings could lead to tighter procedures for similar flights and emergency responses.

sources:delfi.lt

Economy

MSC shipping giant opens new trade route bypassing Hormuz

Mediterranean Shipping Company said on May 4 it will launch a new Europe-Red Sea-Middle East express service linking key European ports with Saudi Arabia and other regional hubs. The first sailing is due to leave Antwerp on May 10, with cargo then moved overland inside Saudi Arabia before reaching Gulf markets. The move is designed to avoid the Strait of Hormuz, which shippers see as effectively blocked amid Iranian actions and rising military tension with the United States.

Why it matters

The service gives shippers a fallback when Hormuz is too risky or unusable. That matters for European exporters and Gulf importers that need steadier schedules and fewer delays in moving goods.

sources:vz.lt

Politics

Iran attacks United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates said on Monday, May 4, 2026, that Iran fired four cruise missiles, three of which were intercepted and one fell into the sea. In Fujairah, an Iranian drone started a fire at a key oil facility, while two cargo ships caught fire off the UAE coast. The strikes followed a U.S. effort to escort merchant shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, after two U.S.-flagged vessels made it through safely.

Why it matters

The attacks put UAE oil facilities, shipping and marine insurance in the Gulf at immediate risk. Any further incident around Hormuz could disrupt seaborne trade and feed into higher energy costs in Europe.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Palmira: an aggressive mood will prevail – forget ambitions

On May 4, Lithuanian outlets ran Palmira Galkontaitė’s daily horoscope with a warning that aggressive moods would dominate and that ambitions should be put aside. The piece lands at the start of the week, when readers tend to check forecasts for work, relationships and money. The format usually drives strong traffic to lifestyle and horoscope sections as people look for quick cues before making plans.

Why it matters

Daily horoscope columns draw a broad audience in Lithuania, so pieces like this can materially affect page traffic and ad inventory. For readers, they serve as a quick cue that some use to shape work, meetings or spending plans.

sources:lrytas.lt

Culture

Meghan Trainor faced troubles? Cancelled tour and sold a mansion for millions

Meghan Trainor said on April 17 she was scrapping a planned tour, and on the same day sold her Encino home in Los Angeles for $6.835 million. The gated property spans about 1.09 acres and includes seven bedrooms and 10 bathrooms. Trainor had bought the house in 2020 for $6.55 million, so the deal left her with a modest gain.

Why it matters

For fans, the cancellation means 2026 tour plans are changing fast and ticket holders will be waiting on refunds or new dates. In Los Angeles luxury real estate, the quick close shows there is still demand for high-end homes even when a celebrity seller needs out quickly.

sources:lrytas.lt