9 May 2026

Archived edition

Lithuania

Summary

Lithuania today signed a nearly €6.4 billion SAFE defence loan agreement with the European Commission in Vilnius. The funding comes from the EU’s €150 billion SAFE facility, and the first disbursements could reach Lithuania as early as March.

Lithuania recorded no illegal crossings from Belarus over the past day. Latvia, by contrast, turned back 136 migrants. In Vilnius, the Seimas is holding a Democracy knowledge contest for Europe Day today, while a march in the capital and a protest outside the Russian embassy in solidarity with Ukraine are also taking place. The Foreign Ministry is also considering revoking one diplomat’s accreditation on national security grounds.

In Nepal, climber Subelytė was confirmed today as the first Lithuanian woman to reach the 8,485-metre summit of Makalu. Makalu is the world’s fifth-highest mountain. Lithuania’s men’s ice hockey team beat Poland 2-1 in Sosnowiec yesterday to secure its place in the World Championship Division I A.

Vilnius also saw fresh crime news. Late last night, someone tried to set a parked car on fire on S. Nėries Street, and police opened an investigation into property damage by a method dangerous to many people. Over the past two days, two Vilnius residents lost more than €35,000 to callers posing as bank and law enforcement staff.

Lithuania is buying an additional package of surface-to-surface rocket artillery. In late sports news, Vilnius side Rytas won the cup after overtime.

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

Signing of a 6.4 billion euro SAFE loan agreement for defense at the Ministry of Finance

Lithuania is set to sign a SAFE deal at the Finance Ministry in Vilnius on Saturday, unlocking nearly 6.4 billion euros in long-term loans for defence. The money comes from the EU’s 150 billion euro SAFE facility, with the Commission having already endorsed the Lithuanian envelope after a request ranging from 5 billion to 8.76 billion euros. If the paperwork is completed on schedule, the first disbursements could land as early as March.

Why it matters

The loans give Lithuania room to lock in major defence contracts sooner, including air defence, drones and military mobility projects that need long financing horizons. They also add to debt pressure, because part of the country’s rearmament drive will now be funded through EU-backed borrowing.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

At Lithuania's border with Belarus, migrants unrecorded; 136 turned back in Latvia

Lithuania recorded no illegal crossing attempts from Belarus over the past day, while Latvian border guards turned back 136 people, the State Border Guard Service said on May 8. The contrast came after a busy spring on Lithuania’s side, when border guards stopped 37 migrants in a single day on April 19. The numbers suggest pressure from Belarus remains uneven across the region, with Latvia currently bearing the heaviest load.

Why it matters

For Latvian border guards, the surge means more people to intercept before they can fan out across the region. For Lithuania, the risk is secondary movement later through its territory toward Poland, which can quickly turn a border issue into a cross-border policing problem.

sources:tv3.lt

Society

Historical achievement: Subelytė became the first Lithuanian woman to conquer Mount Makalu

On May 9, 2026, mountaineer Subelytė was confirmed as the first Lithuanian woman to reach the 8,485-metre summit of Makalu in Nepal. Makalu is the world’s fifth-highest mountain, and the climb is known for narrow weather windows and severe altitude risks. The ascent adds a new milestone to Lithuania’s high-altitude climbing record and may draw fresh attention to expedition mountaineering at home.

Why it matters

For Lithuanian climbers, the ascent raises the bar for women in expedition mountaineering, because Makalu is among the toughest 8,000-metre peaks. Milestones like this can also lift demand for training, gear and guided high-altitude trips.

sources:tv3.lt delfi.lt

Crime

Attempted arson of a car in Vilnius

Late on May 9 in Vilnius, someone tried to set a parked car on fire on S. Nėries Street, but firefighters put out the blaze before it spread into the cabin. Police have opened an investigation into property damage by a method dangerous to many people, and burn marks near the vehicle suggest the fire was started deliberately. Investigators are now checking who was targeted and whether the case is linked to any prior dispute involving the owner.

Why it matters

Cars left on city streets or in residential courtyards can become easy targets, and fires like this can quickly threaten nearby buildings and other vehicles. If investigators identify the arsonist, the case could end in criminal charges as well as compensation claims for the damage.

sources:15min.lt

Crime

Scammers again pull off a large theft: over 35,000 euros swindled from two Vilnius residents

Two Vilnius residents lost more than 35,000 euros over the past two days after callers posing as bank and law enforcement staff tricked them into handing over money. In one case the victim transferred funds to an account named by the fraudster; in the other, money was handed to an intermediary, according to police. Investigators are now checking whether the same phone numbers and bank accounts were used in both cases.

Why it matters

These scams hit older and less tech-savvy banking users, who can lose a life savings buffer in minutes. Once fraudsters use multiple phone lines and intermediaries, tracing the money gets harder and recovery odds fall.

sources:lrytas.lt

Sports

Lithuanian ice hockey players keep their place in the IA division

Lithuania beat Poland 2-1 in Sosnowiec on May 8, 2026, to secure its place in the world championship Division I A. The Lithuanians led 1-0 after two periods and held on through a tense finish. The result capped a fight for survival after an opening 1-4 loss to Kazakhstan.

Why it matters

For Lithuanian hockey, survival means another year against Division I A opposition and another shot at a place near the elite. It preserves the team’s international schedule, ranking points and the level of competition that shapes its next campaign.

sources:lrytas.lt

Europe

Summary

Moscow staged its Victory Day parade today even as Washington said yesterday that Donald Trump wants at least 30 days of unconditional ceasefire, not the Kremlin’s three-day pause. Volodymyr Zelenskiy rejected Moscow’s offer and said yesterday that Russia had failed to stop fighting during previous short truces. The Kremlin said today that the temporary pause should test Kyiv’s readiness for a longer peace. In less than 24 hours, Moscow twice told Kyiv residents and diplomats to leave the city, warning it could strike the capital if the holiday events were disrupted.

Zelenskiy said yesterday that Ukrainian drones could appear over Moscow’s parade if Russia kept using the truce only to shield the event. Ukraine’s General Staff said today there were 245 clashes along the front in the previous 24 hours, with the fiercest fighting on the Pokrovsk axis in Donetsk region. Kyiv also said Russia kept up missile and drone attacks on Ukrainian cities during the declared ceasefire. Vladimir Putin said today that Russian forces in Ukraine are fighting a NATO-backed “aggressive” force.

Mariupol’s mayor said yesterday that residents in the Russian-occupied city are not living, but surviving. He pointed to shattered infrastructure and scarce access to water, heating and food. In sport, Euroleague playoff refereeing drew attention after Ergin Ataman publicly attacked the officials. In Rome, Iga Swiatek narrowly avoided an early exit at the WTA 1000 event, while Naomi Osaka and Karolina Pliskova advanced.

A senior German military commander warned that Russia is massing forces near NATO borders and accelerating its military build-up, increasing the need for stronger allied deterrence. Vladimir Putin said he was ready to meet Volodymyr Zelenskiy but attached a condition, while Moscow and Kyiv later traded blame over ceasefire violations.

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

War in Ukraine. Zelensky's stance on the parade: removed Red Square from targets list, but with a strict condition

Volodymyr Zelensky said on May 8 that Ukrainian drones could appear over Moscow's Victory Day parade, as the Kremlin tightened security and stripped the event of heavy military hardware. He dismissed Russia's May 8-9 truce as a bid to protect the parade rather than stop the war. Zelensky said Kyiv wants a durable ceasefire, not a short pause tied to a show of force.

Why it matters

The parade and the truce around it shape civilian risk in both Ukraine and Russia, because May 8-9 has become a period of heightened alert. Any drone strike or fresh wave of attacks could push the war closer to the centre of Moscow and make even a short ceasefire harder to hold.

sources:tv3.lt

Politics

War in Ukraine. In one day there were 245 clashes on the frontline, the fiercest battles in Pokrovske

On May 9, Ukraine’s General Staff said there were 245 clashes along the front in the previous 24 hours, with the heaviest fighting concentrated on the Pokrovsk axis as Russian forces tried to punch through Ukrainian lines. Kyiv has also said this week that Russia ignored declared ceasefires and kept up drone and missile strikes on Ukrainian cities, showing the war is still being fought on multiple layers at once. Pokrovsk remains a key target in Donetsk region because control of the area affects road links and the supply routes feeding Ukraine’s eastern defences.

Why it matters

For Ukrainian troops, Pokrovsk is not just another battlefield. If the pressure there rises, it becomes harder to keep eastern supply lines open and to protect civilian evacuation routes across Donetsk region.

sources:lrt.lt

Politics

Ukrainian air defense neutralized 34 of 43 Russian drones

On May 7, the Seimas culture committee finished reviewing amendments to the law on Lithuania’s public broadcaster LRT and plans to approve its opinion at the next meeting, committee chair Kęstutis Vilkauskas said. The package keeps the new dismissal rules for the LRT director on a fast track while pushing other governance changes to later dates. It also shortens board terms from six years to four and sets tighter eligibility rules for board candidates.

Why it matters

The changes directly affect how much protection LRT management has from political pressure. If parliament signs off, the new dismissal rules could bite before the broader governance overhaul takes effect.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

Mariupol mayor: 'People there don't live, they survive'

Mariupol’s mayor said on May 8, 2026 that residents in the Russian-occupied city are not living, but surviving. He pointed to shattered infrastructure and scarce access to water, heating and food. The comments landed as Mariupol remains cut off from Ukrainian control, with residents facing tight restrictions on movement and contact with the outside world.

Why it matters

Civilians in occupied Mariupol remain dependent on scarce essentials and disrupted services. The city’s status also matters for any future talks on war damage, because the issue is not just territory but the prospects for tens of thousands of people to return to normal life.

sources:lrt.lt

Politics

'The start of the end of the war': Trump announces three-day truce between Ukraine and Russia

On May 8, Washington said Donald Trump wants at least 30 days of unconditional ceasefire between Ukraine and Russia, not the Kremlin's three-day truce tied to Victory Day ceremonies in Moscow. Volodymyr Zelenskiy dismissed the proposal as manipulation and said Russia had not stopped fighting during previous short truces. The Kremlin said the pause would test Kyiv's willingness to pursue a longer peace, underscoring how far apart the sides remain on any durable settlement.

Why it matters

Ukrainian civilians and frontline towns are still living with fragile pauses that do little to stop drones or artillery. If Washington can force a longer ceasefire, it would open the first real window for prisoner swaps, humanitarian corridors and broader talks.

sources:15min.lt

Politics

Shame rather than victory: Ukrainians spoil a holy day for Russia and Putin

Russia marked Victory Day in Moscow on May 9, after Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned Russian allies on Thursday not to attend a parade the Kremlin wanted to use to project strength. Moscow twice in less than 24 hours told residents and diplomats to leave Kyiv, saying it could hit the Ukrainian capital if the holiday events were disrupted. The exchange came as Russia announced unilateral ceasefire terms for the day and then warned of retaliation if Ukraine interfered.

Why it matters

For Kyiv residents and foreign diplomats, the 48-hour window meant a higher risk of air strikes and a fresh evacuation warning. The parade also became a test for countries weighing whether to be seen at a Kremlin event framed as a show of force.

sources:delfi.lt

World

Summary

Iran warned on Friday of catastrophic consequences after a US strike on two tankers near the Gulf. The immediate risk is to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, which handles roughly a fifth of global oil flows.

Qatar’s prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, told US Vice President JD Vance that Iran must stop attacks on Gulf states immediately. Doha is still talking to both Tehran and Washington, but it is tying any diplomatic track to an end to the strikes first. At the same time, Iranian and US negotiators have agreed through intermediaries to meet again next week to discuss Tehran’s nuclear programme and sanctions. Oman remains the main mediator, while the venue and exact date have not been made public.

Fighting around Palmyra continued on Friday, making civilian movement and aid deliveries harder on the Syrian desert axis between Homs and Deir al-Zor. If the clashes persist, local authorities may restrict road access and aid groups will have to redraw humanitarian routes. The Pentagon on Thursday began publishing a new batch of classified UFO files, including records tied to Buzz Aldrin, a sighting in Kazakhstan and objects making sharp 90-degree turns. The release extends a declassification drive that has run for years, after the White House pushed the issue back up the agenda this spring.

Apple said it will hold a Special Event on May 13, fuelling speculation that it could announce a new acquisition. The company has been rolling out software and device updates in recent weeks as it tries to strengthen its position in artificial intelligence and services.

WHO said all passengers and crew on the ship hit by a hantavirus outbreak are considered high-risk contacts. Lebanon's health ministry said at least seven people were killed in an Israeli strike in southern Lebanon.

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

Middle East. Iran warns of catastrophic consequences after US attack on tankers

Iran's foreign ministry on May 9 warned of catastrophic consequences after a US strike on two tankers near the Gulf, as both sides traded blame over the incident. The warning lands against a long backdrop of maritime attacks in the region, with Tehran's Revolutionary Guard previously claiming responsibility for similar strikes and Washington accusing Iran-linked forces. The immediate risk is to shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a chokepoint for roughly a fifth of global oil flows.

Why it matters

Oil markets face direct risk. Any new strike around the Strait of Hormuz can lift crude prices and shipping insurance costs, and that filters quickly into fuel costs in Europe.

sources:tv3.lt

Politics

Pentagon begins releasing secret NSO files

The Pentagon began posting a fresh batch of UFO records on May 8, including accounts tied to Buzz Aldrin, a Kazakhstan sighting and objects making sharp 90-degree turns. The files are part of a declassification push that has been running for years, but the White House brought the issue back to the fore this spring. More releases are expected in the coming days as lawmakers and the public sift through what the documents actually show.

Why it matters

Defense and foreign-policy watchers are getting new data on how the U.S. military records and stores unexplained sightings. The release could renew pressure on Pentagon transparency and sharpen questions over what has been explained, and what remains classified.

sources:tv3.lt

Politics

Palmyra: a very tense period fueling tension and aggression

Fighting around Palmyra continued on May 8-9, 2026, with local accounts saying the clashes have made civilian movement and aid delivery much harder. The town sits on a strategic desert axis linking Homs with Deir al-Zor, which is why control of the area matters beyond the immediate battlefield. If the violence does not ease, local authorities may have to restrict road access and aid agencies will need to redraw humanitarian routes.

Why it matters

The Palmyra corridor helps determine whether food, fuel and medicine can reach central and eastern Syria. If the fighting drags on, families along the main roads and aid groups relying on safe overland routes will feel the immediate strain.

sources:lrytas.lt

Politics

Iran war. From Qatar's prime minister – a demand to Vance

Qatar's prime minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, pressed U.S. Vice President JD Vance in a call to get Iran to stop its attacks on Gulf states immediately. Doha has been working both sides of the crisis, talking to Tehran and Washington as Iran's missile and drone campaign has spread across the region. Qatar now backs diplomacy, but only if the strikes end first.

Why it matters

For Qatar and its neighbours, the priority is protecting airports, gas infrastructure and shipping lanes, all of which have already been hit or threatened. If the attacks continue, the region faces more flight disruptions, energy shocks and a wider squeeze on trade through the Gulf.

sources:delfi.lt

Politics

War in Iran. The Wall Street Journal: US and Iran may resume talks next week

Iranian and U.S. negotiators have agreed to meet again next week through intermediaries to discuss Tehran’s nuclear programme and sanctions after talks were derailed by the war with Israel, according to foreign media reports. Oman remains the main mediator, while the venue and exact date have not been made public. The move suggests Washington and Tehran are still trying to rebuild a channel before the conflict widens further or triggers new strikes in the region.

Why it matters

A restart could move oil prices, shipping risk in the Gulf and the sanctions pressure that filters into Europe’s energy and transport costs. If the talks fail, markets and supply chains are likely to face another round of shock from a wider regional escalation.

sources:lrytas.lt

Technology

Silicon Valley week: Apple teases a new acquisition

Apple said on May 8 it will hold a Special Event on May 13, a move that has fuelled speculation that a new acquisition may be announced. The company has been rolling out software and device updates in recent weeks, keeping pressure on its push into artificial intelligence and services. If the deal is confirmed, Apple could use it to close gaps in areas where it has relied on partners and internal development.

Why it matters

Any Apple acquisition quickly reaches millions of devices, so the impact is felt by developers and users who depend on new features and software updates. If the target is tied to artificial intelligence, the deal could reshape competition among big tech firms and speed up the rollout of new tools in Europe.

sources:vz.lt