11 May 2026

A medical breakthrough drew attention in Lithuania on Monday after researchers isolated human-like antibodies against Epstein-Barr virus, which infects about 95% of people worldwide. The antibodies block the virus from attaching to immune cells, a finding with implications for research on cancers and some neurological diseases.

Defence Minister Laurynas Kasčiūnas said in Vilnius on Monday that Lithuania is in the final stretch of talks to buy 100 CV90 MkIV infantry fighting vehicles. The six-country purchase is tied to Lithuania’s plan to reach full divisional combat capability by 2030, with deliveries due from 2028. Defence and civil protection officials in Vilnius also said the first 72 hours after a possible attack would be critical for keeping communications running, moving civilians and supplying municipalities, prompting work to map shelters, communications nodes and stockpiles in advance. Lithuania also decided to join operations in the Strait of Hormuz after a US request.

In the domestic economy, employers warned that labour shortages are already slowing expansion plans at some companies and threatening on-time delivery of orders. The sharpest shortages are in construction, manufacturing, transport, healthcare and social care, while faster wage growth is pushing up hiring costs. Inflation is spreading across more goods and services, and electricity prices doubled over the week even though local generation covered about 90% of Lithuania’s demand. Companies are also dealing with higher resource costs, tighter liability for substandard goods and expected changes for petrol stations.

In crime news, a court ordered two of the three suspects in the killing of paramedic Mantas Sadauskas to remain in custody. Prosecutors said the 1995-born man disappeared after driving to Paliukai village to install a trampoline, and his body was later found hidden at a remote homestead.

Lithuania's parliament approved new rules on liability and compensation for defective goods. The State Defence Council backed Lithuania joining maritime security operations in the Strait of Hormuz, while President Gitanas Nauseda discussed the US role in Europe and stronger air defence with NATO forces.

Ukraine suffered another wave of Russian strikes over the past day, with three civilians killed, including a child, and 16 wounded. Rescue teams were still searching for victims as regional authorities reported fresh damage to residential areas and new evacuation needs.

In Brussels, EU foreign ministers are meeting today to approve a new sanctions package against Russia over the abduction of Ukrainian children. The measures would widen asset freezes and travel bans on people and entities linked to transferring children into Russian-controlled territory. Kyiv also said it would respond in kind if Moscow stopped carrying out mass air attacks. Volodymyr Zelenskiy tied that position to nearly 100 attack drones launched by Russia in one night and to dozens of assaults across front-line sectors.

Iran warned Britain and France on Monday not to act in the Strait of Hormuz, where the two countries have been coordinating plans to protect shipping. The waterway has remained tense since Iran blocked it in late February and has used it as leverage ever since. The warning could complicate European efforts to build a defensive escort mission and add pressure on oil and LNG flows.

In Spain, Barcelona beat Real Madrid 2-0 at home on Sunday and sealed a 29th La Liga title with three games left. Marcus Rashford scored in the ninth minute, Ferran Torres added a second nine minutes later, and Hansi Flick secured a second straight league crown. In Italy, Atalanta won 3-0 away at AC Milan on Sunday and dented the hosts’ Serie A title push. Milan made four changes after the break, gave Mario Mandzukic his debut, and still failed to score.

Moscow showed no sign of readiness to end the war in Ukraine, and Kyiv warned of fresh Russian strikes. In Latvia, a coalition crisis deepened after a minister’s fall, while President Gitanas Nauseda discussed the US security role and stronger air defence with NATO commanders in Europe.

Netanyahu said today that Iran still holds more than 400 kg of enriched uranium after last July’s strikes on its nuclear sites. He said the stockpile is not enough on its own for a bomb, but remains the core of the programme and must be removed from Iranian control. Over the past day, Tehran rejected Donald Trump’s peace proposal and demanded reparations, shutting down a fresh attempt to restart talks quickly. The course of US-Iran talks also moved oil prices again, while the war’s fallout is lifting profits for some defence and energy companies.

Trump said today that Vladimir Putin had let him down over the war in Ukraine. Washington is weighing tougher sanctions and tariffs on Russian oil as the Kremlin shows no readiness to accept a ceasefire. Ukraine and its allies discussed new long-range strikes inside Russia in Kyiv yesterday after weekend drone attacks on oil infrastructure and military sites. Moscow tightened controls around this year’s May 9 parade and revoked accreditation from several foreign media outlets. A drone attack in Kherson injured five people.

China confirmed that Trump will visit later this week, and US officials expect him to press Xi Jinping over Iran during the trip. In Morocco, the army found the body of one of two missing US soldiers. The UN rights office said at least 880 Sudanese civilians were killed in drone attacks from January to April, with the heaviest toll in Darfur and around Khartoum. Astronomers this week reported a black hole in the early universe that may have formed before the first bright stars switched on.

Donald Trump said the U.S.-Iran truce remained in critical condition and accused Tehran of violating a uranium deal. He also said he planned to discuss U.S. arms sales to Taiwan with Xi Jinping.