21 June 2026

The Seimas is considering a bill that would let the state compensate damage if debris from a downed hostile drone hits homes, roads or other civilian infrastructure. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said the rules should be in place before such an incident occurs, and the draft could still be widened to cover actions by border guards and the Public Security Service as well as the military.

Lithuania, Latvia and Estonia agreed over the past day to press the European Union together to scrap the twice-yearly clock change. Lithuania’s transport minister said Vilnius would also push the issue during its 2027 EU Council presidency, while the European Commission has already launched a fresh impact assessment. The Baltic states want a single regional time line so they are not split by different EU decisions. President Gitanas Nausėda’s camp also revived talk of universal conscription today, but officials say any rollout is years away because Lithuania would need more trainers, more infrastructure and more funding.

In Marijampolė district on Saturday, a train struck an Opel at a level crossing and firefighters pulled an unconscious female passenger from the car. The driver remained at the scene to give statements to police, and rail traffic was briefly disrupted while crews checked the crossing and track. Vilnius University’s Faculty of Physics announced the death of physicist Jadvyga Zofija Jasevičiūtė at 83. The long-time lecturer in the Department of Quantum Electronics worked on nuclear physics, nonlinear optics, laser physics and mathematical modelling of parametric light-wave interaction.

Lithuanian authorities also warned against swimming in some lakes after detecting bacterial contamination. The country recorded its first tropical nights of the year, with temperatures in some places topping 30C. Police opened at least 20 pre-trial investigations in a single day over drunk driving. In Sicily, Lithuanian architect Asta Puolienė said renovating homes bought there by Lithuanians often costs more than the purchase price itself, even though the island’s average asking price in May was 1,168 euros per square metre.

Former foreign minister Linas Linkevicius said Moscow will not feel secure in the near term. In Varena district, a firefighter died while clearing a fallen tree from a road.

Crimea was hit by explosions overnight into today, and traffic on the Crimean Bridge was halted before resuming under security checks. Over the past two weeks, Ukrainian strikes in the area have already disrupted rail and road routes used to move people, fuel and military supplies. Ukraine’s Unmanned Systems Forces commander Robert Brovdi has said strikes on supply routes along the Azov Sea could soon cut Crimea off by land. He said traffic on the so-called Novorossiya road had fallen by more than two thirds over the past month, while attacks near Armyansk and on bridges have pushed Russia onto longer, more exposed routes.

Kyiv also unveiled a new domestically made weapons system today that officials said has no equivalent in any NATO country. Ukrainian officials link the project to their growing ability to strike Russian logistics and industrial targets at long range deep behind the front. In eastern Ukraine, Russian shelling and drone attacks killed three civilians over the past day and wounded at least four more. In Sumy region near the Russian border, two men aged 48 and 72 were killed, while separate strikes in Dnipropetrovsk region injured several other people.

Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said yesterday that Europe should not trust Vladimir Putin’s statements and should keep strengthening defence. He urged the EU to close the grey zones between Russia and the EU and NATO and to focus on deterrence rather than talks with the Kremlin.

In San Juan, Germany edged Ivory Coast late to move within reach of the final in the Olympic qualifying tournament. Ivory Coast had already beaten Lithuania on the same route and again showed it can trouble stronger opponents.

Volodymyr Zelenskiy confirmed that Ukraine has acquired 600 missiles from Germany. European leaders also instructed the European Commission to find ways to reduce trade with China.

Jordan executed six prisoners yesterday, ending a de facto nine-year pause in capital punishment. Several had been convicted of intentional murder, and the move opens the way for further executions in cases where death sentences are already final.

Oman said today that the United States and Iran are preparing a new round of indirect talks on Tehran’s nuclear programme after recent strikes in the region. Mediators say the agenda still centres on enrichment, sanctions relief and shipping security in the Strait of Hormuz. Israel is also working on a plan to avoid Donald Trump’s anger as relations are already strained, while Tehran says the Lebanon conflict will be the main issue in its contacts with Washington. A former U.S. senator said in Washington yesterday that Russia, China and Iran now act as a coordinated bloc, comments likely to sharpen debate in Congress over defence spending and sanctions.

At the World Cup, Japan took a crucial step toward the knockout stage after yesterday’s 2-2 draw with the Netherlands, while Tunisia stayed winless in Group F after a 1-0 loss to Sweden. The tournament is already producing historic scoring levels, helped by a new ball design and the expanded format, and Curaçao’s debut has also delivered a landmark goalkeeping feat. Off Ivory Coast, two German nationals were pulled from the water today after a leisure trip between Abidjan and Grand-Bassam went wrong. On Everest, Lithuanian climber Tomas has drawn global attention in recent days after summiting without supplemental oxygen and describing a body at 8,790 metres and a serac collapse.

Benjamin Netanyahu said Israeli troops will remain in southern Lebanon for as long as needed. After Donald Trump’s threats, Iran warned the United States to watch its words. Los Angeles declared an emergency over a fire and sent alerts to residents.