Term
Legionnaires’ disease
Legionnaires’ disease is a severe form of pneumonia caused by Legionella bacteria, which often grow in warm water systems. People usually catch it by inhaling contaminated water droplets, not from other people.
26 June 2026
Archived edition
Lithuania
Summary
More than 20 legionella cases have been confirmed in Vilnius and Kaunas over the past two days, and two people have died. Investigators are checking apartment-block hot water systems, measuring temperatures, taking samples and carrying out heat treatment in the highest-risk buildings.
In Brussels, NATO deputy secretary-general Radmila Sekerinska said Russia’s latest threats against the Baltic states reflect weakness in Ukraine, not preparations for a broader attack. NATO said eight multinational battlegroups are already deployed along the alliance’s eastern flank, including in Lithuania. FNTT chief Rolandas Kiskis said fines for breaches of international financial sanctions topped 6.2 million euros last year, while the agency received 232 reports of possible evasion.
Lithuania’s weather service issued a severe-level warning for western and southwestern districts as heavy rain and strong winds moved in from the Baltic. Forecasters warned of flooding, fallen trees and power cuts because the ground in those areas is already saturated.
Preliminary annual inflation for June reached 5.5%. Smaller banks are trying to fill an estimated 1 billion euro financing gap for small and medium-sized businesses, with specialised lenders’ loan books at 826 million euros last year and client deposits at 1.77 billion euros. A group of MPs appealed to the Constitutional Court over the new LRT law, while Vilnius Regional Court fined one defendant heavily in a construction corruption case linked to a project associated with MP Robertas Puchovicius.
President Gitanas Nausėda said he is ready to help ease tensions between Ukraine and Poland if both sides want such mediation. Lithuania is also facing a heatwave, with temperatures in some areas forecast to reach 37C and health risks classified as extreme. In Marijampolė, authorities are investigating an exceptionally brutal crime in which two people were tortured and killed, while a third survived.
sources: vz.lt, lrt.lt, tv3.lt, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt
Worth knowing
Top stories
Politics
From two NATO countries – a stern warning to the Baltic states about V. Putin
NATO deputy secretary-general Radmila Šekerinska said in Brussels that Russia’s recent threats against the Baltic states are a sign of weakness in Ukraine, not preparation for a wider strike. She pointed to Moscow’s threat to take a case to the International Court of Justice over alleged rights abuses and to a new Russian law on protecting citizens abroad. NATO says eight multinational battlegroups are already deployed along the alliance’s eastern flank, including in Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
Why it matters
For the Baltic states, the immediate risk is not just military. Legal claims, information pressure and talk of protecting Russian citizens abroad can be used to justify faster escalations and to test NATO’s response.
sources:lrytas.lt
Health
Legionella outbreak in Lithuania: 2 dead, more than 20 infected
More than 20 legionella cases have been logged in Vilnius and Kaunas over the past two days, and two people have died. Investigators are checking apartment-block hot water systems and water temperatures, since the bacteria multiply in warm plumbing. Public health officials and utility operators are carrying out heat-treatment of water systems and testing samples to identify the highest-risk buildings.
Why it matters
The highest risk sits with apartment residents, especially older people and those with chronic illness, because inhaling contaminated water droplets can trigger severe pneumonia. While buildings are tested and treated, some households may face temporary hot-water restrictions or disinfection measures.
sources:tv3.lt
Society
Large-scale warning issued for part of Lithuania, but it may not be over yet
Lithuania’s weather service issued a severe-level warning on June 26 for parts of the country as heavy rain and strong winds moved in from the Baltic. The alert covers western and southwestern districts, where saturated ground raises the risk of flooding, fallen trees and power cuts. Forecasters say the most dangerous phase may not be over yet, with more warnings possible as the low-pressure system tracks through the night and into the next day.
Why it matters
For residents in western Lithuania, the immediate risk is flooded yards, fallen trees and local power outages, especially where the rain hits already soaked ground. For municipal services and rescuers, it can mean more callouts for blocked roads, dangerous crossings and weather damage.
sources:delfi.lt
Crime
FNTT head Kiškis reveals the hottest information about million-euro crimes: numbers are staggering
On June 16, FNTT chief Rolandas Kiškis told lawmakers that fines for breaches of international financial sanctions topped 6.2 million euros last year. The agency said it received 232 reports of possible sanction-evasion cases and flagged vehicle sales, dual-use goods, document forgery and hidden origins of goods as the most common routes. Several cases were referred to Lithuanian and EU authorities, and the investigations are still running.
Why it matters
For traders in vehicles, machinery and components, the numbers point to tighter checks and a real risk of fines if paperwork or end-use records are wrong. For EU enforcement, the cases help map the routes used to divert restricted goods and technology into banned channels.
sources:lrytas.lt
Economy
Small banks become lifelines for SMEs: how 'SME Bank' helps fill a €1bn funding gap
On June 26, 2026, SME Bank drew fresh attention to small-business lending in Lithuania, building on earlier EIF-backed programmes that have already channelled tens of millions of euros to SMEs. Specialised banks’ loan books in Lithuania reached €826m last year, while client deposits rose to €1.77bn, underlining how smaller lenders are taking a bigger role where larger banks have become more cautious. More deals are likely in working capital, digitalisation and green investment finance in the coming weeks.
Why it matters
For small firms, more lenders means a better chance of getting cash when working capital runs short and investment plans would otherwise stall. Competition among specialised banks and guarantee-backed programmes can also improve pricing and terms for borrowers.
sources:lrytas.lt
Crime
In a construction corruption case: R. Puchovičius's project, for which a bribe was paid to obtain permits
Vilnius Regional Court handed down a verdict on June 25 in a construction corruption case tied to a real estate project linked to MP Robertas Puchovičius. The case centred on illegal payments made to secure construction permits and get project approvals, and one of the defendants was hit with a hefty fine. The ruling could now trigger further scrutiny of the permit process and the political links around private development.
Why it matters
Permitting agencies and city halls now face sharper questions over whether project approvals were distorted by bribery. For buyers and residents, that raises the risk that permit disputes could spill into projects already under way or sold.
Europe
Summary
Ukraine’s air force said it shot down 174 Russian drones and three missiles in overnight attacks across several regions. Two people were injured in a missile strike on Kyiv today, while Moscow Mayor Sergei Sobyanin said Ukraine launched a fresh drone attack on the Russian capital.
Volodymyr Zelenskiy yesterday approved a 40-day campaign by Ukraine’s security service to hit Russian targets. Ukrainian forces also destroyed a Russian 2S9 Nona-S self-propelled gun over the past 24 hours, the first recorded loss of that type in the war. The Soviet-era 120 mm system gives Russian airborne units close-range fire support as both a gun and a mortar.
In The Hague, NATO chief Mark Rutte said the alliance would respond to any Russian move against NATO and called such a step foolish. Summit talks focused on defence planning, Russia’s threat and readiness on the eastern flank, as regional warnings kept attention on the Baltic states as potential Kremlin targets.
Elsewhere in Europe, a German court delivered a guilty verdict against the person responsible for killing six people at a Christmas market. On Iran, IAEA chief Rafael Grossi said today that the country’s nuclear programme requires strict control.
German troops began exercises focused on defending Lithuania and are preparing for a new type of war. A Latvian court sentenced a man and a woman to prison for spying for Russia. Donald Trump threatened EU countries with 100% tariffs over the digital services tax.
sources: delfi.lt, tv3.lt, vz.lt, 15min.lt, lrytas.lt
Top stories
Politics
NATO chief warns Russia: we will respond to any foolish step
NATO chief Mark Rutte said in The Hague on June 25 that Russia would face a response to any move against the alliance, calling such a step foolish. He spoke after alliance leaders held talks on defence planning and Russia's threat to European security at the NATO summit. The message is meant to deter probing moves against NATO airspace, borders or infrastructure while allies keep bolstering readiness on the eastern flank.
Why it matters
For eastern-flank allies, the message points to tighter air defence, faster reinforcement and more pressure on Moscow to avoid border probes. If Russia tests NATO in the air, at sea or near the frontier, the first costs would fall on border regions and civilian infrastructure.
sources:15min.lt
Politics
Ukraine air defense neutralized 174 Russian drones and three missiles
Ukraine's air force said it intercepted 174 Russian drones and three missiles in a night attack across several regions between June 25 and June 26. The strike involved a mix of cruise and ballistic missiles, with drones aimed at both frontline and rear-area targets. Kyiv is now assessing casualties and damage, while air defences remain focused on major cities and energy sites.
Why it matters
Ukrainian civilians and the energy grid remain the main targets of this night-time campaign. Every drone and missile shot down lowers the risk of blackouts, transport disruption and damage to industrial hubs and major cities.
sources:delfi.lt
Politics
First of its kind: Ukrainians destroyed rare Russian military equipment
Ukrainian forces destroyed a Russian 2S9 Nona-S self-propelled gun in the past 24 hours, the first recorded loss of that type in the war, military trackers said on June 26. The Soviet-era 120 mm system doubles as a gun and mortar, giving Russian airborne units flexible fire support close to the front. Its loss shrinks a niche capability and gives Kyiv a chance to study a rare platform that has appeared only sparingly on the battlefield.
Why it matters
Russian airborne units lose one of their few light, mobile fire-support systems. On the front, that means fewer options for indirect fire from fast-moving formations and more strain on older vehicles and ammunition stocks.
sources:lrytas.lt
Politics
Russia rocked by one of the largest attacks: hundreds of drones strike
Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone assaults on Russia on June 18, with Russian authorities saying more than 1,000 drones were intercepted across the country. Explosions were reported in and around Moscow, and emergency crews were sent to strike sites after debris and blasts hit the capital region. Russian officials have since moved to tighten air defences and security around critical sites.
Why it matters
Residents in Moscow and nearby regions faced flight disruption, blast alerts and a tighter security regime. When energy and infrastructure sites are hit, the knock-on risk is temporary fuel bottlenecks and transport disruption in western Russia.
Politics
Zelensky announces a 40-day campaign to pressure Russia
Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on June 25 he had approved a 40-day campaign by Ukraine’s security service to press Russia to end the war. He made the announcement after a briefing with the security service chief on attacks against Russian targets and broader operations against the aggressor state. The push comes as Kyiv tries to sharpen its leverage ahead of summer fighting and force Moscow to react to mounting military and political pressure.
Why it matters
For Ukrainian civilians, the next six weeks could bring more strikes and more Russian retaliation, especially near the border and front-line regions. For European capitals, it raises the pressure to decide on sanctions, weapons and air-defence support just as the war enters a more active phase.
sources:delfi.lt
Politics
This could be a lesson for China and others: how Iran pressured the US
On June 26, attention in Lithuanian and regional coverage turned to Iran's methods of pressuring the United States through oil exports, overland routes and traffic across the Caspian Sea. Analysts said Tehran relies on cheaper channels that are harder to choke off, and that some payments with China are already settled in yuan. The model is now being cited as a template China could adapt in a future squeeze on Taiwan.
Why it matters
Oil markets, shipping firms and insurers are the first to feel it, because even a partial rerouting of flows can push up logistics costs and shake prices. For Washington and its allies, the lesson is that future coercion has to be met with stockpiles, transport planning and payment-system defences, not just military deterrence.
sources:tv3.lt
World
Summary
Israeli forces killed six Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon on Friday in strikes and clashes near the border. The fighting follows weeks of cross-border attacks around Nabatieh, and Israeli leaders say troops will remain in southern Lebanon as long as needed.
Powerful explosions shook Kyiv overnight after Russia launched ballistic missiles and air-raid alerts sounded across the capital. Ukraine’s General Staff also said Russia lost 1,310 troops over the past 24 hours, taking Moscow’s total losses since the full-scale invasion to about 1.31 million by Kyiv’s count. Iran issued a fresh threat to Israel today, while the IAEA chief called for stricter oversight of Iran’s nuclear programme after the war in the Middle East. South Korea said it plans to buy 20,000 low-cost military drones.
The 2026 World Cup has already become the highest-scoring and best-attended in history. Ecuador delivered one of Wednesday’s standout results by beating Germany 2-1 in New Jersey, where Gonzalo Plata scored in the 77th minute to send his team into the knockout stage for the first time since 2006. A draw between Japan and Sweden kept both teams on track for the next round, the Netherlands sealed another Group F win and a meeting with Morocco, and Australia and Paraguay are fighting for second place in Group D. Forbes’ latest ranking of the World Cup’s top earners kept Cristiano Ronaldo near the top alongside Kylian Mbappe and Neymar.
Congo has reported more than 300 Ebola deaths. The United Nations warned of an unprecedented surge in synthetic drugs. In Dubai, 23-year-old TikTok creator Brooke George has been accused of fatally stabbing a man and could face the death penalty.
The US launched fresh strikes on Iranian targets, and Donald Trump accused Tehran of brazenly violating the truce after an Iranian drone attack. Washington also fully renewed sanctions on Russia’s Rosneft and Lukoil, while Trump threatened EU countries with 100% tariffs over digital services taxes.
sources: vz.lt, tv3.lt, 15min.lt, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, lrt.lt
Top stories
Politics
Israeli forces in southern Lebanon kill six Hezbollah members
Israeli forces killed six Hezbollah members in southern Lebanon on June 26, 2026, in strikes and clashes near the border. The fighting comes after weeks of repeated cross-border attacks around Nabatieh and other strategic positions, with both sides accusing the other of breaching ceasefire terms. Israeli leaders have said their troops will stay in southern Lebanon as long as needed, keeping the frontier volatile.
Why it matters
Civilians in southern Lebanon and along Israel’s northern border are living with evacuations, shelling and airstrikes that keep hospitals, roads and farms under strain. The longer the clashes last, the harder it becomes for both sides to lock in a security deal that would reduce casualties on both sides of the frontier.
Politics
Russian forces lost 1,310 soldiers in the past day
Ukraine’s General Staff said on June 26 that Russian forces lost 1,310 troops over the previous 24 hours. The same daily tally put Russia’s total losses since the full-scale invasion began at about 1.31 million men, according to Kyiv’s count. The figures are published alongside equipment losses and point to fighting that remains heavy across the front.
Why it matters
For Ukraine, the toll feeds directly into manpower and ammunition planning. For European capitals, it is another sign that the war remains attritional, keeping pressure on aid flows and defence production.
sources:delfi.lt
Politics
Powerful explosions shake Kyiv as Russians launch ballistic missiles
Kyiv was rocked by several explosions overnight on June 26, 2026 after Russia launched ballistic missiles and air-raid alerts went out across the capital. Ukrainian air force warnings in recent months have described a mix of missile and drone strikes, and Kyiv was already hit by a hypersonic ballistic Oreshnik missile on May 24. After this latest barrage, Ukrainian military officials will assess strike sites and damage, which usually triggers fresh air-defence repositioning around the city.
Why it matters
Kyiv residents are once again being forced into shelters, while each ballistic launch raises the risk to apartment blocks, power systems and public transport in the capital. The strikes also drain Ukraine’s limited air-defence stocks and increase pressure on Western allies to speed up more interceptors and other weapons.
sources:tv3.lt
Society
Vacation ended in tragedy: TikTok star in Dubai faces death penalty
Brooke George, a 23-year-old TikTok creator from Gravesend, has been accused of stabbing a man in Dubai, according to Detained in Dubai. The pair met online and had been in a relationship, the advocacy group said. The case has drawn attention because the UAE can impose very severe penalties in serious criminal cases, and her legal fate now hinges on the court process and any defence support she can secure.
Why it matters
The case is a warning for British travellers and creators who may underestimate how far UAE criminal law can diverge from European norms. If the charges stick, the fallout could mean years behind bars, along with lasting damage to her family and online career.
Sports
Top earners at the World Cup
Forbes and 15min this month published fresh looks at the World Cup's best-paid players, with stars split between Saudi Arabia and top European clubs dominating the list. Cristiano Ronaldo remains one of football's biggest earners, while Kylian Mbappe and Neymar also rank near the top on a mix of club pay and endorsements. The money trail shows how the tournament has become a showcase not just for talent but for the sport's most marketable names, and that boosts the commercial pull around the event.
Why it matters
The biggest names draw attention because their salaries and endorsement deals dwarf the budgets of many national federations. That lifts demand for TV rights, sponsorships and tickets, while also raising the bar for smaller teams trying to compete for audience share and attention.
sources:vz.lt
Sports
Ecuador's tears of joy: Germany defeated and a knockout berth secured
Ecuador beat Germany 2-1 in New Jersey on Wednesday to book a place in the World Cup knockout stage. Gonzalo Plata scored the winner in the 77th minute after Germany had taken the lead. It is Ecuador’s first trip to the round of 32 since 2006, and the result sent players and fans into tears of relief and joy.
Why it matters
The result keeps Ecuador alive in the race for a deep World Cup run and gives the country its first knockout match in 20 years. For Germany, it means losing top spot in the group and facing a harder path in the next round.
sources:tv3.lt