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Kazlų Rūda municipality is declaring an emergency today after the weekend storm left some residents without water for a second day and, in some cases, short of food. Mayor Mantas Varaška is registering households that need help and preparing to ask the Lithuanian military to deliver water, food and medicines to harder-to-reach areas. The government said on Sunday that the damage from Saturday’s storm could be the worst Lithuania has seen in more than two decades.
In Anykščiai district, 9,755 customers were still without power today, while outages also knocked out parts of the water-supply and sewage system. Mayor Kęstutis Tubis said firefighters had to borrow fuel from farmers on Sunday because some filling stations were not operating. The municipality brought in a generator for one station, while Šakiai and Jonava districts also deployed generators to keep rural water plants running. Agriculture Minister Ignas Hofmanas Mažeika has proposed considering a nationwide emergency, and insurers say reported storm losses have already exceeded 1 million euros and could rise to 3 million euros.
In Kyiv, President Gitanas Nausėda said Lithuania is ready to deploy forces to Ukraine once conditions are in place and hostilities have credibly ceased. He was also awarded Ukraine’s Order of Freedom on the country’s Independence Day. Lithuania’s banking sector posted 282 million euros in first-quarter profit, while the housing-loan book grew to 15.1 billion euros. Since August 1, first-time buyers need a 10% down payment instead of 15%, but the 6% affordability stress test can still raise the minimum income threshold by about 9%. The state will also fund 21 students to study at the world’s top universities, while MIT researchers warned that a high-fat diet can trigger inflammatory and cancer-linked changes in the liver within months.
Kazlų Rūda Municipality declared a state of emergency after storm damage. The mayor said drinking water, food stocks and medical supplies are running low, and the military will help the municipality cope. In Telšiai, new details emerged in a murder case: the victim was struck 111 times and a 12-year-old is among the suspects.
sources: tv3.lt, delfi.lt, 15min.lt, lrytas.lt, vz.lt, lrt.lt
A coalition of the willing is a group of countries that choose to act together on a specific security or military issue without requiring full participation by every ally. Governments use the format to move faster on policy or operational planning.
Kazlų Rūda’s mayor Mantas Varaška said on Monday, August 24, 2026, he will declare a state of emergency after a storm left some residents without water and, in some cases, short of food. The municipality is registering households that need help, while spoiled food in fridges and outages to electricity have added to the disruption. Varaška said the priority is to reach every resident asking for aid, especially those without water for a second day. The declaration is tied to the post-storm emergency in the area.
Why it matters
Residents without drinking water, electricity and usable food are the immediate losers. The longer the disruption lasts, the heavier the burden on municipal aid teams and local shops that may be asked to supply isolated households.
Who benefits
Municipal aid teams and local suppliers gain a clearer mandate to deliver water and food, while residents without reserves or refrigeration lose out.
What's next
The next step is the municipality’s formal emergency declaration and the continued registration of households needing water and food deliveries.
On August 24, 2026, Kazlų Rūda is declaring a state of emergency after the weekend storm and is preparing to request help from the Lithuanian military. Local officials said soldiers could help deliver food, water and medicine to the hardest-to-reach areas, and assist with clearing storm debris in the town and surrounding districts. The problem is sharper in outlying settlements, where damaged access routes are slowing aid deliveries. The Lithuanian government said on Sunday the storm damage could be the worst in more than two decades. (m.diena.lt)
Why it matters
Residents in Kazlų Rūda's outlying settlements may wait longer for water, food and medicines if access roads remain blocked. Military support would let the municipality reach isolated homes faster and clear debris more quickly. (m.diena.lt)
A violent weekend storm left Anykščiai district in the dark on August 24, with 9,755 customers still without power and parts of the water and sewage system offline. Mayor Kęstutis Tubis said fire crews had to borrow fuel from farmers on Sunday after some filling stations stopped operating. The municipality also brought in a generator for one station, while its emergency commission met to decide whether to declare a formal emergency. Similar backup measures were being used in Šakiai and Jonava to keep rural water plants running.
Why it matters
Residents without power are also losing access to water in rural settlements, where pumps and treatment plants depend on electricity. When fuel stations and water plants go offline at the same time, the burden falls first on villages that lack backup power and spare capacity.
On Monday, Aug. 24, 2026, in Kyiv, President Gitanas Nausėda said Lithuania is ready to deploy forces to Ukraine once the conditions are in place. The meeting took place on Ukraine’s Independence Day, and the coalition’s joint statement said multinational forces would be prepared for deployment only after a credible cessation of hostilities. A day earlier, Nordic and Baltic leaders meeting with Ukraine in Kyiv, including Lithuania, backed long-term, legally binding security guarantees for the country.
Why it matters
The issue matters because Kyiv is not just seeking weapons, but a post-ceasefire allied presence that could help deter another Russian attack. Lithuania’s stance reinforces the Baltic push for security guarantees backed by real military capability rather than promises alone.
Lithuania’s banking sector made €282 million in profit in the first quarter, while the housing-loan book grew by €500 million to €15.1 billion. A SEB survey in July found that more than half of would-be buyers are looking at homes above €100,000, and only one in 10 is targeting the cheapest segment below €50,000. Since 1 August, first-time buyers need a 10% down payment instead of 15%, but the tougher 6% affordability stress test can lift the income bar by about 9%. The practical result is simple: a smaller deposit does not automatically make a mortgage easier to qualify for.
Why it matters
For home buyers, the issue is not just the deposit. Families targeting homes above €100,000 will feel the squeeze most, because monthly affordability checks still decide whether the loan goes through.
MIT researchers reported on January 13, 2026 that a high-fat diet in mice rewires liver cells within months and makes them more permissive to cancerous change. Their work mapped the sequence from inflammation to scarring and then to gene-expression shifts linked to tumor development. A separate 2026 study in Cancer Discovery found that metabolic stress activates cancer-associated programs in the liver. The takeaway is that fatty-liver disease is not just fat storage. It is a disease process that can move the organ closer to malignancy. (hst.mit.edu)
Why it matters
The highest risk sits with people who combine a high-fat diet with obesity, diabetes or fatty liver disease. Because early liver damage can be silent, the window for prevention is often missed until the disease is advanced. (aacrjournals.org)
The Kremlin today threatened to strike Kyiv "every day, every night". The warning came after Russian attacks in the Kyiv region killed at least 16 people over the past few days and after the capital was hit again with missiles and drones. Ukrainian officials say Moscow has stepped up ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv as Ukraine runs short of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors.
Russian authorities and Ozon said Ukrainian drone strikes hit two of the retailer's logistics sites in Russia over the past two days. A warehouse was damaged in Orenburg region, while a hub in Krasnodar burned across 9,000 square metres before the fire was extinguished. In Krasnodar region, two children were killed after debris from a Ukrainian drone hit a private childcare centre. Governor Veniamin Kondratyev said nine other people were injured, including seven children. In Ukraine, officials said a Russian strike on the outskirts of Kharkiv killed three people late yesterday.
Manchester mayor Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv today and handed over newly declassified blueprints intended to help Ukraine expand long-range missile production. European Council President António Costa was also in Kyiv and repeated that support for Ukraine would last for as long as it takes. Bulgaria tightened security at Bezmer air base after reports that Iran had considered strikes on U.S. targets in southeastern Europe, even though Sofia assessed the threat at a lower level than the one it prepared for. Two U.S. tanker aircraft left Bulgaria today, about a month after their deployment angered Tehran.
The latest strikes fit a broader Ukrainian campaign against Russian rear-area infrastructure. The Institute for the Study of War says Ukraine's strike capability is expanding, while Russian sources say pressure on refineries and logistics is rising.
July was the deadliest month of the war for Ukrainian civilians. After a Ukrainian strike, one of Russia's largest oil refineries halted operations.
sources: delfi.lt, 15min.lt, lrytas.lt, lrt.lt, vz.lt, tv3.lt
The European Council brings together EU heads of state and government and sets the bloc's overall political direction. It does not pass laws, but it decides the EU's broad strategy on major issues including support for Ukraine.
The Kremlin on August 24 threatened to hit Kyiv every day and every night, after a fresh exchange of strikes between Russia and Ukraine. The warning came after Russia’s recent barrages killed at least 16 people in the Kyiv region and pounded the capital again on August 20 with missiles and drones. Ukrainian officials say Moscow has stepped up its ballistic missile attacks on Kyiv in recent months as Ukraine runs short of U.S.-made Patriot interceptors. The threat also lands after Ukraine carried out some of its biggest drone attacks on Russian territory since the war began.
Why it matters
For Kyiv residents, it means a higher risk of repeated overnight strikes and more strain on shelters, emergency services and air defences already running short of interceptors. For Europe, the escalation raises the pressure on air defence supplies, refugee support and broader security planning.
Who benefits
The Kremlin and Russia’s military command gain leverage, while Kyiv civilians, Ukraine’s air defences and emergency services bear the cost.
What's next
The next key test is fresh air-defence aid decisions from the U.S. and European allies, because interceptor stocks will decide how long Kyiv can keep absorbing the attacks.
Andy Burnham arrived in Kyiv on Aug. 24 and handed over newly declassified blueprints intended to help Ukraine expand long-range missile production. Moscow accused Britain of “adding fuel to the fire” and warned of escalation, but London said its backing for Ukraine was unchanged. The visit landed on Ukraine’s Independence Day, with European Council President António Costa also in Kyiv pledging support for as long as it takes.
Why it matters
Ukrainian arms producers stand to scale up long-range missile output faster, which could widen pressure on Russian rear-area targets. The Kremlin loses the deterrent effect it wanted from its warnings, while Britain and European partners show the support line is still intact.
Bulgaria stepped up security at Bezmer air base after reports that Iran had considered strikes on US targets in southeastern Europe. The interior minister said all possible measures were taken with the defence ministry, even though the intelligence threat rating was lower than the level officials prepared for. Two US tanker aircraft left Bulgaria on Aug. 24, about a month after their deployment drew anger from Tehran. The move comes as Washington intensifies pressure on Iran and regional governments brace for possible retaliation.
Why it matters
Bulgarian and US military facilities now face a higher security burden in a country that could become a staging point in a wider Iran-US confrontation. The risk reaches base personnel, nearby residents and governments trying to balance defence cooperation with the danger of retaliation.
Ukrainian drone strikes hit two Ozon logistics sites in Russia on Aug. 23 and Aug. 24, damaging a warehouse in the Orenburg region and sparking a fire at a hub in Krasnodar. Russian officials said two industrial facilities were struck in Orenburg, while Ozon said staff were evacuated from the site. In Krasnodar, the blaze spread across 9,000 square metres before being extinguished.
Why it matters
The strikes disrupt Russian e-commerce supply chains and force temporary shutdowns at warehouse sites. The immediate fallout hits workers, customers and regional logistics that Russia also relies on for dual-use flows.
Two children were killed and nine people, including seven children, were injured in Russia's Krasnodar region on Aug. 24 after debris from a Ukrainian drone hit a private childcare centre, governor Veniamin Kondratyev said. In Ukraine, officials said a Russian strike on the outskirts of Kharkiv killed three people late on Aug. 23. The incident comes as both sides have stepped up drone attacks on border regions and rear areas in recent days. The focus is shifting further onto civilian sites and local air defence systems.
Why it matters
Childcare staff, children and families in Krasnodar now face direct risk from drone debris, while local authorities have to harden civilian sites. Border regions in Ukraine and southern Russia are becoming a more expensive problem for air defence and emergency services.
On Aug. 21, several Russian drones hit a shopping centre in Kryvyi Rih and killed at least 16 people. A day later, a Ukrainian drone strike in Russia’s Krasnodar region killed three people. On Aug. 6, President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said Ukraine had hit more oil facilities deep inside Russia overnight, part of a campaign aimed at Russia’s war economy. The latest assessment from the Institute for the Study of War said Ukraine’s strike capability is expanding, while Russian sources say pressure on refineries and logistics is mounting.
Why it matters
Ukrainian civilians keep paying the heaviest price, with Russian strikes hitting city centres, shops and residential areas. At the same time, Russia’s refining and logistics sectors face a growing long-range drone threat that could feed through to military supply chains and fuel availability.
Scott Bessent said on Sunday that Washington will launch a new sanctions drive against Iran and its trading partners on Monday. The US Treasury secretary called it an “economic D-Day” for Iran in the Financial Times and is due to present details at a 2 p.m. EDT press conference. Tehran said on Sunday that support by any state for the new US economic measures would be treated as an act of war. Donald Trump said before the rollout that Iran is “collapsing”, while 15min reported a $10 million offer targeting his youngest son. Last week, LRT reported that Iranian defence official Ali Hatami had offered $30,000 for the killing or capture of US troops.
In the West Bank, 14-year-old Islam Ahmad Ajjouri was killed during an Israeli military raid on Askar al-Jadid refugee camp east of Nablus. The Palestinian Red Crescent said he was shot in the chest and back, and the health ministry later confirmed his death. Two days earlier, 17-year-old Karim Sanad Shalaldeh was killed in Sa’ir near Hebron, and another 14-year-old was wounded in a separate raid in Zababdeh near Jenin.
In Nevada, the Hawk Fire grew to more than 10,500 acres on Sunday and pushed into Reno’s northwestern edge. More than 40,000 people were evacuated, Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency, and the National Guard was activated. In Siberia, Yakutia has recorded 485 forest fires this season that have burned 1,293,156.01 hectares, more than nine times the area burned in the same period last year.
Benjamin Netanyahu said Iran tried to kill one of his sons. At the same time, US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pledged to cut off Iran’s economic lifelines, while the Pentagon said Washington does not rule out the use of military force against Tehran.
sources: delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt, lrt.lt, vz.lt, tv3.lt
The US National Guard is a reserve military force that can be activated by state governors or the federal government. It is often used in natural disasters, mass evacuations and domestic emergencies.
A 14-year-old Palestinian, Islam Ahmad Ajjouri, was killed on Aug. 23 during an Israeli military raid on Askar al-Jadid refugee camp east of Nablus, Palestinian officials said. The Palestinian Red Crescent said he was treated for live-fire wounds to the chest and back before his death was confirmed by the health ministry. The killing came two days after another Palestinian teenager was shot dead in Sa’ir near Hebron, underscoring how often West Bank raids are turning lethal. In a separate raid in Zababdeh near Jenin on Aug. 21, a 14-year-old was wounded, showing the pace of the Israeli operations across the occupied territory.
Why it matters
Palestinian families in the West Bank face the risk that raids can turn fatal for children and teenagers, while local hospitals are left treating live-fire wounds. Repeated killings and injuries in the Nablus, Hebron and Jenin areas raise pressure over Israeli troop conduct and Palestinian civilian safety.
Who benefits
The Israeli military gains operational room to keep raiding suspected militant areas, while Palestinian civilians, especially teenagers and their families, bear the losses.
What's next
The next watchpoint is whether Palestinian health officials or the Israeli military report more casualties, arrests or follow-on raids linked to the Askar operation.
15min published a story today, 2026-08-24, under the headline saying Iran is targeting Trump’s youngest son with a $10 million offer, but the headline alone does not identify the person or spell out the alleged terms. That comes after a separate LRT report last week said an Iranian defense official offered $30,000 for the killing or capture of U.S. troops, showing that financial threats against U.S. targets have been aired publicly before. The Trump family’s business empire has also been in the spotlight this year, including ventures tied to defense and crypto interests. The key question now is whether U.S. officials treat this as a fresh threat and respond with new security measures.
Why it matters
Trump family security, federal threat assessments and campaign messaging are all affected if the Iranian statement is treated as a real threat rather than rhetoric. It can push the Secret Service to harden protection and add another layer of tension between Washington and Tehran.
A fast-moving wildfire in Washoe County pushed into Reno's northwestern edge on Sunday and forced tens of thousands of people to leave. Fire crews said the blaze jumped over fire engines, while gusty winds and dry brush made the fire hard to pin down. The Hawk Fire had grown to more than 10,500 acres, and Nevada Governor Joe Lombardo declared a state of emergency in Washoe County and activated the National Guard. Evacuation zones reached the edge of the University of Nevada, while some residents were directed to the Reno-Sparks Convention Center.
Why it matters
Reno households and local businesses face not only the fire but also days of disruption, with road closures and a crowded evacuation system. Thousands of families are now out of their homes, while emergency crews must secure empty neighborhoods against looting and further damage.
Yakutia has recorded 485 forest fires since the start of the 2026 season, burning 1,293,156.01 hectares by Aug. 24, according to the regional emergencies ministry. Of that total, 1,023,142.51 hectares were forest land and 270,013.5 hectares were non-forest land. The republic has been under an enhanced fire regime since July 10, with a regional forest emergency in force. The ministry says the burned area is more than nine times larger than in the same period last year. (14.mchs.gov.ru)
Why it matters
For residents in remote Yakutian settlements and for the forestry sector, the fire season means longer restrictions, higher risks to infrastructure and more expensive suppression in hard-to-reach terrain. Once more than a million hectares have burned, the strain hits roads, communications and local budgets that must absorb the damage. (14.mchs.gov.ru)
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said on Sunday that Washington will roll out a fresh sanctions push against Iran and its trading partners on Monday, calling it an economic D-Day. In a Financial Times opinion piece, he said the campaign will target countries that keep money and commerce flowing to Tehran. Bessent is due to lay out the measures at a press conference at 2 p.m. EDT on Monday. Iran's top security body warned the same day that backing the new U.S. economic measures would be treated as an act of war. (investing.com)
Why it matters
The new measures could hit Iran’s oil trade and the brokers, shippers and banks that keep it moving, pushing the pain well beyond Iran’s borders. If Washington widens the net, shipping, insurance and payments across the region face fresh disruption. (investing.com)
Palmira’s August 24 horoscope says the day will be tied to old mistakes and long-postponed matters, with one zodiac sign facing a hard choice. A 15min forecast published at 21:30 on August 23 warns that first impressions may be misleading and urges people not to rush decisions. Another daily forecast for August 24 puts order before spontaneity and points readers back to unfinished work and unresolved personal issues. The common thread is caution, not momentum.
Why it matters
People dealing with money, work or relationship decisions today are the group most exposed. The real risk is not a new shock but a rushed choice on something that has already been left too long.