Law
Constitution of Lithuania
Lithuania’s constitution sets the basic rules of the state, including institutions, powers and core security principles. Amending it requires a formal procedure and a qualified majority in parliament.
6 October 2026
Archived edition
Lithuania
Summary
The Kremlin said that deploying nuclear weapons or a permanent U.S. base in Lithuania would amount to escalation. Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said today that Lithuania would pay the costs of a permanent U.S. base if Washington agreed to establish one. Donald Trump said yesterday in Washington that he would seriously consider a permanent base in Lithuania, while Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said no decision has been taken. U.S. forces have rotated through Lithuania since 2014, and two battalions due in late October will lift the American presence back above 1,000 troops.
President Gitanas Nauseda welcomed statements about a possible permanent US troop base in Lithuania, calling it very good news. Lawmaker Rokas Motuzas said that, if such a base were established, US troops would not need additional permits to operate in Lithuania in a crisis.
sources: 15min.lt, vz.lt, tv3.lt, delfi.lt, lrt.lt, lrytas.lt
Worth knowing
Top stories
Politics
Prime Minister: Lithuania ready to finance permanent US troop deployment
Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius told Bloomberg today that Lithuania is ready to cover the cost of a permanent US military base if Washington is open to it. He said Vilnius would push for the best possible terms for the soldiers and for setting up the base in Lithuania. The pitch is aimed at keeping a lasting American military footprint in the country. The key question now is whether the US would agree to such a deployment.
Why it matters
It would put direct pressure on Lithuania’s defence budget and military infrastructure plans, since the host nation would shoulder the bill. A permanent US presence would strengthen deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank and could also benefit local contractors and infrastructure suppliers.
Who benefits
Lithuania’s defence establishment, along with construction and logistics firms, would gain, while the state budget would take the hit from extra spending on the base and support services.
What's next
The next step depends on whether the US agrees to a permanent base and opens formal talks with Vilnius on funding and deployment terms.
sources:tv3.lt
Politics
M. Sinkevičius: Lithuania ready to cover US base expenses
On October 6, 2026, Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Lithuania is ready to cover the costs if partners decide on a permanent U.S. troop presence in the country. He was responding to Donald Trump’s October 5 remark that Washington would consider setting up a permanent base in Lithuania. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said the idea was also raised in his talks in Washington in late September, but no decision has been taken yet. BNS said the U.S. has rotated forces in Lithuania since 2014 and that two battalions are due to arrive at the end of October, taking the presence back to more than 1,000 troops. (lrt.lt)
Why it matters
A permanent U.S. presence would strengthen deterrence on NATO’s eastern flank and reduce reliance on a purely rotational model, which Lithuanian officials describe as central to security. It would also mean longer-term budget commitments for infrastructure and support. (lrt.lt)
sources:lrt.lt
Politics
Minister K. Mažeika faces accusations of pressuring: NMA chief mentioned in history
An opposition Conservative lawmaker asked parliament’s anti-corruption commission on Oct. 6 to examine whether Agriculture Minister Kestutis Mazeika pressured former National Paying Agency chief Fortunatas Dirgincius. The request stems from a Sept. 21 meeting at the ministry, where a 140,000 euro penalty on an Elektrenai farmer was discussed even though Lithuania’s top administrative court had upheld the sanction. Dirgincius was later suspended, and the ministry appointed Karolis Tvaskus as acting head. Mazeika says he has answered all questions and insists the meeting was spontaneous.
Why it matters
The agency oversees farm subsidies and penalties, so a dispute over one farmer’s case reaches well beyond a single file. If parliament opens a probe, it could affect the ministry’s ties with farm lobby groups and confidence in how EU and national money is handled.
sources:lrytas.lt
Crime
Two men face maximum sentence after brutal killing of pensioners and arson of their home
On October 6, 2026, prosecutors in Vilnius asked the court to impose life imprisonment on two men from the Šalčininkai district over the brutal killing and robbery of two elderly women. Prosecutors say the men stole cash from the victims and then set their homes on fire to hide the crimes. The investigation began after a string of house fires in the district, where investigators found the burned bodies of elderly people. The two defendants face eight criminal charges in total. (archyvai.lrt.lt)
Why it matters
The court now has to decide whether to hand down Lithuania’s toughest punishment, which would keep the defendants in prison for life. For the victims’ families, the case also carries a long road of property loss and damage claims, because the alleged crimes include both robbery and arson. (archyvai.lrt.lt)
sources:tv3.lt
Politics
Short on a US military base in Lithuania: 'We will really consider it'
On October 5, in Washington, Donald Trump said he would definitely consider a permanent U.S. base in Lithuania after a question from LRT correspondent Augustinas Šemelis. The comment came after Lithuanian officials had already floated the idea to senior Pentagon figures, including Elbridge Colby, and after Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius said Vilnius would be ready to cover the costs. Defence Minister Robertas Kaunas said two U.S. battalions are due in Lithuania in late October, while the current nine-month rotation will stay in place. No decision has been announced yet.
Why it matters
A permanent U.S. base would mean a larger American military footprint in Lithuania and fresh costs for the host nation. It would also shape defence planning in the Baltic region and bring more work for U.S. forces and local infrastructure contractors.
sources:15min.lt
Economy
Investor P. Beniušis completed 100 trades in a month: reduced loss from 30% to 2%
Paulius Beniušis says he made 100 trades in a month and cut his portfolio loss from 30% to 2%. He is investment projects head at Nter Asset Management, and his portfolio now spans ETFs, individual stocks, private debt funds, crowdfunding and cash. He started trading options actively over the summer after previously being a passive ETF investor. He says options can be used both to add return and to manage portfolio risk.
Why it matters
For retail investors, it shows how active derivatives trading can dramatically change portfolio performance, but also demands tighter discipline and risk control. It also matters to brokers and asset managers, because rising interest in options is changing demand for more complex products.
sources:vz.lt
Europe
Summary
Two people were killed and nine injured in the Moscow region in an overnight Ukrainian drone attack. Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said more than 650 drones headed toward the capital, and all four main Moscow airports temporarily restricted operations in the morning.
Power crews were restoring electricity in villages near Domodedovo after the strikes, and local officials also reported a warehouse fire. Pressure on Russia’s fuel network has also intensified after Ukraine’s defence ministry said recent strikes, including attacks in the Moscow area, had knocked out 51% of Russian refining capacity. President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Monday that Russia was preparing a new large-scale strike on Ukraine.
In Kyiv, Russia’s strikes on Sunday damaged the Northern Bridge over the Dnipro after earlier attacks had already forced traffic limits on three other crossings in the capital. The city has also been hit by a new wave of fast jet-powered drones, while Chancellor Friedrich Merz in Berlin unveiled about 1 billion euros in fresh military aid for Ukraine. Poland said today it will deploy new units, Abrams tanks and Patriot air-defence systems in the Lublin region near the Ukrainian border.
NATO fighters on Baltic air-policing duty were scrambled five times between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4 to identify and escort Russian aircraft that broke flight rules. Lithuania’s defence ministry said the missions involved an AN-26, two Su-35s and four Su-30SMs flying between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad, often without a flight plan or transponder.
A Russian drone struck a police car in Kramatorsk, killing one officer. Later, Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned that Russia was preparing a new large-scale attack on Ukraine.
sources: delfi.lt, 15min.lt, lrt.lt, lrytas.lt, tv3.lt
Worth knowing
Term
Baltic Air Policing
Baltic Air Policing is a NATO mission that patrols and protects the airspace of Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania. Allied air forces rotate through the mission because the Baltic states do not maintain full fighter fleets for permanent air policing.
Top stories
Politics
Mass drone attack shakes Moscow: all airports to be closed
Ukraine launched one of its biggest drone waves against the Moscow area overnight on Oct. 6, killing two people and injuring nine, according to the regional governor. Moscow said more than 650 drones were launched at the capital region and that most were shot down. All four Moscow airports were temporarily suspended as the attack rolled through the city’s airspace. Power crews were also restoring electricity in parts of the Domodedovo area after strikes hit nearby villages. (investing.com)
Why it matters
The biggest immediate hit lands on residents in the Moscow suburbs and on airlines, because drone strikes can knock out flights, power and local transport in a single night. The attack also stretches Russian air defences and exposes how vulnerable the capital region remains despite heavy protection. (investing.com)
Who benefits
Ukraine’s military and its backers gain leverage, while Moscow-based airlines, passengers and regional utilities take the losses. (investing.com)
What's next
The next thing to watch is when Moscow authorities and Rosaviatsia lift the flight restrictions and publish a fuller damage assessment from the Oct. 6 overnight attack. (lrt.lt)
sources:15min.lt
Politics
NATO fighters scrambled five times due to Russian aircraft
Between Sept. 28 and Oct. 4, NATO jets on Baltic air-policing duty scrambled five times to identify and escort Russian aircraft that broke flight rules, Lithuania’s defence ministry said. The flights on Oct. 1 and Oct. 2 involved an AN-26, two Su-35s and four Su-30SMs moving between mainland Russia and Kaliningrad, often without a flight plan or transponder. On Oct. 3, the alliance also launched jets toward an unidentified object, but the target was not found. (kam.lt)
Why it matters
For the crews policing Baltic airspace, each scramble means an immediate readiness test and extra pressure on aircraft, fuel and maintenance in Šiauliai and Ämari. The pattern also matters because it keeps NATO surveillance tied up on routes linking mainland Russia with Kaliningrad. (ac.nato.int)
sources:delfi.lt
Politics
From Ukraine: I watched a city being destroyed in real time
Russian strikes on October 5 damaged Kyiv’s Northern Bridge after days of attacks that forced traffic limits on three crossings over the Dnipro. Le Monde said the capital has been hit by a new wave of fast jet-powered drones, leaving residents and officials describing a city that feels like a front line. On the same day, Germany’s Friedrich Merz unveiled fresh aid for Ukraine, including about 1 billion euros in military support and new counter-drone assets. (apnews.com)
Why it matters
Kyiv civilians are paying the immediate price as the attacks hit bridges, traffic and daily movement across the Dnipro. Germany’s new package strengthens Ukraine’s air defence and counter-drone tools, but it also shows how dependent the city has become on allied military support. (apnews.com)
sources:delfi.lt
Politics
Poland sends tanks, soldiers and Patriot systems to the border with Ukraine
On 2026-10-06, Polish Defence Minister Wladyslaw Kosiniak-Kamysz said new units, Abrams tanks and Patriot air defence systems will be deployed in the Lublin region near the Ukrainian border. He said the Patriot battery decision was taken several weeks ago and that this is the first such deployment in the Lublin area. He also said he plans to visit the troops now stationed there to secure the region.
Why it matters
For residents of the Lublin region, it means a heavier military and air-defence footprint right on the border, where rapid response to aerial threats matters most. For Ukraine, the move matters because a stronger Polish border shield lowers the risk to cross-border infrastructure and traffic.
Politics
Drones attack Moscow: large oil refinery could have been targeted
Moscow mayor Sergei Sobyanin said 650 drones were heading for the capital from 2030 local time on Oct. 5 to 0500 on Oct. 6. Ukraine’s defense ministry also claimed on Monday that recent strikes, including attacks on sites in Moscow, had knocked out 51% of Russia’s refining capacity. Russian officials have not confirmed damage on that scale, but Moscow’s fuel infrastructure has been hit repeatedly this year. The key question now is whether authorities will name the exact target and whether overnight damage forced any curbs at a major Moscow refinery.
Why it matters
If refinery units were hit, the pressure lands directly on the Moscow fuel system, which supplies gasoline and diesel to the capital and the military. For Kyiv, it keeps Russia’s energy infrastructure in the crosshairs, while Moscow has to defend the city and manage any supply disruptions.
sources:delfi.lt
Energy
Lithuania and Poland to sign Harmony Link interconnection point agreement
Lithuania and Poland will sign the Harmony Link connection-point agreement in Vilnius on October 8, with grid operators Litgrid and PSE signing in the presence of Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius and the two energy ministers. The document will set the final timetable for delivery and testing of the planned onshore interconnector, including the latest possible date for it to enter service. Harmony Link is the second power link between the two countries and has been redesigned as a land-based line after the earlier sea cable plan. The project is meant to lift trading capacity to 1.2 gigawatts in both directions.
Why it matters
The deal sets the clock on when Lithuania and Poland can get a second physical route for power flows, which matters for traders, grid operators and big industrial users. More capacity should also reduce the risk of bottlenecks on the existing Lithuania-Poland link.
sources:tv3.lt
World
Summary
Israel's defence minister ordered the military today to raise readiness in Gaza after intelligence suggested Hamas could target Israeli forces on the October 7 anniversary. The order followed a security review at the Kissufim border post with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel Katz and the head of Southern Command. President Isaac Herzog opened the official memorial observance in Jerusalem yesterday by lowering the flag to half-mast.
Saudi Arabia said three people were injured in attacks on Jazan and Najran airports on Monday evening. The Houthis also claimed strikes on Riyadh airport, a refinery in Rabigh and other targets in the kingdom's south. Iran said today that US forces had been pulled back about 1,000 km from its border. The US military separately confirmed that some logistics and command functions in the Gulf had been moved farther from Iran. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said in recent days that Tehran was waiting for a formal US reply to proposals on ending the war and securing the Strait of Hormuz. The United States also dispatched bombers from a base in the UK over a possible Iranian attack.
Investigators are examining how Omani national Hamam al-Hammami passed checks before boarding a Flydubai flight from Dubai to Tel Aviv. Israeli sources cited by CNN say the co-pilot likely intended to hit Ben Gurion Airport, and security procedures are now under review in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Israel. Donald Trump said at a rally in Grand Island yesterday that war with Iran was "a small price to pay" and that Tehran could "take out" Los Angeles or San Diego. The White House said today he was not calling for attacks on US cities, but arguing that Washington had contained the threat.
In Quito, hundreds of people brought dogs and cats to San Francisco Square today for the annual pet blessing linked to the feast of St Francis of Assisi.
Yemen's government forces launched an operation against the Houthis, marking a renewed escalation in the country's fighting. In U.S. markets, the Nasdaq and S&P 500 closed at record highs while Treasury yields fell.
sources: delfi.lt, lrt.lt, 15min.lt, lrytas.lt, tv3.lt
Worth knowing
Term
Strait of Hormuz
The Strait of Hormuz links the Gulf to the Gulf of Oman and carries a large share of the world's seaborne oil trade. Any disruption there can quickly hit energy prices and naval security.
Top stories
Crime
CNN: FlyDubai hijacker aimed to attack Ben Gurion Airport
Investigators now say the Flydubai co-pilot suspected of trying to seize the jet likely meant to hit Ben Gurion Airport, Israel's main international gateway. The suspect, Omani national Hamam al-Hammami, may have acted alone, with no known link yet to a militant group. The UAE is leading the probe into how he passed checks before boarding an Israel-bound flight. Security procedures in Dubai, Saudi Arabia and Israel are now under review. (archyvai.lrt.lt)
Why it matters
Israeli passengers and airline crews are facing tighter checks and longer delays on flights into Ben Gurion. Flydubai and other regional carriers now have to show how a pilot could clear preflight screening without raising alarm. (archyvai.lrt.lt)
Who benefits
Israel, the UAE and Saudi security agencies stand to gain authority, while Flydubai's reputation and passenger convenience take the hit. (archyvai.lrt.lt)
What's next
UAE investigators are expected to spell out how Hamam al-Hammami cleared screening for the Tel Aviv flight and why warning signs were missed before takeoff. (apnews.com)
sources:lrt.lt
Politics
Attacks on Saudi Arabian airports injure 3 people
Three people were injured when attacks hit airports in Jazan and Najran on Monday evening, Saudi Arabia’s civil aviation authority said on Tuesday. The authority said the wounds were minor and the damage was limited. The Houthis separately claimed strikes on Riyadh airport, a refinery in Rabigh and other sites in the kingdom. Saudi aviation officials are now assessing the damage and moving to protect passengers, staff and the civil aviation network. (saudigazette.com.sa)
Why it matters
The immediate risk is disruption to air traffic near the Yemeni border and higher security costs for Saudi airports. If runways or terminal systems are damaged further, airlines, passengers and regional supply chains take the hit. (saudigazette.com.sa)
sources:15min.lt
Politics
As the October 7 attack anniversary approaches, Israel declares military readiness
Israel’s defence minister ordered the military to step up readiness in Gaza on October 6, saying intelligence suggests Hamas may try to hit Israeli forces on the October 7 anniversary. Israel Katz told commanders to take preventive action against any warning and to respond forcefully to any threat. The move followed a joint security review this week with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior military officers at the Kissufim border post. President Isaac Herzog opened the official memorial day in Jerusalem on October 5 by lowering the flag to half-mast.
Why it matters
For soldiers on the Gaza line and nearby Israeli communities, the order means tighter patrols, more troops and a lower threshold for force if anything flares up. It also narrows Hamas’s room to stage a symbolic attack that could affect ceasefire talks.
Politics
That is a small price: Trump did not rule out destroying Los Angeles in a war with Iran
On Oct. 5, 2026, Trump told a rally in Grand Island, Nebraska, that the war with Iran was “a small price to pay” and said Tehran could “take out” Los Angeles or San Diego. He tied the conflict to higher fuel and commodity prices and said the war would end soon. On Oct. 6, the White House said he was not calling for attacks on U.S. cities, but arguing that America was safer because Iran had been checked.
Why it matters
For Los Angeles and San Diego, the comments turned a war message into a local safety issue, forcing city leaders to respond publicly. For Republicans, the episode adds risk ahead of the November vote because it links the Iran war, higher prices and Trump’s campaign message in one controversy.
sources:15min.lt
Politics
Iran war IRGC: US has withdrawn 1000 km from Iran border
The IRGC said on October 6 that the United States had pulled forces about 1,000 km back from Iran’s border, while the U.S. military has separately acknowledged shifting some logistics and command functions farther from Iran in the Gulf. That follows months of drone and missile threats that have forced Washington to revisit its posture in Kuwait, Qatar and Bahrain. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has also said in recent days that Tehran is waiting for a formal U.S. reply on proposals to end the war and on the security of the Strait of Hormuz. The military repositioning is happening alongside fragile talks over a ceasefire and shipping lanes.
Why it matters
For U.S. troops and logistics hubs across the Gulf, the shift means longer supply lines, higher protection costs and less exposure to short-range attacks. Oil traders and shipping lines are watching whether the repositioning helps stabilize traffic through the Strait of Hormuz.
sources:delfi.lt
Culture
In Ecuadoran capital people with pets gathered for a pet blessing ceremony
Hundreds of people brought dogs and cats to San Francisco Square in Quito on Oct. 3, 2026, for a pet blessing ceremony. The event marked the feast of St. Francis of Assisi, whom Catholics honour as the patron saint of animals. It took place in the historic centre and drew families taking part in an annual church tradition. The rite is expected to return next year around the same feast.
Why it matters
For pet owners, it is a public church ritual that turns a religious feast into a family gathering in Quito’s historic centre. For the Franciscan parish, it is a way to keep a direct link with city residents and give the St. Francis celebration more visibility.
sources:lrt.lt