Term
Excise duty
Excise duty is a special tax charged on selected goods such as fuel, alcohol and tobacco. It feeds directly into the price paid by consumers.
6 November 2026
Archived edition
Lithuania
Summary
Germany launched two military exercises in Lithuania today, Freedom Shield 26-II and Grand Eagle 26, involving more than 6,000 troops. The heaviest military vehicle movements are scheduled for today and tomorrow from the Kalvarija border crossing, followed by convoy traffic from Klaipeda to training areas, while German brigade elements will also train at Rudninkai until early December.
Lithuania's defence minister Robertas Kaunas said today that the situation on the Kaliningrad border is calmer than in Poland. He said the army has been assisting border guards since October 8, the deployment has been extended to mid-November, and Lithuanian and Polish intelligence chiefs exchanged information today on possible provocations. The interior ministry said the Lithuanian side remains calm, although army units have recently been sent to Panemune and Pagegiai.
A Lithuanian-made counter-drone system, Sky Viper Wall, was unveiled in Vilnius today and its interceptor drones autonomously shot down two target drones in tests with the armed forces. The system combines a 360-degree radar, electronic and optical sensor suite with fast Defender interceptor drones, and the military for the first time activated a 600-gram explosive payload during the demonstration. Several Defender drones have already been sent to Ukraine for use with local radar systems.
Lithuanian household deposits reached 30.7 billion euros in September, up from 26.6 billion a year earlier, with banks linking part of the rise to the second-pillar pension overhaul that has already released about 3 billion euros. Fuel retailers say wholesale diesel in Lithuania jumped by 15 cents a litre overnight, while business groups warn that planned tax changes next year could add almost another 10 cents a litre. Kazlu Ruda municipality today lifted the local emergency declared in July over the unsafe dam at the Jure village pond after late-October repairs restored normal water levels and stabilised the structure first flagged as unsafe in 2018.
Late developments centred on public finances and labour unrest: the State Audit Office demanded a plan to address the widening budget deficit, while Gintautas Pangonis was convicted in the Grigeo pollution case. Teachers also warned they could launch a nationwide strike if talks with the government fail.
sources: vz.lt, tv3.lt, 15min.lt, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, lrt.lt
Worth knowing
Top stories
Politics
German military exercises begin in Lithuania with over 6,000 soldiers
Germany has started two military exercises in Lithuania on November 6, with the heaviest vehicle movements set for November 6-7 from the Kalvarija border crossing and for November 10-12 from Klaipėda to the training areas. The drills are called Freedom Shield 26-II and Grand Eagle 26, and they will run in Lithuania until December 3. More than 6,000 troops are involved. The German brigade elements are also scheduled to train at Rūdninkai from November 15 to December 1. (kariuomene.lt)
Why it matters
The drills mean heavier military traffic on routes between Kalvarija, Klaipėda and Rūdninkai, which will affect road users and local authorities managing escorted convoys and traffic limits. They also show the German brigade in Lithuania moving from planning into regular operational training and use of local infrastructure. (kariuomene.lt)
Who benefits
The Lithuanian and German armed forces gain live interoperability training, while residents and hauliers in the Klaipėda, Kalvarija and Rūdninkai areas carry the burden of convoy traffic and restrictions. (kariuomene.lt)
What's next
The Defence Ministry and the Lithuanian military will monitor convoy movement on November 6-7 and November 10-12, with the next fixed date being the end of the exercises on December 3. (kariuomene.lt)
Politics
Emergency situation in Kazlų Rūda is being lifted
Kazlų Rūda lifted its local emergency situation on November 6, 2026, after repairs at the Jūrė pond dam brought the water level back to normal. The municipality had declared the emergency in July over the dam’s unsafe condition and the risk to people, property and the environment. Officials said the works were delayed by permit issues, but by late October the structure had stabilised and excess water was draining safely. The dam’s poor condition had first been identified in 2018. (lrt.lt)
Why it matters
For Jūrė residents, the emergency lift removes the need for extraordinary local measures around a dam that had posed a direct safety risk. It also lets the municipality continue oversight through normal administrative procedures rather than an emergency regime. (lrt.lt)
Politics
Tension grows near Kaliningrad border: is Lithuania in real danger?
Lithuania's defence minister said on Friday that the situation on the Kaliningrad border is calmer than in Poland, where authorities have warned of possible provocations. He said Lithuanian troops have been helping border guards since Oct. 8 and that the deployment has been extended until mid-November. Another extension is likely, but it will depend on the latest intelligence. Lithuanian and Polish intelligence chiefs were also exchanging information on Friday, while the interior ministry said the Lithuanian side remained calm.
Why it matters
Border guards and soldiers get a stronger security buffer, which matters if intelligence points to sabotage or other incursions. For people living in Panemunė and Pagėgiai, the immediate effect is tighter patrols without a wider shutdown of normal cross-border movement.
sources:tv3.lt
Technology
Lithuanians create drones capable of protecting our skies; Ukrainians already use them
A Lithuanian-made counter-drone system, Sky Viper Wall, was shown in Vilnius today, and in tests with the Lithuanian armed forces its interceptor drones knocked down two target drones autonomously. The package combines a 360-degree sensing suite with fast electric fixed-wing interceptors called Defender. The military also trialled a 600-gram explosive payload for the first time during the demonstration. Several Defender drones have already been sent to Ukraine, where they will be used with local radar systems.
Why it matters
Ukraine gains another tool against small, fast aerial targets, where detection and interception remain one of the costliest parts of air defence. For Lithuania, the system offers a locally built option that could be adapted quickly to protect borders and critical infrastructure.
sources:delfi.lt
Economy
Savings deposits are rising: when to keep money in them
Lithuanian households are parking more cash in bank deposits and current accounts, according to a report published on Nov. 6. Bank of Lithuania data show deposits held by residents reached 30.7 billion euros in September, up from 26.6 billion euros a year earlier. The article links the surge partly to the second pension pillar reform, which has already prompted more than half of participants to exit and released about 3 billion euros. The central bank says the right deposit type depends on when the money will be needed, and advises splitting larger sums across several deposits.
Why it matters
For households, the shift means more money is sitting in liquid savings rather than locked in long-term retirement products. For banks, it expands the deposit base and raises the stakes in pricing savings accounts and term deposits.
sources:vz.lt
Politics
Expensive fuels anger drivers, and the government is considering new taxes: It is not our fault
Lithuanian drivers are already paying more at the pump, and fuel retailers say wholesale diesel jumped 15 cents per litre overnight. Business groups warn that higher taxes could add almost another 10 cents per litre next year, at a time when more than one million diesel passenger cars are on the road. The tax debate comes as the government looks for extra revenue for the budget and defence. Transport-heavy businesses say the higher fuel bill is feeding straight into logistics costs.
Why it matters
Higher fuel costs hit passenger transport and logistics firms first, and those companies tend to pass the bill on through deliveries and prices. Drivers, hauliers and retailers end up paying more, even on short routes where fuel is a major share of costs.
sources:tv3.lt
Europe
Summary
Kyiv remained under emergency power restrictions on Friday, and Volodymyr Zelensky said the capital was facing the worst conditions in Ukraine. The outages in Kyiv also disrupted water supplies because the city’s pumping system depends on electricity and damage to generation and transmission infrastructure has not been repaired. Ukraine’s energy ministry said emergency outages were in force in seven regions after recent Russian strikes, extending the fallout from the Nov. 4 attack that caused Kyiv’s worst water disruption of the full-scale war.
A Russian morning strike in Rivne region killed one person and damaged a house and a truck in the Sarny district. It was the second strike on the western region in two days. Ukraine’s military intelligence also said its seven-week Operation Chiburechnya in Sumy region recaptured 642 hectares from Russian forces, killing 107 Russian soldiers, wounding 157 and capturing 29. It said Ukrainian forces destroyed 61 drone launch and control sites and 31 artillery systems before handing the recovered positions to other army units.
In a call with Nordic and Baltic leaders, Lithuanian President Gitanas Nauseda urged more military, political and economic support for Ukraine. He also pushed for faster agreement on fresh sanctions against Russia as EU capitals weigh the next sanctions step and funding for Kyiv. Elsewhere in Lithuania’s economy, Eurostat said home prices rose 12.8% year on year in the second quarter, one of the fastest increases in the EU, while APVA is still accepting applications this week for a 5,000-euro grant for a new battery electric car and 2,500 euros for a used one up to four years old. The scheme still has 3 million euros from the EU Modernisation Fund, but residents of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipeda, Siauliai, Panevezys and Alytus are excluded.
A small plane crashed onto a highway in Germany, killing two people. Volodymyr Zelenskiy warned of new Russian strikes on Ukraine's energy infrastructure, while the Financial Times reported that Moscow is targeting bridges, ports and power plants in a bid to break Ukraine.
sources: tv3.lt, vz.lt, delfi.lt, 15min.lt, lrt.lt, lrytas.lt
Worth knowing
Term
NB8
NB8 is the informal grouping of the five Nordic and three Baltic states: Denmark, Estonia, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania, Norway, Finland and Sweden. It is used to coordinate positions on security, foreign policy and regional issues.
Top stories
Politics
A person was killed in a Russian attack on Rivne
A morning Russian strike in Rivne region killed one person on November 6, regional governor Oleksandr Koval said. The attack damaged a house and a truck in the Sarny district. It came two days after another Russian strike in the same region injured a woman and damaged infrastructure and a house. West Ukraine remains within range of repeated Russian air attacks even far from the front line. (en.interfax.com.ua)
Why it matters
For residents of Rivne region, the strike adds risk to homes, trucks and daily movement in the Sarny district. For western Ukraine’s civilian infrastructure, repeated hits mean more repairs, more disruption and more time spent checking for further damage. (en.interfax.com.ua)
Who benefits
The Russian military gains pressure on Ukraine’s rear areas, while civilians in Rivne region, local authorities and transport firms bear the losses. (en.interfax.com.ua)
What's next
The Rivne regional administration must finish its damage assessment and decide whether Sarny district needs additional support. (en.interfax.com.ua)
sources:delfi.lt
Politics
War in Ukraine. The two-stage operation Chiburechnya completed: hundreds of hectares reclaimed and Russians taken prisoner
Ukraine's military intelligence said its seven-week operation Chiburechnya in Sumy region reclaimed 642 hectares from Russian forces. It said 107 Russian soldiers were killed, 157 wounded and 29 captured. The operation also destroyed 61 drone launch sites and control centres, plus 31 artillery systems. The recovered positions have now been handed over to other Ukrainian army units.
Why it matters
For civilians in Sumy region and the Ukrainian units stationed there, the gain means a shorter reach for Russian drones and artillery. Pushing Russian positions back also eases pressure on roads, supply lines and evacuation routes.
sources:tv3.lt
Energy
Kyiv residents without electricity and water: Zelensky says Kyiv situation is the worst
On November 6, Kyiv remained under emergency power restrictions, and President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said the capital was enduring the worst conditions in Ukraine as power cuts also hit water supply. Ukraine’s energy ministry said seven regions were under emergency outages after recent Russian strikes damaged the grid, with Kyiv still the hardest hit. The city’s water system is struggling because pumping depends on electricity, and the damage has not been fully repaired. The latest disruption follows the large-scale attack on November 4 that triggered Kyiv’s worst water outage of the full-scale war. (kyivindependent.com)
Why it matters
Kyiv households and businesses are taking the hit first, because unstable power also knocks out water pumping, public services and parts of industry. With winter approaching, residents are being pushed toward stockpiling water and using emergency warming points. (apnews.com)
sources:tv3.lt
Politics
In talks with NB8 leaders, the president urged increased Ukraine support and sanctions talks
President Gitanas Nausėda used a call with Nordic and Baltic leaders to press for more military, political and economic aid for Ukraine and for quicker work on fresh sanctions against Russia. The message comes as European capitals are still weighing the next sanctions step and as Kyiv says it needs more external support heading into next year. Nausėda has been pushing the same line in recent regional and EU contacts, including talks in Berlin earlier this week. The aim is to keep pressure on Moscow while locking in funding and weapons for Ukraine before year-end.
Why it matters
The outcome will shape whether Ukraine gets a predictable flow of weapons and money, which directly affects its ability to hold the line and plan 2027 defence needs. Fresh sanctions could tighten pressure on Russia’s energy and financial sectors, while also adding friction to European trade and commodities markets.
sources:15min.lt
Economy
If you still haven't bought a home you will regret it? Prices rising the fastest in Europe and it won't be cheaper
Lithuanian home prices rose 12.8% in the second quarter of 2026 from a year earlier, according to Eurostat, putting the country among the EU’s fastest-growing markets. Only Bulgaria and Portugal posted stronger annual gains in that release. Delfi has warned in recent coverage that housing affordability across Europe is now politically sensitive and could trigger protests. The backdrop is a market where prices are still outrunning wages, even as the economy keeps expanding. (ec.europa.eu)
Why it matters
First-time buyers and renters in the big cities face the sharpest squeeze, because faster price growth pushes up both deposits and monthly payments. Builders, developers and existing owners gain, while households whose incomes lag behind prices lose ground. (ec.europa.eu)
sources:tv3.lt
Economy
Discounts due to authorized representatives in each EU country: criteria diverged
Lithuania’s APVA agency is still taking applications for a 5,000-euro grant on a new battery electric car and 2,500 euros for a used one up to four years old. The buyer must have been the registered keeper since no earlier than May 1, 2026, while public bodies follow a separate 5,000-euro and 2,500-euro scheme. The programme is financed from the EU Modernisation Fund, and APVA said last week that 3 million euros remained in the pot. Residents of Vilnius, Kaunas, Klaipėda, Šiauliai, Panevėžys and Alytus still cannot use the subsidy.
Why it matters
The grants directly change the purchase price of new and used EVs for households and companies, but not every buyer can claim them. For residents of the six biggest cities, and for some businesses, the decision depends as much on registration rules and timing as on the sticker price.
sources:vz.lt
World
Summary
Donald Trump said yesterday he would soon decide whether to widen the war in Iran and said the US may have to “destroy what remains” of the country. After his meeting with the national security team, regional capitals coordinated over the risk of new strikes, while the White House kept the option of talks with Tehran open. Trump also said the US still has “one or two targets” left in Iran.
Wall Street’s tech sell-off wiped about $2.5 trillion from market value on Thursday. The Nasdaq 100 fell 6.4%, while the S&P 500 dropped 4.4% in its worst session since April 2025. The shock spread into Asian trading on Friday as investors reacted to fears that Democratic gains in the US elections could bring tighter scrutiny of AI expansion. Democrats also won control of both chambers of Congress on November 4, opening the way for hearings, budget leverage and renewed pressure for fresh Ukraine aid after no major package passed since January 2025.
In Moscow, Vladimir Putin met Iran’s Supreme National Security Council secretary Mohsen Rezaei yesterday. They discussed closer ties, including a pipeline to carry Russian gas to Iran, which Tehran says would ease domestic shortages and open a route to nearby markets. Yuri Ushakov and military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov were also in the meeting. In Hong Kong, the High Court on Thursday sentenced Joshua Wong to another 10 years in prison under Beijing’s national security law, with the new term beginning after his current sentence ends in January 2027.
In the US, media scrutiny of Trump’s health intensified over the past few days after comments about his tone, body language and apparent lapses in attention. The White House says the 80-year-old president has undergone medical checks this year and been cleared to serve.
A sailor was killed in an attack on a tanker in the Persian Gulf. The Financial Times also reported that the scale of Xi Jinping's repression in China now rivals the Mao era.
sources: delfi.lt, tv3.lt, 15min.lt, vz.lt, lrytas.lt, lrt.lt
Worth knowing
Term
Nasdaq 100
The Nasdaq 100 is a stock index of 100 of the largest non-financial companies listed on the Nasdaq exchange. It is widely used as a gauge of big technology and growth stocks.
Top stories
Politics
War in Iran. Trump: I may have to destroy the remaining part of Iran
On November 5, Donald Trump said he would soon decide whether to widen the war in Iran and suggested the U.S. may have to destroy what remains of the country. (axios.com) The comments came after he met his national security team, with Axios and AP saying the region is bracing for another round of strikes or a last-minute diplomatic off-ramp. (axios.com) Trump has also said the U.S. still has one or two targets left in Iran, even as he keeps the option of talks open. (lrt.lt)
Why it matters
Middle East states, oil markets and U.S. forces in the region are waiting to see whether Washington expands the war, because any new strike package could raise escalation risk and add pressure to energy prices. (apnews.com)
Who benefits
Tough-line hawks and oil exporters gain from more pressure, while Iranian civilians, regional airlines and Gulf business face the downside. (apnews.com)
What's next
The next pivot is Trump’s decision after his November 5 meeting with the national security team, since he said the answer would come “soon.” (axios.com)
sources:delfi.lt
Economy
Wall Street tech stock sell-off: $2.5 trillion wiped from markets
Wall Street's tech-heavy Nasdaq 100 dropped 6.4% on November 5, wiping out about $2.5 trillion in market value in a single session. The sell-off was led by AI-linked data-center and chip names, with the S&P 500 also sliding 4.4% in its worst day since April 2025. Traders were rattled by fears that Democrats' election gains could bring tougher scrutiny of the AI buildout and slow spending plans. The shock spilled into Asia on November 6, where equities opened weaker after the U.S. rout. (marketscreener.com)
Why it matters
The immediate losers are tech funds, retirement accounts and investors who leaned hard into AI names. Higher volatility and tighter financing conditions can delay data-center projects, chip orders and expansion plans. (marketscreener.com)
sources:delfi.lt
Politics
Donald Trump’s behavior raises concern: a doctor sees alarming signs.
Over the past few days, U.S. media have again fixated on Donald Trump’s public behaviour, after one psychologist flagged what he called worrying signs in recent appearances. The scrutiny centres on the 80-year-old president’s tone, body language and moments of apparent confusion. The White House has continued to say Trump has undergone medical checks this year and been cleared to serve. That has turned his health into a political issue as much as a medical one, with voters and rivals watching for any sign of decline.
Why it matters
It matters to Republican strategists and voters because any perception that Trump’s cognitive sharpness is slipping could reshape views of his ability to serve another term. It also matters to the White House, which now has to defend every new episode under a brighter spotlight on the president’s health.
sources:tv3.lt
Politics
In China a court verdict sentences activist to prison
On November 5, 2026, Hong Kong’s High Court sentenced Joshua Wong to another 10 years in prison under Beijing’s national security law. Prosecutors said Wong and others sought foreign sanctions and hostile actions against Hong Kong and China between July 1 and November 23, 2020. Wong pleaded guilty. Judge William Tam said the sentence would keep Wong behind bars after his current term ends in January 2027.
Why it matters
For Hong Kong’s pro-democracy camp, the ruling keeps its most recognisable figure behind bars well into the 2030s. For foreign governments and investors, it is another sign that Beijing and Hong Kong are prepared to use the national security law aggressively against political dissent.
sources:tv3.lt
Politics
Putin in Moscow hosted Iran's security chief
Vladimir Putin met Mohsen Rezaei in Moscow on Nov. 5 and discussed closer bilateral ties, including a pipeline that would carry Russian gas to Iran. Tehran says the project could ease Iran's chronic gas shortages and open a route for Russian gas sales to neighboring markets. The meeting also touched on regional security and foreign interference in the Middle East. The Kremlin did not give many details, but images showed Yuri Ushakov and military intelligence chief Igor Kostyukov in the room.
Why it matters
Iran gets a potential fix for winter gas shortages, while Russia gains another channel to move energy exports under sanctions. For the US and Europe, the meeting shows Moscow and Tehran tightening both energy and security ties at the same time.
sources:delfi.lt
Politics
After Republican setback, Trump left without leverage warns what will follow
On Nov. 4, Democrats won control of both chambers of Congress in a midterm rout, and Trump publicly accepted the result for the first time after the vote. (investing.com) Reuters says the shift could reopen the door to fresh aid for Ukraine, after no major package passed since January 2025. (investing.com) Democrats are now looking at hearings, investigations and funding leverage to box Trump in, although analysts say his foreign-policy powers still remain broad. (marketscreener.com)
Why it matters
Ukraine’s military and air defences could see faster deliveries of Patriot interceptors and a larger flow of US support after months of congressional paralysis. (apnews.com) In Washington, Trump will face tougher confirmation fights and more room for congressional pushback on both domestic and foreign policy. (investing.com)
sources:lrytas.lt