Defence Budget Push: Lithuania says it will keep defence spending at “at least 5% of GDP” in 2027, with Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius stressing a clear “5% club” stance and plans to use remaining 2026 allocations fast and transparently. Air Defence Upgrade: Latvia transferred Sentinel radar systems to Lithuania free of charge to boost NASAMS effectiveness, improving 360-degree detection for drones and other targets. Border Security: Lithuania’s border guards report migrant-smuggling tunnels from Belarus, alleging Belarusian authorities help or ignore the digging; officials also say tactics are shifting toward tunnels and caves. EU Enlargement Politics: An ECFR report urges a “Team Enlargement” coalition led by Germany, including Lithuania, to prepare the EU for the next expansion wave amid Ukraine-focused urgency. Tech and Finance: Revolut’s first European banking licence came from Lithuania, and the country is now home to roughly 250 fintech firms; separately, DHL signed a deal to acquire Venipak to expand Baltic parcel delivery. Global Tech Race: The US launched a 6G alliance with 20+ partners, including Lithuania, aiming for shared strategy and faster deployment as China’s influence grows. Economy and Weather: Lithuania reports summer natural disasters damaged 50,000 hectares of crops, while defence spending and telecom upgrades remain in focus.