Jul 25, 2026, 10:00 AM UTC

Romania has downed a second drone violating its airspace near the Ukrainian border within two days, authorities in Bucharest confirmed. The airspace breach occurred as Russian forces launched overnight precision strikes targeting Ukrainian port facilities in Odesa, Izmail, and Mykolaiv.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned that intelligence points to an imminent mass missile attack expected within 48 hours. Zelensky stated that securing a ceasefire to save lives remains a better outcome than enduring a war lasting another "10 or 20 years."

Separately, member states of the International Criminal Court voted by a large majority to remove Chief Prosecutor Karim Khan following misconduct allegations.

Sources: Tanjug

Fuel prices increased across the Baltic capitals at the end of the working week, according to data collected from local filling stations. Riga recorded the highest price for 95-octane gasoline among the three cities, reaching €1.894 per liter following a 2.7% weekly increase. Diesel prices in the Latvian capital also experienced a sharp rise, climbing by 6.6% to €1.944 per liter.

Meanwhile, Vilnius reported the highest diesel prices in the Baltic region, followed by Riga, while Tallinn registered the lowest rates for diesel. Tallinn also maintained the lowest gasoline prices among the three capitals over the same period.

Sources: LSM.

Latvian music industry figures recently analyzed the growing dominance of streaming services and their impact on creators during a discussion on Latvian Radio 3. Journalist Aiga Leitholde, composer Edgars Cīrulis, and Jersika Records founder Mareks Ameriks examined how algorithmic curation and digital distribution affect artist earnings and listener access.

While digital platforms offer immediate global reach compared to traditional physical media, participants highlighted ethical challenges surrounding platform algorithms. Experts noted that automated recommendation systems heavily dictate audience discovery, potentially limiting exposure for independent musicians. The panel stressed the need to balance technological convenience with fair compensation and visibility for artists in an increasingly automated market.

Sources: LSM

A new Holocaust memorial has been unveiled near the lighthouse in Liepāja, Latvia, to honor local Jewish victims murdered during World War II. The memorial wall stands on a site previously designated for remembrance near the coast.

Historical investigations revealed that approximately 2,000 Jewish residents, predominantly men, were killed in Liepāja by the end of July 1941. The site now serves as a permanent monument for passersby heading toward the sea. During the dedication ceremony, attendees laid flowers at the base of the structure, while local residents shared personal stories of family loss.

Sources: LSM

Electric vehicle sales in Portugal have achieved multiple consecutive monthly records over the past year, driven by expanding consumer demand in the domestic market.

Data indicates that five monthly sales peaks were broken in less than twelve months. Following record figures established in November and December 2025, new high points were set in March, May, and June 2026. In June 2026 alone, registration figures reached nearly 7,600 units, setting the highest monthly volume recorded to date in the country.

The consecutive increases underscore a sustained upward trend in Portugal's transition toward electric mobility, as automakers and buyers increasingly shift away from traditional internal combustion engine vehicles.

Sources: Jornal Económico.