Statistics Lithuania informs that, based on non-final data obtained from customs declarations, Intrastat reporting and VAT returns data, exports in September 2016 amounted to EUR 2 bln, imports – EUR 2.1 bln. Exports of goods of Lithuanian origin amounted to EUR 1.2 bln. The foreign trade deficit of Lithuania amounted to EUR 86.8 mln.

A four-star hotel Courtyard by Marriot should be built in the territory of the former Zalgiris Stadium in central Vilnius in mid-2018. On Wednesday, real estate development company Hanner signed a franchise contract with Marriot International, the world's largest hotel group.

Life in a refugee camp can be hard, especially if you are a woman or a child. A delegation from the women's rights committee visited camps and centres for refugees around Athens on 3-4 November to assess their situation. Following the mission we spoke to the head of the delegation Constance Le Grip, a French member of the EPP group. She called on EU countries to live up to their commitment to take in more refugees, especially women and children.

Additional allied forces in the Baltic Sea region and society, which is resistance trained and able to ward off hybrid threats, are key to a secure future,” said the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania Linas Linkevičius.

Destinations around the world welcomed 956 million international tourists between January and September 2016, according to the latest UNWTO World Tourism Barometer. This is 34 million more than in the same period of 2015, a 4% increase.

Some 130,100 unemployed individuals were reported in Lithuania on Nov. 1 which makes 7.2% of the working-age population. The figure was unchanged from early October.

The Economics Ministry has drawn up a draft decree to grant Lithuanian company Geobaltic permission to prospect for oil in Laza county, Aizpute region, and Gudenieki county in Kuldiga region.

The latest report from tech watchdogs Rotten WiFi reveals the Top 20 airports worldwide for best WiFi access in 2016. Data clearly shows that situation is gradually changing with airports improving their digital access and enabling customers to get online. WiFi speed and quality have been tested in 226 airports worldwide.

Maintenance work on the historical Gediminas Castle Hill in the center of Vilnius will be performed next spring, a consultant hired by the National Museum said on Wednesday, adding that it takes time to properly prepare for the work and that it could not be done in the current poor weather conditions.

FinTech company Moneta International, which provides payment services predominantly for the e-commerce sector through an online platform, has set up its global headquarters in Vilnius, the capital of Lithuania, and is now gearing up for substantial expansion in the near future.