Lithuania

Lithuania advises people to dump Chinese smartphones on privacy grounds

The Lithuanian defence ministry claims Chinese smartphones are compromised with built-in censorship elements which can allow the manufacturers to periodically store and send personal data.

How Russia is militarising Belarus

Experts believe Russia is coercing and intimidating its neighbors through military means, escalating tension in eastern Europe.

Belarus deliberately pushes migrants to Lithuania: EU claims

EU countries have accused Belarus of deliberately pushing migrants across its borders, especially from Lithuania, in retaliation for sanctions imposed in June.

Red Cross warns Lithuania refugee pushback contravenes international law

Lithuania has ordered its border guards to turn away, by force if needed, migrants attempting to enter as it blames the recent surge, of mostly Iraqis, on neighbouring Belarus.

Belarus opposition says detained journalist confessed on TV under duress

State TV broadcast an interview of journalist Roman Protasevich in which he said he called for anti-Lukashenko protests last year, a confession the opposition, UK and Germany say was "clearly under duress".

EU calls RyanAir diversion by Belarus act of 'state piracy'

Meanwhile, Air France cancelled more flights to Moscow after Russian authorities failed to approve flight plans that avoid Belarus airspace.

Lithuania, UK, Ukraine restrict flights from crossing Belarus airspace

The restrictions come a day after Belarus forced a Vilnius-bound plane to land in Minsk and arrested a journalist on board, drawing strong international criticism.

Denmark, Norway, Iceland halt AstraZeneca jab despite EU safety assurance

Six other European countries suspended use of specific AstraZeneca batches despite UK and EU drug regulators insisting reports of blood clotting in patients are unrelated to the vaccine and are within normal rates.

AstraZeneca Covid-19 vaccine supplies to EU will be lower than expected

EU's Health Commissioner said the British pharmaceutical firm's announcement led to "deep dissatisfaction" from EU member states, which "insisted on a precise delivery schedule."

Lithuanian opposition claims victory in general election

Lithuanians voted in a parliamentary runoff as the country faced a growing health crisis and high unemployment due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Baltic states slap sanctions on Belarus over alleged election rigging

Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania place travel sanctions on 30 top officials in Belarus, including President Alexander Lukashenko.

Belarus activists flee to Lithuania for refuge

Lithuania has eased coronavirus restrictions to provide Belarus activists protesting against President Lukashenko's sixth re-election a place of refuge in light of violent crackdown on mass demonstrations.