Lithuania will keep its border crossings with Belarus closed for a month after balloons carrying cigarettes repeatedly disrupted air traffic at Vilnius Airport. Some exemptions will apply.
The Šalčininkai crossing will remain fully closed, while Medininkai, near Vilnius, will operate with restricted passage. Lithuanian and EU citizens, as well as Russians holding transit documents to Kaliningrad, will still be allowed through.
Officials view the balloon incidents as a deliberate act by Russia-allied Belarus. Interior Minister Vladislav Kondratovic said the measures are meant to send “a clear message to our not-so-friendly neighbour, which is making no effort to address the problem.”
Belarus President Alexander Lukashenko criticised the move, calling it a “mad scam” and part of a “hybrid war.” He suggested Lithuania should tackle smuggling on its side and said Belarus would apologise if found responsible.
The incidents come amid heightened European concern after a surge in drone intrusions into NATO airspace last month. In Belgium, Defence Minister Theo Francken said multiple drones were spotted above a military base in Marche-en-Famenne overnight Tuesday into Wednesday, prompting an investigation.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. ...
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Abdolnasser Hemmati, is visiting Russia to strengthen bilateral monetary and banking relations as Tehr...
Britain has announced an additional £8 million ($11 million) to help Pakistan combat illegal migration, human trafficking and organised crime, while ...
The Netherlands has announced a new €500 million military support package for Ukraine, focused on drones and air defence systems, as Western allies ...
China has condemned new UK sanctions against two Chinese companies accused of supplying materials used by Russia's military, calling the measures ille...
The Governor of the Central Bank of Iran (CBI), Abdolnasser Hemmati, is visiting Russia to strengthen bilateral monetary and banking relations as Tehran and Moscow seek closer financial cooperation amid Western sanctions.
Britain has announced an additional £8 million ($11 million) to help Pakistan combat illegal migration, human trafficking and organised crime, while praising Islamabad's role in diplomacy that helped secure the recent U.S.-Iran agreement.
The Netherlands has announced a new €500 million military support package for Ukraine, focused on drones and air defence systems, as Western allies intensify efforts to strengthen Kyiv's position in its war against Russia.
The UK has secured more than £1.3 billion in new international investment for battery storage, energy infrastructure and technology projects, with major commitments from companies based in France and India.
Donald Trump has said the U.S. will resume bombing Iran if Tehran doesn't "behave," at the sidelines of the G7 summit in France. Earlier, the U.S. President criticised Israel for its tactics against Hezbollah, saying it was unnecessary to bomb entire apartment buildings to tackle militants.
A strong 6.7-magnitude earthquake struck Indonesia's Sulawesi island early Tuesday, killing at least one person and injuring four, according to emergency authorities.
U.S. President Donald Trump said a preliminary agreement to end the war in the Gulf has been signed by the U.S. and Iran, though details have yet to be made public and both countries said a permanent truce is yet to be negotiated.
Australia's weather bureau warned on Tuesday that an El Niño weather pattern has formed in the tropical Pacific and could intensify in the second half of 2026, becoming one of the strongest events recorded in seven decades.
Ukraine has said it struck an oil refinery in Russia’s Moscow region, marking one of the deepest reported attacks into Russian territory in recent months.
The Netherlands has announced a new €500 million military support package for Ukraine, focused on drones and air defence systems, as Western allies intensify efforts to strengthen Kyiv's position in its war against Russia.
China has condemned new UK sanctions against two Chinese companies accused of supplying materials used by Russia's military, calling the measures illegal and warning of possible retaliation if they are not lifted.
The UK has secured more than £1.3 billion in new international investment for battery storage, energy infrastructure and technology projects, with major commitments from companies based in France and India.
U.S. President Donald Trump has warned that a preliminary agreement with Iran remains fragile, saying Washington could resume military action if Tehran fails to meet its commitments.
China has sanctioned Philippine Defence Secretary Gilberto Teodoro Jr. and his immediate family, banning them from entering mainland China, Hong Kong and Macao. Beijing says the move responds to repeated remarks by Teodoro that it claims have undermined China's sovereignty and bilateral relations.
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