COGNICURRENT

Lithuania's Finance Minister Kristupas Vaitiekūnas emphasized the need for concrete actions at the EU level to bolster the resilience of Eastern border regions, specifically in light of challenges posed by nearby Russia and Belarus.

The Israeli Defense Forces conducted strikes on eight Hezbollah military complexes in Baalbek, Lebanon, despite ongoing ceasefire agreements.

Lithuanian Prime Minister I. Ruginienė emphasized the importance of strengthening the eastern border of the EU during a high-level conference in Brussels.

Poland's foreign minister is set to discuss the significant financial implications of defending NATO's eastern flank against Russia in parliament.

G. Landsbergis will begin teaching a course at the prestigious Sciences Po political studies institute in Paris.

Gabriel Landsbergis has been invited to teach a course at SciencesPo for the 2025-2026 academic year.

The Prime Minister of Lithuania is set to emphasize the importance of coordinated actions for the security of Eastern European borders at a high-level conference with EU and NATO leaders in Brussels.

Poland has discovered tunnels from Belarus designed by highly skilled specialists, potentially linked to Middle Eastern groups, as part of an effort to facilitate illegal crossings for migrants.

A Constantinople cleric expresses concerns about the Moscow Patriarchate's alignment with Kremlin propaganda and asserts the independence of the Constantinople Church in serving the community.

A significant earthquake with a magnitude of 6.8 struck near Kota Kinabalu, Malaysia, at a depth of 619.8 kilometers, but is not expected to cause damage or casualties.

Arab and Islamic countries condemned statements made by US Ambassador to Israel, Mike Huckabee, regarding biblical claims to Middle Eastern territories.

Following an Israeli strike in Eastern Lebanon that killed eight Hezbollah fighters, a group official emphasized that resistance is the only option left to protect the nation.

Estonia is constructing 600 modular bunkers along its borders with Russia and Belarus as part of a broader defense initiative with Latvia and Lithuania.

Israeli military strikes in Lebanon have resulted in the deaths of 12 individuals amidst ongoing military actions against Hezbollah and Hamas.

A U.S. military strike on a vessel suspected of drug smuggling in the eastern Pacific resulted in the deaths of three individuals, amidst ongoing operations to curb international drug trafficking.

A 5.8 magnitude earthquake struck approximately 130 kilometers northeast of Kabul, as reported by the US Geological Survey.

A magnitude 5.8 earthquake occurred approximately 130 kilometers northeast of Kabul, Afghanistan, with no immediate reports of casualties or damage.

The article discusses the highlighted book by German historian Sönke Neitzel, relating to the Bundeswehr's changes after World War II and its implications for NATO's eastern flank.

Lithuanian Minister Kęstutis Budrys emphasizes the need for the EU to develop a robust economic defense strategy to protect against potential aggressors, particularly from Eastern powers like China.

The U.S. Congress has approved $200 million in security assistance for Estonia, Latvia, and Lithuania in response to increased Russian activity along NATO's eastern flank.

Estonia and Latvia are planning to acquire up to 600 concrete bunkers to strengthen their eastern borders as part of a joint defense initiative.

The European Commission has launched an initiative to enhance support for eastern EU nations, including Lithuania, emphasizing the importance of regional investment for stability and competitiveness.

The European Commission highlights the economic and social pressures faced by border regions in several Eastern EU countries, including Lithuania, due to hybrid attacks and migration challenges, calling for further support.

Heavy snowfall has severely affected transportation and power supply in central, southern, and eastern Romania, impacting over 166,000 households.

The commander of the Norwegian armed forces emphasizes Norway's significant contribution to Lithuania's security and NATO's eastern and northern flanks.

The article presents a recipe for a traditional goulash made with boneless pork shoulder, emphasizing its preparation and the rich flavors that make it a lasting dish in Central and Eastern Europe.

A Russian drone strike in Eastern Ukraine resulted in the deaths of three energy workers near the industrial city of Slovyansk.

Lithuanian President Gitanas Nausėda emphasizes the need for a portion of the future EU budget to focus on the security of Eastern Europe's borders during a meeting with European Parliament President Roberta Metsola.

The Democratic Republic of Congo has agreed to a ceasefire and position freeze in its eastern regions following mediation by Angola.

A weather forecast warns of significant precipitation and a return to cold temperatures across Lithuania, especially impacting the central and eastern regions.

Russia has intensified attacks on Ukraine's electricity and heating infrastructure, plunging entire cities into darkness during the coldest winter in four years of war.

Germany plans to purchase over 4.3 billion euros worth of drones for its 45th armored brigade stationed in Lithuania, aimed at enhancing NATO's eastern flank.

NATO chief warns of a robust response to any threat from Russia and emphasizes the importance of readiness along NATO's eastern flank.

Analysts indicate that Russia is amassing significant military forces near Ukraine's eastern and southern borders in preparation for a large-scale offensive.

Sophia Shkatula, an 18-year-old Ukrainian skier, expressed her sadness about competing against Russian and Belarusian athletes at the Olympics, as her home in eastern Ukraine was destroyed during the ongoing war.

Ukraine's military chief reported that Russia has concentrated 110,000 troops near the strategically important city of Pokrovsk in Eastern Ukraine, leading to a deteriorating situation in the area.

A mother and her eleven-year-old daughter were killed in a Russian strike on the industrial center of Sloviansk, Ukraine, with several others injured.

Lithuanian player M. Buzelis had a notable performance, blocking multiple shots and scoring 18 points in a recent basketball game.

The article discusses Poland's rapid development of a comprehensive anti-drone defense system amidst regional security concerns, and questions Lithuania's own response to such threats.

A recent Russian strike in Kramatorsk, Ukraine, has resulted in one death and significant damage to a residential building and energy infrastructure.

The Department of Ethnic Minorities announced the temporary suspension of funding for measures aimed at Eastern Lithuania due to budget cuts in 2026-2028 and prioritization of cultural sector continuity alongside national defense financing.

Weather experts warn of significantly lower temperatures across northern and eastern Europe in the coming weeks, with anomalies expected between -3 °C and -10 °C, and in some areas, potentially below -20 °C.

Meteorologists predict that lower than usual temperatures will persist for the next three to four weeks, with severe cold reaching as low as -20 °C in parts of Northern and Eastern Europe.

A severe snowstorm is affecting eastern Denmark, particularly Copenhagen, prompting authorities to advise residents to stay indoors and resulting in flight cancellations and school closures.

The weather forecast indicates a brief warm-up this weekend followed by a return of cold temperatures and light snowfall, primarily in the eastern regions.

The US Southern Command confirmed that a boat was engaged in known drug trafficking routes in the eastern Pacific and had participated in drug trafficking activities, with the operation resulting in two casualties but no injuries among US military forces.

A recent US military strike on a suspect drug smuggling boat in the Eastern Pacific resulted in the deaths of two individuals, raising the total casualties of Washington's controversial drug war campaign to at least 128.

Ukrainian President Zelensky stated that Russia would incur enormous losses, estimating that the occupation of Eastern Ukraine would cost them 800,000 soldiers' lives and take at least two years to achieve.

A Latvian player, previously representing the Atlanta Hawks, has been traded to the Golden State Warriors to team up with league icon Stephen Curry, with the Warriors sending Jonathan Kuminga and Buddy Hield to the Eastern Conference.

The Global Investigative Journalism Network has highlighted a Belarusian investigative center for its work in uncovering the trafficking of Ukrainian rapeseed during an important recognition of Eastern European journalism.