Lithuania has joined Poland's appeal against the European Commission's decision to give Russia's Gazprom more capacity on a branch of the Nord Stream gas pipeline in Germany, with the government saying that Brussels' move may increase Europe's dependence on Russian gas and harm Ukraine.

The European Commission and most EU countries failed to prevent car manufacturers from cheating emissions test, according to the final report by Parliament's inquiry committee investigating the car emissions scandal. It was set up in December 2015, a few months after Volkswagen admitted to falsifying test results in their diesel cars. In the report adopted on 4 April, MEPs propose a set of measures to prevent dishonest practices by car manufacturers in the future.

Heating prices in Vilnius should grow by 8.2% from June, the National Commission for Energy Control and Prices decided on Thursday. However, after the ruling coalition decided to cancel the value-added tax privilege (9%), the heating prices in Lithuania's capital city should climb much higher.

Ater several months of postponements, the Council of Vilnius has given its final approval for the acquisition of 150 new buses, which are estimated to cost the city over 40 mln euros.

Lithuania's State Tax Inspectorate has launched a thorough scrutiny of companies and shareholders of Vilniaus Prekyba (Vilnius Trade) group and MG Baltic concern. The decision was taken in light of a proposal from the inspectorate's task force, which had analyzed earlier checks of the operations of both groups, to apply the strictest form of control – integrated tax inspections.

The fact that diesel cars’ nitrogen oxide (NOx) emissions are much higher in real driving conditions than in laboratory tests was known to the EU member states and Commission over a decade ago. They should now act swiftly to improve tests and checks on new cars on EU roads, say MEPs in recommendations voted on Tuesday. In a separate vote, MEPs also amended EU “type approval” rules to make environmental and safety testing more independent, with stricter oversight of cars already on the road.

James Mulvey, a suspected British drugs trafficker who was detained in an international operation in Kaunas last Tuesday, owned real property and several companies in Lithuania, the Financial Crime Investigation Service (FNTT).

Palm oil is extensively used in food, cosmetics and biofuels, however the unsustainable production of the cheap vegetable oil leads to deforestation, loss of nature habitats and greenhouse gas emissions. MEPS vote on 4 April on a report by Czech GUE member Kateřina Konečná calling on the European Commission to take measures to ensure among others the phasing out of palm oil in biofuels by 2020 and a single certification scheme for palm oil entering the EU market.

Germany's Foreign Ministry on Thursday confirmed discovery of the Feb. 16 1918 resolution of the Council of Lithuania on reestablishment of statehood, congratulating Lithuanians on the find.

Polish airlines “LOT” celebrate their 25th anniversary of operations in Lithuania rejoicing over the popularity of fast and convenient flights to Warsaw and destinations from two Lithuanian airports - Vilnius and Palanga. Having started operating flights from Vilnius a quarter of century ago, “LOT” was one of the first airlines having stepped into the aviation market of Lithuania, which had recently restored its independence.