Garsų pasaulis, a Lithuanian company, is set to produce new passports for democratic Belarus, offering an alternative to the regime's documents. The proposal was made by Mikita Zabuga, a Belarusian citizen with ties to business plans near the Astravyets nuclear power plant. The article raises questions about the security of the data involved in this initiative.

The article investigates the lucrative business of holography in Belarus, revealing its ties to Viktor Chevtsov, known as Lukashenko's 'treasurer'. The Belarusian company Golograficheskaya Industria, linked to Chevtsov, dominates the market for security holograms, benefiting from government mandates. Despite questions about the cost-effectiveness of holograms, the Belarusian government supports their widespread use. The investigation highlights the intertwining of business and political interests, with Chevtsov's connections aiding the company's market position. The article underscores the role of investigative journalism in uncovering these connections.

A private Belarusian company, Golograficheskaya Industria, holds a state‑protected monopoly over security holograms used on a vast array of consumer goods and official documents. Its rapid revenue growth is supported by the Ministry of Finance and Goznak, with procurement structures and patents linking it to key state institutions. Founder Leanid Tanin maintains strong political connections, while businessman Viktor Chevtsov, known for past involvement in international corruption scandals, holds significant influence over the company. Members of the Tanin family also maintain social ties to relatives of President Lukashenko. A second hologram company, Magia Sveta, has worked with the KGB and appears to have benefited from non-competitive procurement. Together, these entities form a politically connected duopoly controlling Belarus’s holography sector.

Belarusian fertiliser producer Grodno Azot continues supplying urea to EU markets despite sanctions by disguising exports as Uzbek through intermediary companies including Grikom, Dunger and related entities tied to Ukrainian businessmen. Documents from activists reveal contracts, transport records and false certificates used to conceal Belarusian origin. Lithuanian and Serbian authorities have intercepted shipments and launched investigations, while additional schemes involve mislabelled products routed through multiple Belarusian and Uzbek firms. Experts and activists argue that insufficient oversight enables systematic sanctions evasion and call for broader restrictions on Grodno Azot’s product lines to fully block access to European markets.

The article by Alina Yanchur discusses the sharp increase in the number of Belarusian asylum seekers in the EU following the disputed reelection of Alexander Lukashenko. It highlights the story of Yana, a protester who fled to Poland with her son after realizing she could face prison for her actions during a demonstration. The article provides statistics on the rise in asylum applications and notes the support provided by countries like Poland, Germany, and France. It also mentions the work of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and the Viasna human rights center in Belarus. The piece reflects on the fear and uncertainty faced by Belarusians who have fled, as well as their hope to return home if the political situation changes.

The article by Alina Yanchur discusses the sharp increase in the number of Belarusian asylum seekers in the EU following the disputed reelection of Alexander Lukashenko. It highlights the story of Yana, a protester who fled to Poland with her son after realizing she could face prison for her actions during a demonstration. The article provides statistics on the rise in asylum applications and notes the support provided by countries like Poland, Germany, and France. It also mentions the work of the Helsinki Foundation for Human Rights and the Viasna human rights center in Belarus. The piece reflects on the fear and uncertainty faced by Belarusians who have fled, as well as their hope to return home if the political situation changes.

Belarusians fleeing political repression under Alexander Lukashenko face significant challenges in obtaining asylum in Europe, with countries like Sweden rejecting most applications. Despite the European Parliament's call for simplified procedures and greater recognition of Belarusian exiles, many EU countries still consider Belarus a safe country, leading to standard asylum procedures. Human rights organizations and opposition leaders argue that Belarus is experiencing a humanitarian catastrophe, urging European countries to provide immediate residence and work permits to Belarusian refugees. The article highlights individual stories, such as Olga's, to illustrate the broader issue of denied asylum and the ongoing repression in Belarus.

The article investigates how Big Tech companies have come to dominate the EU's AI ethics group, despite initial resistance to the idea of AI ethics. It highlights the efforts of Oxford professor Luciano Floridi in bringing attention to AI ethics and the subsequent influence of industry on the European Commission's regulatory approach. The piece is part of a broader investigation into lobbying efforts surrounding the EU's AI regulation proposal.

Roger Derikx, a 46-year-old father, faced severe financial hardship after being asked to repay €68,000 in childcare benefits to the Dutch government without clear justification. Authorities repossessed his car and deducted 40 percent of his salary for years. The article highlights the injustices caused by the EU's AI laws, which can lead to significant personal and financial distress for individuals.

The article discusses the significant increase in illegal migration from Belarus to Lithuania, with Lithuanian officials accusing Belarus of facilitating the crossings in retaliation for EU sanctions. Belarus denies these accusations, attributing the rise to the easing of COVID-19 restrictions. The majority of migrants are from the Middle East, with a small number of Belarusians seeking asylum. Lithuanian authorities are enhancing border security, and the EU is providing support. The situation is described as a challenge to regional security, with Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko accused of using migration as a political weapon.