LTOwnership & classification
Founded: 2005
Ownership
15min began on 1 September 2005 as a free daily newspaper in Vilnius, Kaunas and Klaipeda and grew into one of Lithuania's leading news portals (15min.lt). For years it sat in the Estonian Postimees Grupp (controlled by Margus Linnamae via MM Grupp), with the Lithuanian company UAB '4 Bees' as a minority partner. In December 2023 4 Bees bought out Postimees Grupp's stake, taking 100% of JSC '15min' (and its BNS news-agency subsidiary); 4 Bees is owned by Tomas Balzekas (majority), Martynas Basokas, Gabriele Burbiene and Tomas Bindokas.
Funding
It is a commercial outlet funded by advertising, digital subscriptions and content/news-agency services (it operates the BNS wire); it has no state or party financing.
Affiliation & stance
15min is a mainstream, broadly centrist Lithuanian news brand with no party or government ownership; since the 2023 buyout it is fully held by Lithuanian private investors through 4 Bees. As privately, commercially owned media free of party or state control, it is INDEPENDENT (CENTER lean, matching the site's guess).
Editorial lean
- Our estimate
- Center
- Measured from coverage
- Centerbased on 318
78/100
Factual
71/100
Objective
625
Articles
625
reports
Top stories
Most covered right now
Terms of Trade: The Four Horsemen of an imminent international winter
The Ukrainians maintain a significant lead over the Russians in drone strikes.
Russia suspends rail border crossings with Finland, Estonia and Latvia
Stormy weather sweeps across Lithuania, with rain washing away vegetation and harvests plummeting
US Navy flagship visits Lithuania in show of alliance commitment
Vos praūžus audroms – naujas smūgis: sinoptikė įspėjo, kad bus antra banga
Putin called an emergency meeting on the situation in the Kaliningrad region
After the explosion in Monaco Eyebrows: the Ukrainian billionaire's wife was not seriously injured, but his mistress
Pirmoji pagalba perkaitus: ką turite daryti pirmiausia
Recent coverage
Ukraine reports two dead after night attacks by Russia, with the death toll in Kiev rising to 30.
At least two people were killed and eight injured in Russian air strikes on the Sumy region and Kryvyj Rih in Ukraine during the night of Thursday to Friday, according to Ukrainian authorities. This follows a large-scale Russian attack on Kyiv earlier in the week which killed at least 30 people and injured around 100 others. In response to the attacks, Ukraine conducted missile strikes on Belgorod in Russia, causing a fire at an energy facility and killing one woman, according to Russian media. The overnight strike on the city of Romny in the Sumy region hit a residential building, killing two women and injuring a man, reported regional administrator Oleh Hryhorov via Telegram. Another seven people were injured in a missile strike on Kryvyj Rih, according to military city administrator Oleksandr Vilkul. In Kyiv, teams discovered three more dead bodies during the night, bringing the total number of victims to 30, according to Reuters citing Ukrainian health authorities. Kyiv's military administrator Tymur Tkačenko stated that the attack injured 99 people. Moscow claimed the extensive attack was a response to Ukrainian strikes on Russian energy infrastructure, including those carried
In the tropical Pacific, El Niño conditions have set in, researchers say.
The article reports that researchers from New Zealand’s Earth Sciences organization (ESNZ) have identified conditions consistent with the El Niño climate phenomenon in the tropical Pacific. They warn that impacts on New Zealand’s weather are likely to intensify over the coming months. The ESNZ joined other organizations in Australia, Japan, and the U.S. in confirming the development of El Niño, which is expected to reach strong intensity between July and September. The effects are projected to peak during the Southern Hemisphere summer, spanning late 2023 into early 2024. According to lead researcher Chris Brandolini, this El Niño event is at least comparable in strength to five of the strongest recorded El Niños in modern history. The article outlines regional rainfall expectations, noting potential below-average precipitation in some areas and above-normal levels in others. It also mentions possible temperature fluctuations and increased wind variability later in the year. Additionally, it notes two lower-probability risks: sudden stratospheric warming and the occurrence of a tropical cyclone outside the typical season, both historically linked to El Niño. Brandolini connects the
LRT English Newsletter: Colourful new ministers inbound?
Lithuania's incoming Prime Minister Mindaugas Sinkevičius has selected Martynas Katelynas as the head of the Interior Ministry, a decision that has drawn attention due to Katelynas' past associations with the far-right National Alliance and controversial remarks about migration and law enforcement. President Gitanas Nausėda endorsed Katelynas, citing alignment on migration policies. In addition, there are ongoing discussions about improving diplomatic ties with China, potentially involving changes to the name of the Taiwanese office in Vilnius. A new center-right political party, Piliečių Lietuva, led by Ignas Vėgėlė, is emerging as a potential challenger to existing conservative parties. Reports indicate that two soldiers and five civilians were charged with accepting bribes related to military conscription exemptions. Additionally, the LRT Investigation Team uncovered that Sinkevičius, while serving as a mayor, purchased state land and resold it at a significant profit, though no formal charges have been filed against him. Finally, all major Lithuanian political parties support revising the constitution to allow for the deployment of nuclear weapons on Lithuanian soil, influenced
Putin recognizes the oil map for the first time
Russian President Vladimir Putin acknowledged for the first time that Russia is building 'some oil reserves' during a meeting focused on energy issues. He emphasized the need to strengthen domestic oil production and increase output. Meanwhile, Ukrainian forces continued their attacks on Russian energy infrastructure, detonating an oil purification plant in the southern Krasnodar region, which produces around four million tons of crude oil annually. The Krasnodar region is one of Russia's largest oil-producing areas located near the Black Sea. On Tuesday, Ukrainian forces launched large-scale air strikes on Sevastopol, the largest city on Crimea, including attacks on oil facilities. In response, Russia, which annexed Crimea in 2014, has restricted fuel sales to the public to counteract the energy shortages. According to reports, these attacks have had no impact on the front line. During an interview with a Russian state television station, Putin described the Ukrainian attacks on Russian oil infrastructure as an attempt to destabilize Russian society. He stated that Ukraine's goal was to halt the deployment of Russian military units to improve their position in arms control talks.
Dalia Grybauskaitė surprised by showing new footage swimming in a sea of compliments
The article reports that Lithuanian President Dalia Grybaitė surprised people by showcasing a new look at a seaside location, which led to positive comments from the public. The piece highlights her appearance and the reaction it received, suggesting a shift in her public image or personal style.
Ukrainian woman wanted by Interpol after Monaco attack
A violent attack occurred in Monaco, and authorities are searching for a Ukrainian woman suspected of involvement. The incident has drawn attention from international law enforcement agencies, including Interpol, which is assisting in the investigation. The attack was described as shocking, prompting increased security measures and a widespread search effort. Local police have confirmed the suspect is a Ukrainian national, though details about her background or motives remain unclear. The situation has raised concerns among residents and visitors in the region.
A cardiologist warns all heart patients that the greatest danger in summer is not the heat
A cardiologist warns all heart patients that the greatest danger during summer is not heat but other factors. The article highlights concerns about cardiovascular health during warmer months, suggesting that while heat is often associated with heart risks, there may be more significant threats that require attention. The piece emphasizes the importance of monitoring heart health and taking preventive measures beyond just avoiding high temperatures.
The parliamentary office blocked an attempt to affect the security of some employees' passwords
The Seimas Office has blocked an attempt to influence the security of passwords for some employees. This action was taken in response to concerns over potential vulnerabilities in the password protection system used by staff members. The incident highlights issues related to cybersecurity within governmental institutions and raises questions about data protection practices. The Seimas Office emphasized the importance of maintaining secure access controls to prevent unauthorized access to sensitive information. This event underscores the ongoing challenges faced by organizations in safeguarding digital assets against potential threats.
The Telegraph: The US has warned Warsaw Russia is preparing an attack on Poland
An article published by 15min.lt reports that The Telegraph warned Warsaw about Russia preparing an attack against Poland. The piece highlights U.S. intelligence assessments suggesting Russian military activities near Polish borders, potentially indicating preparations for aggression. The article frames the situation as a serious security threat, emphasizing concerns over Russian intentions toward NATO members. It does not provide direct quotes or detailed evidence from official sources, relying instead on international media reports. The focus is on the geopolitical tensions between Russia and Poland, with implications for regional stability.
Two years after the death of a child in Kaunas, the authorities have spoken about the initial circumstances
The article reports that after two years following the death of a child in Kaunas, local institutions have finally spoken about the initial circumstances surrounding the incident. The focus appears to be on the delayed response from authorities and the lack of transparency regarding the events leading up to the child's death. The piece highlights concerns about institutional accountability and the need for clearer communication from public bodies. It does not provide specific details about the case or any official statements, but suggests there was a significant delay in addressing the matter.
Arne Schwilpowask has some sad news.
The article titled 'Arnas Švilpauskas pranešė liūdną naujieną' by Arnas Švilpauskas was published on Delfi Lithuania. The headline translates to 'Arnas Švilpauskas reported sad news' and suggests the content includes negative or distressing information. However, the article itself does not provide specific details about the nature of the news or its implications. As there are no additional links provided for further reference, the exact context and depth of the report remain unclear.
Famous swim coach and former national champion has died
A well-known swimming coach and former national champion has passed away. The individual was recognized for their contributions to swimming in Lithuania and had previously competed at a high level. Their death has been noted by local media, highlighting their impact on the sport. No further details about the cause of death or specific achievements were provided in the available text.
Polish rabbit: I'd rather have it chopped up than handed over to Ukraine
A Polish bank, Akibrokštas, has decided to liquidate its assets in parts rather than transferring them to Ukraine. This decision comes amid ongoing discussions and potential legal actions regarding the ownership and management of financial assets during times of geopolitical tension.
Overlooked
Under-reported & one-sided