Lithuania bans Soviet symbols at rallies

The Lithuanian Parliament has approved amendments banning the use of Nazi and Soviet symbols during rallies. According to the law, demonstrators are not allowed to carry banners showing the leaders of the Third Reich or the USSR.

It also outlaws anthems of the Soviet Union, Soviet red stars and even the famous hammer and sickle.

A similar bill is being considered by Estonia's Parliament.

Meanwhile, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev has signed a decree to ease visa rules for Russians living in Estonia and Latvia. Anyone who doesn't have citizenship of those two countries can now enter Russia without a visa.

The ruling, according to estimates, affects around 450,000 non-citizens.