The impact of US National Security Agency and other surveillance programmes on EU citizens' privacy and media freedom and the lack of democratic oversight of these programmes were the key concerns voiced by MEPs and key journalists on Thursday, in the first of a series of hearings on alleged spying by the US and EU countries.

The conflict in Syria has not only posed a threat to the region's stability for the past two years, but it has also had a terrible human cost. By early September, 2 million refugees Syrians, half of them children, had to seek refuge in another country, according to the UN. By the end of the year close to 3.5 million Syrians are expected to flee their homes. The EU has been deeply concerned about the situation since the start. Read on to find out what it is doing to help.

World leaders are meeting today in Saint Petersburg for what has altered into an global confrontation with Vladimir Putin frightening to send a missile shield (S-300 long range surface-to-air missile systems) to Syria if the US launches an missile strike without the legitimacy of the United Nations.

The Lithuania-Qatar negotiations on Bilateral Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement are held on 3 and 4 September in Doha, the capital of Qatar. The conclusion of this agreement would significantly contribute to the strengthening of bilateral cooperation, especially in the field of energy, and would help to attract foreign investments to Lithuania.

On 2 September in Vilnius, the Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Neris Germanas met with the delegation of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Palestinian National Authority led by the Ambassador Amal Jadou, Assistant Minister for European Affairs. The meeting focused on the Lithuanian-Palestinian bilateral cooperation and future prospects. The officials also discussed the Middle East peace process and the latest developments in the Middle East.

United Kingdom issued licences for the export of sodium fluoride and potassium fluoride to Syria last January before revoking them several months later. These chemicals are potentially able to be used to make nerve gas like sarin as well as being having industrial uses.

Although much has already been accomplished this year, MEPs still have many important legislative files to deal with before the end of the year. The Parliament will have to decide on matters that will affect the EU and Europeans for years to come, such as the long-term budget, banking supervision, data protection and better protection for temporary workers. Read on to find out more.

The EP's foreign affairs committee has called on the Muslim Brotherhood to return to the negotiation table and give up violence. The committee held a special meeting on 28 August, during which members debated how to get the troubled country back on the track to democracy. They also insisted on better protection for Christian Copts after 40 of their churches were burnt by Islamic fundamentalists.