On March 4 fighter aircraft of the NATO Air Policing Detachment were alerted in response to one AN-26 flying via international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. Its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew had no pre-filed flight plan and was not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On March 4 NATO fighter jets were scrambled to intercept one Su-24MR and one Su-33 flying through international airspace from mainland Russia and back. Their onboard transponders were switched off, the crews had no pre-filed flight plans and were not keeping radio communication.

On March 5 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to identify and escort two SU-24M flying from Kaliningrad and back. Their crews kept the onboard transponders off, had no flight plans and were not maintaining radio communication.

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"Culture is what makes life worth living. I congratulate the laureates of the National Culture and Art Awards – your creativity shapes our identity, fosters sensitivity, raises vital questions, and strengthens cultural dialogue. Your works are Lithuania's voice in the world, speaking not through slogans, but through enduring value," stated the Minister of Culture, Vaida Aleknavičienė, during the solemn ceremony.

The National Jonas Basanavičius award was presented to museologists Arūnas Sniečkus and Vida Sniečkuvienė for their long-standing educational, creative, and social activities, unified and given meaning through living tradition.

The Lithuanian National Culture and Art Awards were granted to:

• Giedrė Marija Žebriūnienė (stage name Giedrė Kaukaitė), opera and chamber music performer – for her unique contribution to the creation of Lithuanian vocal music identity and the vitality of the art of interpretation.
• Marija Drėmaitė, architectural historian – for opening the horizons of modern Lithuanian architecture and the dissemination of architectural ideas.
• Gintaras Grajauskas, poet, playwright, and essayist – for a poetic cross-section of contemporary existence.
• Albinas Kėleris, theater and film actor – for acting mastery and loyalty to the art of theater.
• Ignas Miškinis, film director – for the story of human and societal maturity revealed through compelling cinematic language.
• Laisvydė Šalčiūtė, artist – for an intellectual riot of imagination embodying the female gaze.

Event photos can be found here: https://tinyurl.com/46sd84um

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On February 16 NATO fighter aircraft conducting the NATO Air Policing Mission in the Baltic states were alerted to intercept one IL-20M and one SU-30 flying through international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. Their onboard transponders were switched off, no flight plans, though the crews were maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centers.

On February 19 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled in response to SU-24M flying through international airspace from Kaliningrad and back. The aircraft were flying with their onboard transponder switched off, the crews had no flight plans and were not maintaining radio communication.

On February 20 NATO fighter jets intercepted one IL-20 flying from Kaliningrad to mainland Russia. Its onboard transponder was switched off, the crew had no flight plan but was maintaining radio communication.

On February 21 NATO Air Policing Detachment fighter jets identified and escorted two SU-24M flying from and back Kaliningrad via international airspace with their onboard transponders switched off, without the flight plans nad not maintaining radio communication with the regional traffic control centre.

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“The Holocaust is not only a tragedy of the Jewish people – it is a tragedy of Lithuania, Europe and the entire world. It was a time when humanity was trampled underfoot, when hatred became a system and human life was rendered worthless. It meant not only lives taken, but also destinies permanently shattered. Children who were never allowed to grow up. Parents who never saw their children again. Grandparents whose wisdom was silenced by violence. Families torn apart, names cut short, empty homes and a future that was lost. It is pain passed down from generation to generation, leaving scars that are still felt today.

That is why remembrance is not merely silent recollection. Remembrance is a duty. A duty to learn the lessons of history, to defend human dignity and to prevent hatred from becoming the norm.

May the memory of the victims of the Holocaust remind us that every person has a name, a face and a story. And it is our duty to do everything possible to ensure that such tragedies never happen again. May remembrance become our conscience, and conscience – our responsibility,” says Prime Minister Inga Ruginienė.

On Tuesday, the Head of Government will honour the victims of the Holocaust at the Tuskulėnai Memorial in Vilnius, during a commemoration dedicated to International Holocaust Remembrance Day.

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“The International Tourism Forum is a platform where decisions shaping the future direction of European tourism are formed. Artificial intelligence and data-driven solutions are already strengthening Lithuania’s tourism competitiveness, as demonstrated by tangible results: last year, the spending of additional tourists attracted generated €6.7 million for the national economy. This is why we are consistently strengthening partnerships with business, municipalities and international experts to achieve even greater growth in the tourism sector,” says Minister of the Economy and Innovation Edvinas Grikšas.

During the forum, which will be attended by representatives from 18 European countries, discussions will explore how technology is transforming travel planning, tourism service design and visitor experiences, as well as how countries and regions can strategically prepare for changing traveler expectations and habits.

The International Association of Events and Conferences will present an analysis on the importance of business events for national economies. The Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) will introduce next-generation tourism policy approaches, while banking sector representatives will discuss smart payments – from the digital euro to cryptocurrencies – and how real-time financial data helps analyze tourist flows, spending and support regional development.

Croatia will share its experience with the e-Tourist system, Malta will present an AI-based tourism research system, Spain will showcase solutions for distributing tourist flows across regions, and Amadeus will introduce new tools being launched to the market this year.

During the forum, awards will be presented to five Lithuanian municipalities recognized in the Best Tourism Villages competition, and the “Most Successful Lithuanian Tourism Project 2025” awards ceremony will take place, honoring the most innovative and impactful tourism projects in the country.

In 2025, international tourist arrivals worldwide increased by 4% to 1.52 billion, reflecting a return to pre-pandemic growth trends and sustained strong global travel demand.

The International Tourism Forum “Designing Travel – What’s Next in 2026?” is organized by the Ministry of the Economy and Innovation, Keliauk Lietuvoje, and Litexpo. The forum will mark the start of the tourism events season, ahead of the international tourism and leisure exhibition ADVENTUR 2026, which opens in the capital on January 30.

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“The consistent decisions Spain makes to advance air defence in the Baltic region is a clear demonstration of political will and NATO’s collective defence commitment. Such steps taken by the Allies strengthen deterrence, send an unmistakable signal of Alliance unity, and are crucial for the security of Lithuania and the entire eastern flank,” said Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.

The systems deployed to the Lithuanian Air Force Base in Šiauliai are operated by the “Lobo” Tactical Unit of the Air and Space Force: a team of nine conduct constant monitoring of designated airspace area to ensure protection of the eastern NATO border against unidentified drones and balloons.

The Crow system is equipped with radars, surveillance cameras, sensors and electronic warfare devices to operate as a smart shield over critical infrastructure, airports and military units.

Spain is currently also in charge of the 70th NATO Air Policing Mission in Lithuania conducted in support of the Rotational NATO Air Defence Model. The air policing is carried out by a Spanish Air Force Detachment with F-18 jets from the Šiauliai Airbase.

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“We offer deepest condolences to the family and colleagues of the deceased servicemember and to our Ally Belgium. We stand united in the face of this tragic accident,” says Minister of National Defence Robertas Kaunas.

The Belgian soldier was deployed with the NATO Multinational Battle Group Lithuania in Rukla.

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On November 10 fighter aircraft of the NATO Air Policing Detachment were alerted to intercept one SU-24 and one SU-33 flying through international airspace from the mainland of the Russian Federation and back. Their onboard transponders were switched off, the crews had no flight plans and were not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

On November 11 NATO fighter jets were scrambled to identify an aerial target in the airspace of Lithuania. No object was found.

On November 13 NATO fighter aircraft were alerted to authenticate an unidentified aerial phenomenon in Lithuanian airspace. Nothing was detected.

On November 14 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept one SU-24MR and one SU-33 flying through international airspace from mainland Russia and back. Their onboard transponders were switched off, the crews had no flight plans and were not maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control centre.

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On November 5 NATO Air Policing fighter jets were dispatched to intercept an unidentified aerial target in the Lithuanian airspace, however, the alert trigger was not detected.

On November 7 NATO fighter aircraft were scrambled to intercept one TU-134 flying in international airspace from mainland Russia to Kaliningrad. Its onboard transponder was switched on, the crew had no pre-filed flight plan but was maintaining radio communication with the regional air traffic control.

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Employment and Social Affairs MEPs have agreed on a series of recommendations for a new EU bill to ensure the transparent, fair, and safe use of automated monitoring and decision-making systems used to take or support decisions in the workplace. While stressing that the use of algorithmic management (AM) systems can provide opportunities for work optimisation, they want these technologies to be overseen by humans, and emphasise the importance of transparency and the protection of fundamental rights and personal data.

The request for a legislative initiative was adopted by 41 votes in favour and 6 votes against, with 4 abstentions.

Humans in control

There must be human oversight for all decisions taken or supported by AM systems under the new law, according to MEPs. Workers should be able to request explanations on decisions taken or supported by algorithmic management. Final decisions on the initiation or termination of employment, the renewal or non-renewal of a contract, changes in remuneration, or disciplinary action must be taken by a human.

Transparency and right to information

Workers should be informed, MEPs recommend, about how these systems impact on working conditions, when they are used to take decisions, what type of data they collect or process, and how human oversight is ensured. Workers should also have access to training on how to deal with these systems and should be consulted on decisions on remuneration, evaluation, task allocation or working time taken with the support of AM systems.

The use of AM must respect workers’ wellbeing and must not put their safety or physical or mental health at risk, MEPs add.

Protection of workers’ data

To protect workers’ privacy and data, the new rules that MEPs are asking for would prohibit the processing of data relating to workers’ emotional, psychological or neurological states, private communications, data of workers while off-duty, real-time geolocation tracking outside working hours, and the use of data relating to freedom of association and collective bargaining.

Quote

Rapporteur Andrzej Buła (EPP, PL) said: “This report is an important, balanced proposal for rules on the use of algorithmic management in the workplace in a relationship between an employer and an employee. Both sides of industry can consider themselves winners. Employers would have the full right to choose the systems they use: no reporting or administrative burdens would be imposed. Social partners would be consulted to help improve workers' knowledge and skills. Employees would have the right to be informed, and no one would be fired by algorithms. Employees’ personal data would be protected. A strong Europe is one that combines competitiveness and development with high social standards. This is my understanding of the ‘European’ way of life'."

Next steps

Parliament will vote on this legislative initiative during its December plenary session. The Commission will then have three months to reply, by either informing Parliament on the steps it plans to take or by giving reasons for any refusal to propose a legislative initiative along the lines of Parliament’s request.

Background

There is already legislation on artificial intelligence and data protection at EU level, for instance the AI Act and the General Data Protection Regulation. Rules focusing more specifically on the use of artificial intelligence at work are laid down in the Platform Work Directive.

Ref.: 20251110IPR31358
www.europarl.europa.eu