The state of emergency is imposed on six municipalities in southern Lithuania: districts of Alytus, Lazdijai, Varena, Salcininkai, Trakai and Druskininkai.

CO2 emissions should be cut and the amount of renewable energy boosted to make our energy system more competitive and greener, but by how much? The European Commission proposes to cut emissions by 40% compared to the level in 1990 and increase the share for renewable energy to 27% by 2030, however many MEPs have criticised the plans, which will be voted on during next week's plenary. Find out what the MEPs in charge of steering the proposal through Parliament have to say about it.

The euro area (EA17) seasonally-adjusted unemployment rate was 12.0% in December 2013, stable since October. It was 11.9% in December 2012. The EU281 unemployment rate was 10.7% in December 2013, down from 10.8% in November. It was 10.8% in December 2012. These figures are published by Eurostat, the statistical office of the European Union.

Panevezys will become Lithuanian capital of culture of 2014 – on Friday the cultural program will start with the festival of fire and light.

It's something we all worry about: 76% of Europeans are concerned that their personal data is not safe in the hands of private companies. To call attention to the issue, European Data Protection Day is marked every year on 28 January. MEPs are currently working on beefing up European rules on data protection to ensure people's data are safe online. Find out the facts in our infographic.

Plans to ban invasive alien species, such as plants, animals or insects that can carry or cause diseases, harm the environment or cause economic losses, from entering the EU and to improve efforts to address the threat posed if they do spread through the EU were backed by environment MEPs on Thursday. Under the draft rules, species declared "of Union concern" would be banned.

According to Vilnius Tourist Information Centre, in 2013 Vilnius enjoyed exceptional international attention, with traffic of tourist (www.vilnius-tourism.lt) and events (www.vilnius-events.lt) sites soaring by 49 per cent and reaching a record level.

The illicit trade in tobacco products costs EU countries €10 billion a year in lost tax revenues, according to estimates by the European Commission. Experts and MEPs met on 22 January to discuss how to tackle the issue and the role played by major tobacco producers. "The idea that we are winning the battle against smuggling is perhaps not quite true," said Green Belgian MEP Bart Staes, vice-chair of the budgetary control committee, which helped to organise the hearing.

Vilnius enjoyed exceptionally great interest in 2013. According to Vilnius Tourist Information Center, the traffic of tourist and events sites soared by 49% and reached a record level, the Vilnius Convention Bureau said in a statement.

Lithuania's PM Algirdas Butkevicius says that LTL 88.6 million (EUR 25.7 million) will be allocated to compensation of pensions in 2014. This sum is set for compensations of retirement allowances, disability pensions in the last quarter of 2014.