Estonian local governments after greater financial autonomy

Estonian local governments want greater autonomy over how they use the funds allocated to them from the state's equalization and support funds. The Association of Estonian Cities and Municipalities has reached out to the Ministry of Regional...

Ministry concerned abolishing resits might decimate Estonia's basic education

The Education Ministry's plan to scrap mandatory basic school resits could signal that education can be completed without key skills, the Economy Ministry warns. In September, the Ministry of Education sent a draft proposal to local governments,...

France Just Updated Its Rape Law to Center Consent

A demonstrator holds a placard reading “#MeToo is a revolt” during a protest to condemn violence against women, in Paris on Nov. 23, 2024. Credit - Jerome Gilles—NurPhoto/Getty Images France has enshrined the definition of rape and sexual assault...

NATO will ‘flatten Moscow’ if Europe attacked with nuclear weapons, says Belgian defense minister

Belgian Defense Minister Theo Francken had some harsh words for Moscow in a recent interview. “Putin knows that if he plays with nuclear weapons, Moscow will disappear from the map and the end of the world will be near,” he told De Morgen. With...

Government mulls dialing back Eesti Post and Port of Tallinn stakes

According to proposals from the minister of finance, the government plans to privatize AS Teede Tehnokeskus and reduce the state's ownership in Eesti Post and the Port of Tallinn. According to the government's consolidated report on state...

Reform debating party's future after poor local election results

There is ongoing debate within the Reform Party about its future and efforts to find new momentum ahead of the next Riigikogu elections in 2027 following the poor results of the recent local elections. The party's results fell from 17.3 percent of...

Estonia and Ireland to renovate Ukrainian hospital's ICU, train medical staff

Estonia and Ireland have signed an agreement to renovate an intensive care unit at a hospital in Ukraine's Zhytomyr Region and provide training for medical personnel. The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade of Ireland (DFAT), the Ministry of...

Estonia rejects biometric passport exceptions for Russian children

The Estonian Ministry of the Interior has rejected the suggestion that Russian citizens under the age of 12 could be exempt from the requirement to hold a biometric passport in order to enter the country. The Ministry of the Interior made the...

IU’s Hungarian and Estonian language programs are unique. Now, their futures are unclear

Three students conversed in Estonian under fluorescent lights Monday in IU’s Global and International Studies Building. A fourth student from the University of Arkansas tuned in via Zoom. Long-distance students frequently attend classes virtually...

Government greenlights slashing Estonia's gambling tax

Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) said the goal is to increase gambling tax revenue for the state. "The current plan is that while about €22 million is collected at the moment, if everything works and the forecasts hold, this...

Tallinn investigating heads of markets for embezzlement and fraud

Tallinn's internal audit found issues with cash handling and permit issuance at city markets, where some managers pocketed money paid by vendors. Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski (Social Democratic Party) said in a press release that "yet another Center...

Government submits energy sector development plan to Riigikogu

The government has submitted the draft Energy Economy Development Plan 2035 (ENMAK) to the Riigikogu for debate. The plan aims to guarantee energy security, increase Estonia's competitiveness and contribute to the transition to a clean energy...

Estonian foreign minister to visit Türkiye on Friday

ANKARA Estonian Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna will pay an official visit to Türkiye on Friday, the Turkish diplomatic sources said. Tsahkna will meet with Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan, who is expected to voice satisfaction over the...

EDF commander: War hysteria doing Estonia a disservice

There are too many voices of war hysteria in Estonia and too little constructive, informed debate about the current security situation, Lt. Gen. Andrus Merilo said. "There's talk that Narva will be next, which only fuels hysteria and doesn't...

Estonia Boosts Long-Range Power with Major South Korean Rocket System Deal

Estonia is significantly expanding its long-range artillery arsenal, confirming plans to acquire the powerful Chunmoo multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) from South Korea. The purchase, announced by the Ministry of Defence on Thursday, will...

Supreme Court declines to hear EKRE local elections e-vote complaint

The Supreme Court has declined to hear an appeal from the opposition Conservative People's Party of Estonia (EKRE) for a recount of the e-vote at the recent local elections. The top court's Constitutional Review Chamber decided to send back EKRE's...

Two Polish airports have been shut due to military aviation operations

Polish military commanders said earlier that Polish and allied air forces had started operations because of Russia’s attack on facilities located in neighbouring Ukraine. “At the request of the army, the Polish Air Navigation Services Agency has...

Tanks, Drones and Big Guns: Croatia’s €2 Billion Military Makeover!

Croatia’s army is gearing up for its biggest modernisation push in decades, with the green light given for four major defence projects worth almost €2 billion. From cutting-edge anti-drone systems to new tanks, howitzers, and heavy-duty trucks,...

Romanian Foreign Minister Says NATO Members To Fill Void Left By Departing US Forces

BUCHAREST -- Other NATO members will provide troops to fill the void created by the departure of US soldiers from Romania, the country's Foreign Minister Oana Toiu told RFE/RL, leaving the alliance with a “stronger" presence. Speaking to RFE/RL’s...

NATO downs unidentified drone over Estonia

NATO personnel stationed in southern Estonia shot down an unidentified drone on 17 October near Camp Reedo, a military base hosting US forces less than 30 miles from the Russian border. The Estonian Defence Forces (EDF) confirmed that the object...