Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.
Estonia adds identity verification to new digital government app
Biometric Update
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July 9, 2025
Estonia has launched an identity verification feature for the country’s digital government app to make it easier to access services. The EEsti.ee app, sometimes referred to as the Estonian app, was launched in December, and connects to more than...
Other Tartu mayoral candidates oppose Center's free public transport pitch
ERR
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July 9, 2025
The Center Party has proposed making public transport free for all residents in Tartu, following Tallinn's example. Mayoral candidates from other parties in this fall's local elections disagree. In the City of Tartu, public transport is currently...
Regional minister hopeful of political consensus on cat microchipping
ERR
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July 9, 2025
The Estonian Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture announced the launch of consultations to make the vaccination and microchipping of cats compulsory, in addition to dogs. Minister Hendrik Johannes Terras (Eesti 200) hopes to reach a...
Legal age you can get married in Scotland could change – here’s why
The Scottish Sun
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July 9, 2025
The Scottish government has now confirmed it will consult on raising the age of marriage and civil partnership from 16 to 18 - bringing it in line with England and Wales. Marriage laws in Scotland allow those aged 16-17 to marry without parental...
Estonia launches state app to bring government to your phone
Estonian World
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July 9, 2025
In its latest push to stay ahead as a global digital leader, Estonia has launched a state-backed mobile app that lets citizens access services, verify their identity and track their personal data – all from their smartphone. Estonia, long hailed...
Estonia’s tech maverick launches bold defence fund to “re-arm Europe”
Estonian World
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July 9, 2025
Ragnar Sass, the Estonian tech entrepreneur behind Pipedrive and the Lift99 startup hub, has announced the launch of Darkstar, a pan-European defence fund that aims to inject wartime urgency – and battlefield pragmatism – into the continent’s...
Estonia may block EU's new Russia sanctions package if oil price cap not lowered
ERR
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July 9, 2025
Estonia may block the adoption of the European Union's 18th sanctions package against Russia if the price cap on Russian oil is not dropped to $45, Minister of Foreign Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) has indicated. Last month, the president of the...
More international students choosing Estonia for university
ERR
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July 9, 2025
This fall, more international students are expected to begin studies at Estonian universities than in recent years, with the largest numbers coming from Azerbaijan and Ukraine and strong interest in business, the humanities, the arts and ICT,...
Gallery: Belarusian community in Estonia celebrates midsummer
ERR
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July 9, 2025
Belarusians in Estonia celebrated midsummer, known as Kupalle, on Sunday (July 6) with a concert at Paavli Culture Factory in Tallinn. Participants celebrated Belarusian culture and traditions by making traditional flower wreaths, and with dancing...
Initiative to reduce VAT on food gains broad support in Estonia
Baltic News Network
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July 9, 2025
More than 50,000 citizens have already signed a public initiative calling for a reduction in value-added tax on food products to 10 percent, writes ERR News. From the 1st of July, the VAT rate in Estonia for all goods, including food, was...
Tallinn mayor brushes off Reform criticism to continue cooperation
ERR
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July 9, 2025
Mayor of Tallinn Jevgeni Ossinovski (SDE) said there are two possible outcomes of the upcoming local elections: either he will continue as mayor, or Mihhail Kõlvart (Center) will return to lead the council. This week, Reform agreed to rejoin the...
Tallinn political crisis boosts support for Center, weakens Reform
ERR
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July 9, 2025
Three months before the local elections, the Center Party holds the highest level of support in Tallinn. A new poll shows the recent coalition crisis in the capital boosted support for Center and decreased support for Reform. Norstat's latest...
How to build digital credentials that work in government
Global Government Forum
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July 9, 2025
A photo from the e-Estonia showroom as part of the Estonian European Union presidency in 2017. Estonian Presidency's photo, licensed under Creative Commons BY 2.0 Many governments have developed or are in the process of developing digital...
International youth climate change conference in Korea prepares for COP30
The Korea Times
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July 9, 2025
More than 150 passionate young climate leaders from Korea and representatives from Madagascar, Brazil, Syria and Estonia gathered at Seoul National University’s Gwanak Campus for the Local Conference of Youth (LCOY) Korea 2025, the country’s...
50,000 people sign petition to lower Estonia's VAT rate on food to 10%
ERR
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July 9, 2025
By midday Wednesday, more than 50,000 people had signed a citizens' initiative calling on the Riigikogu to lower the value-added tax on food products to 10 percent. As of July 1, VAT in Estonia — including on all foodstuffs — was raised to 24...
Justice minister halts bank queries via enforcement register
ERR
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July 9, 2025
Minister of Justice and Digital Affairs Liisa Pakosta (Eesti 200) has suspended all institutional access to bank data via the enforcement register until each agency can prove compliance with new, stricter rules. Pakosta signed the register's...
Government’s AI strategy criticised for lack of detail, timelines
The New Zealand Herald
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July 8, 2025
“It doesn’t contain any timelines or deliverables and there’s no new money but it’s a good first step; a good conversation starter,” AI Forum NZ executive director Madeline Newman told the Herald. Auckland Business Chamber chief executive Simon...
Stock exchange listing – opportunity or threat? Latvian Prime Minister calls for open debate
Baltic News Network
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July 9, 2025
A public discussion on the potential listing of state-owned enterprises on the stock exchange is necessary, Latvian Prime Minister Evika Siliņa (New Unity) told journalists. “In a democratic country, I believe it is very important that we discuss...
Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski survives vote of no confidence
ERR
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July 8, 2025
A motion of no confidence against Tallinn Mayor Jevgeni Ossinovski (SDE) has failed. Only members of the city's opposition voted in favor of the motion at an extraordinary council meeting on Tuesday. A minimum of 40 votes was needed to pass the...
Estonia’s road to comprehensive security
New Eastern Europe
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July 8, 2025
Since regaining independence in 1991, Estonia has undergone a rapid and determined transformation, embracing modernization, democracy and western integration. Yet its path to NATO membership and security reform was anything but straightforward, as...