Galleries

Gallery: Arrival of spring meltwater inundates Emalätte caves

27.03.23 NEWS ... The arrival of the warmer weather has seen a the highest water level in over a decade, at a natural spring in South Estonia.

Estonian defense minister awards mission medals to US HIMARS team

22.03.23 NEWS ... Mission medals were awarded to the U.S. HIMARS team stationed in Estonia by Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Reform) on Wednesday.

Photos: Estonia's third donated field hospital arrives in Ukraine

21.03.23 NEWS ... A third field hospital donated by Estonia, this time in cooperation with Norway and the Netherlands, has arrived in Ukraine, the Estonian Center for Defense Investments (ECDI) announced Tuesday.

Watch: Legendary Estonian children's show 'Mõmmi ja aabits' turns 50

18.03.23 NEWS ... Saturday marks the 50th anniversary of the live television premiere of "Mõmmi ja aabits," a children's show based on the classic Estonia alphabet book "Karu-aabits." ERR's Menu dove into our archives to unearth photos and videos sure to take many who grew up in Estonia at the time on a trip down memory lane.

Court sentences woman to 16 years in prison for 'self-interested' murder

17.03.23 NEWS ... A woman who conspired to commit murder in order to obtain a farm property which had been the subject of an inheritance dispute was sentenced Thursday to sixteen years' prison time.

French Griffons and AMX-10s arrive in Estonia

16.03.23 NEWS ... On Thursday, the French Armed Forces' Griffon multi-role armored vehicles and AMX-10 infantry fighting vehicles (IFV) arrived in Estonia for the first time, to take part in a six-month NATO training exercise involving 350 troops.

Gallery: 'You can count on Germany,' says Steinmeier after meeting Kallas

16.03.23 NEWS ... On the second of a two-day working visit to Estonia, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier met with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas (Reform) in Tallinn on Thursday, where the two leaders talked Ukraine support, European defense and Germany's growing role in ensuring security in the Baltic Sea region. Steinmeier later said that Germany and the Baltic states have grown closer.

Gallery: Recent election results clear signal to Russia, says Steinmeier

15.03.23 NEWS ... On the invitation of President Alar Karis, German President Frank-Walter Steinmeier arrived in Estonia for a two-day working visit on Wednesday, where during a joint press conference at Kadriorg, the visiting head of state stressed the need to support Ukraine and strengthen NATO's eastern flank.

Gallery: Possible coalition planning on ditching 'protection money' scheme

15.03.23 NEWS ... The Reform Party, Eesti 200 and the Social Democratic Party (SDE), who have been in talks since last Wednesday for the formation of a government coalition following the 2023 Riigikogu elections, plan to lose a controversial scheme of parliamentary party-allocated regional investments in Estonia's annual state budget — popularly known as protection money.

Galleries: Youth song festival participants, organizers take on e-dictation

15.03.23 NEWS ... ERR's Vikerraadio took in close to 11,000 entries to Tuesday's annual Native Language Day e-dictation contest and, while getting around all of these would be a challenge, ERR was able to catch up with participants in the 2023 Youth Song and Dance Festival (XIII noorte laulu- ja tantsupidu), an event which inspired this year's text.

Gallery: Monday coalition talks span Ukraine, hate speech, cartel-busting

13.03.23 NEWS ... Coalition talks between the Reform Party, Eesti 200 and the Social Democratic Party (SDE) continued on Monday, this time with a focus on foreign policy and justice. Speaking at a press conference, party representatives confirmed significant common ground on issues ranging from Ukraine support and economic diplomacy to making hate speech punishable and boosting competition oversight.

Construction work on new Tallinn tramline starts Monday

13.03.23 NEWS ... On Monday, construction work begins on the first phase of the Vanasadama tramline, causing major changes to the organization of traffic in Tallinn city center.

Gallery: US Army soldiers awarded Estonian mission medals in Võru

10.03.23 NEWS ... At a ceremony held at Taara Army Base in Võru on Friday, U.S. Army soldiers who have been deployed to Estonia since December were awarded mission medals by Estonia's Ministry of Defense.

Gallery: Candles lit to mark Soviet bombing of Tallinn

09.03.23 NEWS ... Tallinners and President Alar Karis lit candles on Thursday night to commemorate those who died in the March 9, 1944 bombing of Tallinn.

Gallery: Reform, SDE, Eesti 200 start coalition negotiations

08.03.23 NEWS ... Election winner Reform started negotiations with the Social Democratic Party (SDE) and Eesti 200 on Wednesday at Stenbock House.

City of Tallinn, maintenance firms deny roadworks taking too long

08.03.23 NEWS ... Lengthy street closures in Tallinn and the ensuing disruption to traffic has led to anger from local residents, who question whether work could be done more quickly, or in a way more amenable to road users.

Work on Estonia's southeastern border infrastructure continues on schedule

08.03.23 NEWS ... The second phase of construction on Estonia's southeastern border infrastructure remains on schedule. Despite the rise in construction prices and difficulties related to the supply of certain materials and equipment, the works are still expected to be completed by the beginning of 2025.

Increased workload means election posters stay up well after polls close

07.03.23 NEWS ... Despite polls closing on Sunday evening in Estonia, many posters advertising political parties and their candidates remained in place. The reason being, that companies responsible for managing billboards were unable to replace so many all at once.

Pluss Architects win competition for Tartu Raatuse quarter reconstruction

07.03.23 NEWS ... The architectural competition for the development of Tartu's Raatuse residential and business quarter has been won by architectural firm Pluss OÜ. According to the judges, the design takes into consideration the needs of different types of residents, including students and families.

Reform Party weighing four coalition options

06.03.23 NEWS ... The leadership of the Reform Party, which won the Riigikogu elections, met on Monday morning to discuss the next steps in building a governing coalition. The party leader, Kaja Kallas, said that a decision would be made soon, possibly on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Gallery: Vote counting underway across Estonia

05.03.23 NEWS ... Polls have closed and over 300,000 paper ballots are being counted across the country this evening.

Ski resorts in southeast Estonian enjoying last of the winter snow

04.03.23 NEWS ... While in other parts of Estonia, spring is supposedly on the way, in the Haanja Upland, the abundant snow has given winter sports enthusiasts in the southeast of the country plenty to be happy about.

Captured Russian tank moved from Tallinn's Freedom Square

02.03.23 NEWS ... On Thursday, the Estonian Ministry of Defense removed the war-damaged T-72 Russian tank from Tallinn's Freedom Square (Vabaduse väjlak), where it has been on display since February 25. The tank, which was brought to Estonia from Ukraine, will soon be displayed in other cities throughout the country.

Photos: US ambassador, USASAC commander meet with troops at Tapa Army Base

28.02.23 NEWS ... U.S. Ambassador to Estonia George P. Kent and Brig. Gen. Brad Nicholson, commanding general of the U.S. Army Security Assistance Command (USASAC) visited Tapa Army Base on Tuesday, where they met with U.S. troops stationed there as well as members of the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) and NATO Battlegroup Estonia.

Gallery: Guests arrive for president's Anniversary of Republic reception

24.02.23 NEWS ... President Alar Karis welcomes guests at the Estonia Theater and Concert Hall to mark the Anniversary of the Republic.

Gallery: Independence Day Estonian Defense Forces parade

24.02.23 NEWS ... Almost 900 members of the Estonian and NATO forces took part in Estonia's Independence Day parade on Friday alongside 25 pieces of military hardware.

Gallery: Flag raising ceremony in Narva

24.02.23 NEWS ... The Estonian flag was also raised in Narva on Friday morning to mark the start of Independence Day.

Gallery: Flag raising ceremony marks Estonia's 105th Independence Day

24.02.23 NEWS ... Estonia's blue, black and white flag was raised at 7:33 a.m. at Pikk Hermann Tower at Toompea on Friday to mark the start of Estonia's 105th Independence Day.

EDF takes delivery of first K9 to be fitted out for Estonian conditions

23.02.23 NEWS ... The Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) have taken delivery of the first fully "Estonianized", South Korean-made K9 Thunder Self-propelled howitzer, ETV news show "Aktuaalne kaamera" reported Wednesday.

Election debate on sports: Aggressor countries must not be at Olympics

21.02.23 NEWS ... Ahead of the upcoming Riigikogu elections, the Estonian Olympic Committee (EOK) held a debate on issues related to sports, with representatives of Estonia's political parties presenting their respective positions. However, the issue of Russian and Belarusian athletes' potential participation in the 2024 Paris Summer Olympics and how Estonia should act if they are allowed to take part, was impossible to avoid.

Gallery: President Karis presents state decorations

21.02.23 NEWS ... The "Estonia Thanks" ("Eesti Tänab") ceremony took place at the Viimsi Artium on Tuesday and saw President Alar Karis bestow state decorations on people whose dedication to their work and community has improved life in Estonia.

Gallery: 2022 Estonian press photo of the year winners announced

18.02.23 NEWS ... The Estonian Association of Press Photographers' Federation (EPFL) opened its annual exhibition of press photos on Friday at the Viru Center in Tallinn. The exhibition features the best photos taken in 2022 by photographers working for Estonian private media outlets. Prizes were also handed out for last year's best press photos and videos.

Minesweeping area was supposed to be last major development at Nursipalu

18.02.23 NEWS ... The Estonian Defense Forces' (EDF) Nursipalu training area in Võru County has remained within its current boundaries for the last 15 years. A minesweeping practice area, which was completed four years ago, was supposed to have been the last major development at Nursipalu. However, Russia's war in Ukraine and Estonia's changing threat assessment has disrupted those plans.

Gallery: US defense secretary Lloyd Austin arrives in Estonia

16.02.23 NEWS ... On Thursday afternoon, United States Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin arrived in Estonia to meet with Prime Minister Kaja Kallas and Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Both Reform).

Estonia's Tax and Customs Board destroys 10 million counterfeit cigarettes

15.02.23 NEWS ... More than 10 million confiscated counterfeit cigarettes and several smaller packets containing narcotic and psychotropic substances were destroyed by the Tax and Customs Board (MTA).

Danish Leopard 2 tanks training with Estonian Defense Forces

15.02.23 NEWS ... Denmark's Leopard 2 tanks are training alongside the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) this week in Lääne County. President Alar Karis visited the exercise on Wednesday.

Alika to represent Estonia at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest

12.02.23 NEWS ... Singer Alika is to represent Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 after winning Eesti Laul Saturday evening, bagging 42 percent of the overall vote.

Gallery: Valaste waterfall freezes in sub-zero temperatures

09.02.23 NEWS ... Tolia's Valaste waterfall in Ida-Viru County has frozen in the low temperatures.

Gallery: Estonian Olympic Committee honors 2022 medal winners

09.02.23 NEWS ... The Estonian Olympic Committee (EOK) on Wednesday recognized over 200 athletes who had won medals for Estonia across a wide variety of disciplines, through 2022.

New 'Port Athena' business quarter planned for Tartu

09.02.23 NEWS ... A new business quarter called "Port Athena" is set to be built in Tartu in the area between the Ahhaa Science Center, Aura Water Park and Zeppelin Center. Construction of the multi-million euro development will begin as soon as the detailed plan is approved.

Gallery: Rehearsals for Saturday's Eesti Laul finals underway

09.02.23 NEWS ... Rehearsals began at Tallinn's Tondiraba Ice Hall on Wednesday for guest performers appearing during the Eesti Laul 2023 finals this Saturday.

Estonian press photographer opens Ukraine war exhibition in Järva County

08.02.23 NEWS ... Järva Teataja press photographer Dmitri Kotjuh has opened a new exhibition of his work from the war in Ukraine at the Türi Cultural Center in Järva County. For Kotjuh, who has Ukrainian roots, working in Ukraine over the past year was much more than just another job.

State debt burden, taxation system in focus on Vikerraadio electoral debate

08.02.23 NEWS ... A recent debate hosted by Vikerraadio ahead of the March 5 Riigikogu election saw most panelists finding that the Estonian tax system was not in need of a major overhaul, and that any new category of taxation on property would prove inefficient.

Gallery: Estonia's service dogs undergo helicopter training

03.02.23 NEWS ... Thirteen service dogs and their handlers undertook a training session on a British Chinook helicopter on Friday.

Estonia commemorates 103rd anniversary of Tartu Peace Treaty

02.02.23 NEWS ... Estonian government leaders and Tallinn city leaders, along with former foreign ministers, commemorated the 103rd anniversary of the signing of the Tartu Peace Treaty with a ceremony at the statue of Jaan Poska in Kadriorg Park on Thursday. In Tartu, representatives of the Estonian National Defense College (Kaitseväe Akadeemia) placed a wreath on the War of Independence Memorial.

Counterfeit cigarette mill busted in manufacturing facility outside Tallinn

31.01.23 NEWS ... Estonian tax authority officials uncovered an illegal cigarette factory producing counterfeit cigarettes in the search of a manufacturing building in Saku Municipality on Friday. Eight people present at the site were detained as suspects and later released.

Photos: British Chinook helicopters join NATO battlegroup for Winter Camp

31.01.23 NEWS ... British Chinook CH-47 support helicopters currently deployed in Estonia are joining the country's NATO enhanced Forward Presence (eFP) battlegroup to take part in Winter Camp, an annual two-week exercise led by the Estonian Defense Forces (EDF).

Difficult repertoire no worry for Youth Song and Dance Festival auditionees

30.01.23 NEWS ... In Järva County, auditions are underway for this summer's 13th Estonian Youth Song and Dance Festival. While all the singers and dancers are finding their repertoires challenging, no one is considering the possibility of not making it to the festival.

Gallery: UK's Princess Anne visits Estonia

24.01.23 NEWS ... The UK's Princess Royal, Princess Anne, daughter of the late Queen Elizabeth II, met President Alar Karis on Tuesday during a working visit to Estonia.

Gallery: Parempoolsed to top ballots as electoral committee draws lots

24.01.23 NEWS ... The National Electoral Committee (VVK) registered candidates for the 2023 Riigikogu elections on Tuesday, officially determining the order of parties' candidate lists on ballots by drawing lots.

news in simple estonian

About us

ERR News is the English-language service of Estonian Public Broadcasting, run by a fully independent editorial team.

To read up on ERR News' comments rules and to contact ERR's other services, please follow the link below.

Staff, contacts & comments

radio tallinn

watch: jupiter

donate to ukraine

Hea lugeja, näeme et kasutate vanemat brauseri versiooni või vähelevinud brauserit.

Parema ja terviklikuma kasutajakogemuse tagamiseks soovitame alla laadida uusim versioon mõnest meie toetatud brauserist: