16.03.25 NEWS ... This year's military exercise Siil, taking place from May 5 to 23 in various locations across Estonia, will involve more than 13,000 troops.

16.03.25 NEWS ... Last year, 34 people died in fires, the lowest number of fire-related deaths on record, according to data from the Rescue Board. Additionally, there were fewer fire incidents this past winter than usual, a trend that may be linked to the warmer-than-average weather.

15.03.25 NEWS ... After a nearly two-month delay due to court proceedings, Estonian hunters failed to meet the annual quota nationwide, before the season ended on the last day of February, agricultural weekly Maaleht reported.

15.03.25 NEWS ... A Türi student originally from Ukraine has won this year's Estonian as a second language olympiad.

15.03.25 NEWS ... The Trade Unions Confederation (Ametiühingute keskliit), the umbrella organization for unions in Estonia, has called for halting the Employment Contract Act draft, warning that flexible working hours could lead to financial uncertainty, workplace inequality, and long-term health risks for employees.

15.03.25 NEWS ... Estonia is phasing out stationary speed cameras, shifting to patrol cars fitted with artificial intelligence (AI) speed measuring, average speed cameras and automated enforcement.

15.03.25 NEWS ... A temporary road bridge in the Latvian town of Salacgrīva has been closed for a week for maintenance, public broadcaster LSM reported.

15.03.25 NEWS ... Measles (Rubeola) has been making a resurgence in Estonia, with three cases in two months, "Aktuaalne kaamera" reported.

15.03.25 NEWS ... Three patients at Narva Hospital may have been exposed to tuberculosis (TB) through contaminated medical equipment, prompting an urgent investigation into safety failures and the hospital's sterilization procedures.

14.03.25 NEWS ... For the first time in more than ten years, Tallinn residents' satisfaction with their living environment has dropped below 90 percent, with ratings down for traffic, waste management, roads and public transport.

14.03.25 NEWS ... A total of 10,807 entries were received by Vikerraadio in Estonia's 18th Native Language Day live e-dictation contest Friday morning, coming in just short of the previous two years' participation numbers.

14.03.25 NEWS ... Final exams at Estonia's basic schools will be held two months earlier this year to reduce the need for separate high school entrance exams. The Education and Youth Board (Harno) plans to roll out e-exams in 2027, however the math e-exam will take longer to develop.

14.03.25 NEWS ... An unusually high number of classic and luxury cars were registered in Estonia last year, ahead of the introduction of the car tax.

14.03.25 NEWS ... Friday, March 14 marks Native Language Day in Estonia, which is being celebrated with a variety of activities and events throughout the country and diaspora. Tune in live to the Estonian president's all-day reading marathon, and try your best at writing in Estonian in Vikerraadio's annual e-dictation exercise starting at 10:25 a.m.!

13.03.25 NEWS ... With two weeks to go before the vote in the Session Hall of the Riigikogu, it remains unclear whether the disenfranchisement of citizens from aggressor states and stateless individuals will secure the necessary votes to amend the Constitution or whether the entire process will fall through.

13.03.25 NEWS ... The Ministry of Climate is commissioning a feasibility analysis of the Paldiski pumped hydro energy storage facility to compare its impact on Estonia's electricity prices with that of battery storage.

13.03.25 NEWS ... The Ministry of Climate is set to begin negotiations with European Union member states to postpone the implementation of the second emissions trading system (ETS2) for building and road transport fuels. Additionally, Estonia is prepared to seek the cancellation of ETS2 altogether.

13.03.25 NEWS ... This week's edition of ETV investigative show "Pealtnägija" drilled down on just why some Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) foreign mission veterans report feeling abandoned after their service, with some reporting they have experienced post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), or even find that the EDF has treated them harshly.

13.03.25 NEWS ... Aivo Peterson, accused of treason, remains in custody, but members of his current party, Koos, as well as Oleg Ivanov, who was forced to leave the party, wish to run alongside him on the same list in Estonia's local elections set to take place this fall.

13.03.25 NEWS ... Prime Minister Kristen Michal agrees with Minister of Finance Jürgen Ligi (both Reform) who stated that Estonia's so-called defense tax, which will result in a 2-percentage-point increase in the value-added tax (VAT) rate starting July 1, will become permanent. Initially, the plan was to implement the VAT hike until the end of 2028.

13.03.25 NEWS ... In the Lääne County village of Martna, pastor Küllike Valk opened a community cafe last year, from which customer donations have allowed her to keep her congregation's cemetery caretaker employed full-time.

13.03.25 NEWS ... Estonia must implement a directive by next summer that would allow multiple electricity contracts with different sellers for a single point of consumption — potentially one at a fixed price and another based on the market price.

13.03.25 NEWS ... In the coastal Lääne-Viru County town of Kunda, residents are gathering signatures to ensure that the local community's opinions are considered as the Port of Kunda expands. Port developers confirm that compromises are possible, especially since expansion plans are still in the early stages.

12.03.25 NEWS ... Commenting on Minister Kristina Kallas' (Eesti 200) remarks on the need to reduce regulations within the Environmental Board's jurisdiction, experts suggested that rather than cutting regulations outright, clearer rules — such as a general nesting peace period that also applies to private forests — could help reduce administrative burdens.

12.03.25 NEWS ... Külliki Aasa, recently selected as the next director of the Paide Music and Theater House, has no plans to bring back Paide Theater, which had been operating under the house's authority. Paide city government, meanwhile, will not consider the theater's future until after the local government elections this fall.

12.03.25 NEWS ... William, Prince of Wales, is making an official visit to Estonia on Thursday, March 20.

12.03.25 NEWS ... The Pärnu County Court found Age-Theresa Tammaru and Raigo Sõkkal guilty of the illegal handling of a large quantity of narcotic substances. The court also convicted Tammaru of the illegal possession of a firearm. According to the defense attorney, they will likely appeal the verdict to a higher court.

12.03.25 NEWS ... A riverside apartment building in Tartu has tilted so severely due to sinking that Estonia's consumer and technical regulators have barred anyone from continuing to live there as of this Wednesday. Residents of the sinking building have taken the builder to court.

12.03.25 NEWS ... Last summer, residents of Narva were stunned by the sight of a large white balloon repeatedly floating near the border crossing for two weeks, launched by Russia. While at first glance the aerostat might resemble a soft, white Moomin-like figure, experts told this week's "Impulss" program that it is far from an innocent presence.

11.03.25 NEWS ... According to the heads of Estonia's state institutions, cost-saving opportunities exist, but significant cuts must begin with legislative and regulatory changes — and they are continuously proposing areas where expenses could be reduced.

11.03.25 NEWS ... On this year's Let's Do It civic action day, the Green Tiger Foundation (SA Rohetiiger), a multidisciplinary cooperation platform, plans to organize dreaming workshops. The dreams collected in these workshops will be used in creative works and to engage local residents in shaping the future of their region. The project will cost a total of €90,000.

11.03.25 NEWS ... Butterflies in early March are a rare sight even for entomologists, but recent warm weather in Estonia has already drawn out the first brimstone and small tortoiseshell butterflies of the year — and some lucky folks have already spotted them.

11.03.25 NEWS ... In a criminal case involving independent MP Tõnis Mölder, the Prosecutor's Office has provided the defense with a case file containing materials gathered during pretrial proceedings. The defense lawyers are now expected to submit their requests.

11.03.25 NEWS ... The Latvian State Security Service (VDD) has confirmed the detention of an Estonian citizen and a Ukrainian citizen for the alleged illegal collection of information on critical infrastructure objects, Latvian public broadcaster LSM reports.

11.03.25 NEWS ... Tallinn's public transport electronic systems have experienced repeated failures in recent months, prompting the City of Tallinn-owned transport company AS Tallinna Linnatransport (TLT) to decide to fine its service provider Ridango €150,000.

11.03.25 NEWS ... As many as 60 percent of drivers use mobile phones while driving, and with 22 percent encountering hazards due to distractions, according to the Transport Administration (Transpordiamet).

11.03.25 NEWS ... The Agriculture and Food Board (PTA) is establishing a unit that will respond to reports concerning animal welfare across Estonia. The unit will have vans equipped with animal cages at its disposal. To ensure the safety of officials, a contract will be signed with a security company.

11.03.25 NEWS ... The leader of Eesti 200, the junior partner in the new governing coalition, and Minister of Education Kristina Kallas hopes to see a thorough overhaul of the public sector, including the restructuring of government agencies, which could ultimately lead to the closure of some institutions.

10.03.25 NEWS ... The Estonian Police Museum's updated smuggling exhibition puts confiscated goods on display — and also gives visitors a glimpse of what can happen if you get caught up in illegal activities.

10.03.25 NEWS ... The chairman of the Social Democratic Party, Lauri Läänemets, said that the Reform Party and Eesti 200 have decided to continue governing without the Social Democratic Party.

10.03.25 NEWS ... This year, Estonia's Ministry of Education and Research has allocated small school support to 18 local governments for the operation of 27 schools.

10.03.25 NEWS ... Friday, March 14 is Native Language Day in Estonia, and for the 18th time, Vikerraadio will be hosting a live nationwide e-dictation exercise to celebrate. This year, participants will be put to the test with a text dedicated to the Year of the Estonian Book.

10.03.25 NEWS ... The Harju County Court has found Konstantin Gorlov guilty of justifying an international crime on the social media platform TikTok and sentenced him to a fine of €800.

09.03.25 NEWS ... According to Delfi, Latvian authorities arrested Estonian citizen and railway enthusiast and photographer Matthias Rikka in February on suspicion of espionage.

09.03.25 NEWS ... With the support instrument for the reconstruction of small residential buildings, more than 2,000 houses in Estonia are being made more energy efficient.

09.03.25 NEWS ... On Sunday, 81 years will have passed since the Soviet Air Force's bombing raid on Tallinn. In October, the Tallinn City Council declared the anniversary a citywide day of remembrance, during which all municipal institutions will fly their flags at half-mast.

09.03.25 NEWS ... The RMK Elistvere Animal Park once again has its own bear as of this week. The adorable bear cub arrived in Tartu County from Põlva County and is currently affectionately called Mõmmik.

08.03.25 NEWS ... The proposed levy, which proponents say would bring in an additional €40,000 per year to the island, population a little under 700, has both its supporters and opponents among Kihnu's business community.

07.03.25 NEWS ... This Saturday, nearly three years after it closed its doors, the iconic Kosmos movie theater on the corner of Pärnu maantee and Liivalaia tänav in Tallinn is reopening as a new cultural center — bringing together film, theater, music and more.

07.03.25 NEWS ... Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise has criticized the public disclosure of private conversations obtained by the Prosecutor's Office and via covert surveillance operations.