20.05.25 NEWS ... The weekend's fatal helicopter collision in Finland, which killed five Estonians, has brought into the spotlight private piloting and helicopter ownership.

20.05.25 NEWS ... After a court overturned the Social Insurance Board's decision not to count a rescuer's training period toward their years of service, the Ministry of Social Affairs decided to review whether current legislation on years-of-service pensions needs to be amended.

19.05.25 NEWS ... The National Institute for Health Development highlighted in its latest yearbook that socioeconomic status and level of education are having an increasingly significant impact on the health of people in Estonia. Among other findings, Estonians with lower levels of education are more likely to die from cancer.

19.05.25 NEWS ... Economic Affairs and Industry Minister Erkki Keldo, a lead Reform Party negotiator, said the coalition agreement is essentially complete and likely to be approved Saturday. However, some funding decisions will await the Finance Ministry's summer forecast.

19.05.25 NEWS ... This week, Interior Minister Igor Taro suspended the use of police number plate recognition cameras until clearer rules are established. Experts say full regulation of different forms of CCTV isn't realistic, so public awareness needs more focus.

19.05.25 NEWS ... Analysis from Statistics Estonia shows that the youngest and oldest populations are both in Harju County and that the number of Estonians has risen by 25,000 over the last five years.

19.05.25 NEWS ... Keeping a distance of 50 meters between two helicopters flying together is fully sufficient for safety under normal conditions, air accident investigator Martin Noorsalu said following Saturday's aviation accident in Finland which killed five people, including two well-known Estonian businessmen.

19.05.25 NEWS ... Rail operator Elron's eastern and southern route timetables to and from Tallinn have changed starting Monday as major rail repairs and electrification work goes ahead.

18.05.25 NEWS ... The first speed camera is being planned for the island of Muhu, following concerns over a rise in road traffic accidents, including fatalities.

16.05.25 NEWS ... British trip-hop and R'n'B act Morcheeba gave a free concert on Freedom Square on Friday evening, bringing Tallinn Day to a close.

18.05.25 NEWS ... The investigation into Saturday's fatal collision involving two helicopters and which killed five people may take up to a year, Finnish officials said at a press conference Sunday.

17.05.25 NEWS ... Two civilian helicopters that took off from Tallinn on Saturday morning with five people on board collided near Eura Airfield in Western Finland early in the afternoon. There were no survivors, Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed.

17.05.25 NEWS ... Estonia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and its foreign representations worldwide are flying Pride flags Saturday in honor of the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia (IDAHOBIT), observed annually on May 17.

17.05.25 NEWS ... One lane of traffic on Toompea tänav in Tallinn was temporarily closed Friday following the collapse of part of an adjacent underground fortification.

16.05.25 NEWS ... Public testing of a prototype mobile online voting app will take place in Estonia next week, giving users the chance to try out voting via smartphone and provide feedback on their experience.

16.05.25 OPINION ... Wednesday's test of Estonia's public warning system can be seen as either a failure or a valuable learning experience — but one thing's for sure: everyone had something to say about it, notes journalism researcher Marju Himma in Friday's daily comment on Vikerraadio.

16.05.25 NEWS ... Estonia has opted for a significantly slower method of delivering emergency alerts compared to many other EU and global countries. While the approach does offer certain advantages over faster alternatives, the government is exploring new options that could allow for quicker dissemination of emergency warnings.

16.05.25 NEWS ... This summer, Aidu Water Sports Center in Northeastern Estonia will welcome several rowing and canoeing events, even as delays have put a damper on plans for its full public opening.

16.05.25 NEWS ... Thursday was a big day for the little gardeners at Väätsa Paikäpp Kindergarten, as seedlings they had been growing on classroom windowsills were finally planted following a chilly spring. The kindergarten's grounds include not only flower and vegetable beds, but also a chicken coop and a brand-new greenhouse.

16.05.25 NEWS ... The Ministry of Education has introduced a bill to amend the Student Loan and Support Act that would eliminate the requirement for a private guarantor or real estate collateral when taking out a student loan, among other changes.

16.05.25 NEWS ... This year, the title of Estonia's School of the Year was awarded to Kindluse School, a nine-grade basic school that opened in the fast-growing Tallinn suburb of Järveküla in 2020.

16.05.25 NEWS ... At the request of entrepreneurs, the government has decided to include a fixed ratio between protected forest and managed forest, designating 70 percent of forest as managed and 30 percent as protected.

16.05.25 NEWS ... Estonia's priority during the current energy war should be self-sufficiency, said Viru Keemia Grupp (VKG) CEO Ahti Asmann on the ETV current affairs show "Esimene stuudio." He also criticized the decision to phase out oil shale, which is part of a broader push toward a greener future.

16.05.25 NEWS ... Although the shortage of family doctors in Estonia is a well-known fact, until now, no research had been conducted into the reasons behind it. On Thursday, Marta Velgan, who works as a family doctor herself, defended her doctoral thesis on the topic at the University of Tartu.

16.05.25 NEWS ... Hiiumaa's new comprehensive plan proposes banning large-scale clear-cutting in some forests, but the Ministry of Climate rejected it, citing a lack of legal framework for continuous cover forestry.

15.05.25 NEWS ... Tallinn Administrative Court dismissed a complaint filed by the Estonian Christian Orthodox Church (EKÕK) regarding a decision excluding them from receiving state support, arguing that the Estonian state is not obligated to support a church whose leaders' actions pose a security threat.

15.05.25 NEWS ... The annual Kalamaja Days will take place this weekend (May 17 and 18) and businesses and backyard cafes are awaiting visitors. Events for people of all ages will span both days.

15.05.25 NEWS ... Sworn attorney Allar Jõks compared the current justification for using license plate recognition cameras in Estonia to Donald Trump's approach in the U.S. and called the debate a matter of legal culture, emphasizing that under Estonia's Constitution, all important decisions must be made by the legislature.

15.05.25 NEWS ... With summer just around the corner, a maritime rescue exercise near Toila Harbor put volunteers and professionals from several agencies to the test, assessing their readiness for the busy season ahead.

15.05.25 NEWS ... Estonia has secured a spot in the Eurovision final on Saturday. Viewers can watch Tommy Cash's "Espresso Macchiato" along with all the other entries in this year's contest in Estonian Sign Language on ERR's free streaming platform, Jupiter.

15.05.25 NEWS ... For the first time, emergency sirens in 22 urban areas across Estonia were activated Wednesday as part of a nationwide test of the country's public warning system. However, only 72 percent of the sirens sounded — and 10 percent of those with a delay — and were quieter overall than expected, the Ministry of the Interior said Thursday.

15.05.25 NEWS ... The Ministry of Regional Affairs and Agriculture is proposing a change that would let bus drivers drop passengers off between designated stops in rural areas — flexibility that one regional public transport chief says should apply to pickups as well.

15.05.25 NEWS ... The Ministry of Finance has quietly completed the state's 2025 supplementary budget, which increases revenues in the state budget by €26.6 million, expenditures by €46.5 million and investments by €32.5 million.

15.05.25 NEWS ... Mayor of Tallinn Jevgeni Ossinovski (SDE) and Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform) kicked off the start of Tallinn Day on Thursday, which marks 777 years since the city was granted Lübeck Rights.

15.05.25 NEWS ... The Social Insurance Board (SKA) does not count firefighter training toward years of service, even though the Rescue Board considers it an integral part of a firefighter's job. Over the next 11 years, this interpretation by SKA could affect the special pensions of more than 400 firefighters.

15.05.25 NEWS ... The Riigikogu has decided to amend the Churches and Congregations Act, which the president had returned to parliament, stating it was unconstitutional. The Riigikogu now plans to adopt the revised version of the law in June.

14.05.25 NEWS ... On Wednesday, Estonian Minister of the Interior Minister Igor Taro (Eesti 200) suspended the use of automatic number plate recognition cameras by the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) until the necessary legal amendments are made. The PPA is now hoping for a swift resolution to the situation, as CCTV is crucial for preventing and solving crimes.

14.05.25 NEWS ... The Supreme Court of Estonia en banc has ruled that parts of the Unemployment Insurance Act violate the Constitution by unreasonably reducing unemployment benefits for people who worked during parental leave.

14.05.25 NEWS ... On Wednesday, May 14, sirens sounded across Estonia as the public warning system EE-ALARM was activated for the first time to see what issues may arise should a real crisis occur. One of the main problems identified was that only two thirds of the sirens were sounded on time. The rest were either delayed or not activated at all.

14.05.25 NEWS ... Some of the smallest books ever printed in Estonian will go on display Friday at a new exhibition at Tallinn's medieval Kiek in de Kök tower, celebrating the Year of the Estonian Book.

14.05.25 NEWS ... On Wednesday (May 14), Estonia tested its nationwide emergency alarm system for the first time. The government is now requesting feedback about how residents found the exercise.

14.05.25 NEWS ... In order for the police to continue using license plate recognition cameras, several legal amendments are needed — such as guaranteeing individuals the right to know when and why data about them has been collected, members of the Riigikogu Legal Affairs Committee told ERR.

14.05.25 NEWS ... Air-to-water heat pumps are gaining popularity in Estonia as heating sources offering improved energy efficiency. While these systems generally do help reduce heating costs, it's important to do thorough research before making a purchase, says Jarek Kurnitski, professor at TalTech.

14.05.25 NEWS ... Several buses will be diverted in Tallinn's Kesklinn on May 15-16 while repairs are carried out to a water pipe.

14.05.25 NEWS ... A new observation tower has opened near Kääriku in Otepää Nature Park. Standing 27.5 meters tall, the Harimäe observation tower offers sweeping 360-degree views of the rolling hills of Otepää.

14.05.25 NEWS ... Five cruise ships are scheduled to call at Tallinn's Old City Harbor this Wednesday, bringing nearly 8,000 cruise tourists to explore the Estonian capital. In all, 115 cruise ship calls are planned for Tallinn during the 2025 summer season.

14.05.25 NEWS ... Funding for the maintenance of Estonia's national roads has steadily declined over the past four years, resulting in a noticeable deterioration, particularly on secondary and local roads. The new road maintenance plan offers no improvement.

14.05.25 NEWS ... Minister of the Interior Igor Taro has suspended the use of automatic number plate recognition cameras by the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) until the necessary legal amendments are made.

14.05.25 NEWS ... Foreign Minister Margus Tsahkna said the United States' decision to reverse what he called the Biden administration's "mistaken decision" on chip sales restrictions is good news for Estonia's technology sector.

13.05.25 NEWS ... According to the Chancellor of Justice's Office, the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) has no legal basis for using the automatic license plate recognition system. The Ministry of the Interior disagrees with the Chancellor of Justice's position, but is prepared to make amendments to the law.