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The Hiiumaa–Saaremaa ice road was closed on February 15, 2026 due to a large crack in the ice.

Saaremaa-Hiiumaa ice road closes after large crack forms

Vanilla Ninja to represent Estonia at Eurovision Song Contest 2026

Merilin Aruvee.

Estonia looking into AI grading for native language exams

As of this year, all Estonian taxpayers can file their 2018 tax returns using their smartphones.

Income tax declarations can be submitted from Monday

A driver's view of the Pärnu-Kihnu ice road which opened on Saturday.

New ice road opens between Vormsi and mainland Estonia

Vladyslav Heraskevych and Kersti Kaljulaid.

Disqualified Ukrainian skeleton racer speaks at Estonian Olympic Commitee dinner in Munich

Ukrainian skeleton racer Vladyslav Heraskevych, who was disqualified from the Winter Olympics for wearing a helmet honoring athletes killed in the war, spoke at a dinner in Munich on Friday hosted by Estonian Olympic Committee President Kersti Kaljulaid.

Delegation from Estonia’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs meets with Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan. On the left in yellow is Marge Mardisalu-Kahar.

Estonia withdraws ambassador from Georgia amid cooling relations

A smart phone user.

Experts: Russia is gradually restricting the internet as elections approach

President Alar Karis awards the 2026 state decorations,

Gallery: President Alar Karis awards state decorations

most read stories of the week

E-Piim Tootmine's new dairy plant in Paide.

Estonia's largest cheesemaker files for bankruptcy

Jeffrey Epstein.

No Estonian 'bombshell' from Jeffrey Epstein files release so far

ISS expels Russian citizen it says planned attack on Estonia

Estonian Foreign Intelligence Service.

19 highlights from Estonia's Foreign Intelligence Service report 2026

Drivers queued up in both Hiiumaa and Saaremaa to cross the first official ice road of 2026, stretching for 17-kilometers between the islands on February 8, 2026.

Behind the scenes of Estonia's newly opened Saaremaa–Hiiumaa ice road

The Estonian Song Festival.

'Estonia needs everyone who wants to belong': New exhibition explores complex diaspora identities

winter: latest news

Road conditions in Hutita, Võru County.

Heavy snow causes traffic disruptions in Võru and Põlva counties

Ice road to Kihnu.

Blizzard conditions mean planned Kihnu, Vormsi ice roads will not open

An ice warning sign issued by the Rescue Board. This is located at an unofficial ice road.

Public driving on unofficial ice roads brings major safety concerns

Residents in south Estonia are using an unofficial ice road to travel between the island of Piirisaar and the mainland over Lake Peipus.

Locals using unofficial ice road on Lake Peipus

Gray seals (Halichoerus grypus).

Public urged to be wary of aggressive seals protecting pups

Drivers queued up in both Hiiumaa and Saaremaa to cross the first official ice road of 2026, stretching for 17-kilometers between the islands on February 8, 2026.

Behind the scenes of Estonia's newly opened Saaremaa–Hiiumaa ice road

2026 milano cortina winter olympics

Alvar Johannes Alev

Estonians 28th and 34th in Milano Cortina Winter Olympics men's 10K freestyle ski

Marten Liiv.

Estonian speed skater Marten Liiv 14th in Winter Olympics 1000m event

Darta Zunte in training for the skeleton.

Latvian-born Darta Zunte first to represent Estonia in Winter Olympics skeleton event

Alexandr Selevko on the ice at the 2026 Milano Cortina Winter Olympics short program event.

Figure skater Aleksandr Selevko shrugs off fall, makes Winter Olympics free skate

Mixed biathlon relay at the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics.

Estonia 15th in Milano Cortina Winter Olympics mixed biathlon

Milano Cortina Winter Olympics opening ceremony on February 6, 2026

Gallery: Team Estonia at Winter Olympics opening ceremony

latest news

Divers from the Estonian Navy and US Navy construction workers complete a week-long

Gallery: Estonian Navy divers complete week-long 'ice camp' training

The Valentine's Day heart in Narva.

Narva crowned city with 'Estonia's Biggest Heart' for second year running Updated 14.02

The alcohol section of a supermarket (Photo is illustrative).

Experts: Estonians underestimate link between alcohol consumption and cancer

The Kihnu ice road on Saturday, February 14.

Gallery: Official ice road to Kihnu island opens Saturday Updated 14.02

NOËP (left) os one the Eesti Laul 2026 contestants.

Watch: All 12 Eesti Laul 2026 songs on Jupiter Updated 14.02

Regional bus (Photo is illustrative).

Buses added to Tartu–Valga route to make up for shortage of trains

russia's war in ukraine: latest from estonia

Col. Ants Kiviselg.

EDF intel chief: Russia timed record number of air strikes to coincide with cold weather

Winter swimmers (Photo is illustrative).

Estonian Refugee Council organizing charity winter swim to support Ukraine

Jonatan Vseviov speaking to 'Otse uudistemajast,' Wedneday, February 11, 2026.

Official on president's Ukraine comments: Estonia's foreign policy must be unified

Banners and Ukrainian flags hung on temporary barriers outside the Russian Embassy in Tallinn.

Experts: Continuation of war in Ukraine increasing instability in Russia

Margus Tsahkna.

FM: Difficult to look Ukrainians in the eye after President Karis' comments

politics

The Riigikogu.

Estonian politicians say cutting red tape could boost EU's competitiveness

Riigikogu's main debating chamber.

Isamaa and Center only parties to see rise in support in February

EU Enlargement Conference 2026: Two Steps Forward, One Step Back?

Watch live: EU enlargement conference: Two steps forward, one step back?

Lauri Läänemets (SDE).

SDE rule out signing no-confidence motion against education minister

Eerik-Niiles Kross.

Russian influence parliamentary committee picks chairmen

economy

Flammik CFO Ester Edro and CEO Hanna Loora Pulst with their firestarters.

Estonian students giving new life to coffee grounds and old spoons

Ongoing construction at the development, now to be called 'Taru.'

Changing Tallinn showcase property name cost several thousand euros

MP and former minister Lea Danilson-Järg (Isamaa).

European court accepts Estonian MP's financial information leak complaint

An online bank transfer being verified in real time in SEB's banking app.

Banks may gain power to freeze suspicious money transfers

Slices of cake.

Southeastern Estonia gears up for Valentine's Day rush

Defense and security

U.S. Navy Seabees join Estonian Navy divers and Rescue Board at Rummu Quarry for a unique ice blasting exercise.

US Navy's Seabees divers take part in unique ice blasting exercise in Estonia

The EDF's Caesar self-propelled howitzers use 155 mm artillery shells.

Talks continue over large-caliber ammunition production in Ida-Viru County

Estonia's first French-produced CAESAR self-propelled howitzers arrived in late January 2025.

Estonia to procure another 12 CAESAR self-propelled howitzers

Kaupo Rosin.

Foreign intel chief: Russian economy vulnerable to every new sanctions package

October call-up conscripts in the Estonian Defense Forces' (EDF) Cyber Command. 2020.

Conscripts with insufficient Estonian language skills to be sent on courses

society

Estonian Sign Language (EVK) interpreter interpreting an Eesti Laul entry.

Saturday's Eesti Laul final to feature full sign language interpretation

Viljandi Lights art festival.

Viljandi Lights festival returns this weekend with art and light displays

Glasses of wine (photo is illustrative).

Work on Estonia's first-ever wine grape variety underway

Estonian food blogger Paula Särekanno shared tips for making lenten buns on ETV's

Blogger shares tips for baking the perfect vastlakuklid for Shrove Tuesday

SDE general assembly.

Riigikogu to discuss capping party donations

opinion

Martin Mölder.

Martin Mölder: The year of losers

Margus Nõlvak.

Margus Nõlvak: Critical thinking best tool against fraud

Juhan Aguraiuja.

Juhan Aguraiuja: Soaring electricity bills symptom of regional power shortage

Kirke Maar.

Kirke Maar: Why and how we plan to launch Eesti.ai

Madle Lippus.

Madle Lippus: Tallinn's budget and dilapidating kindergartens

sports

The Estonian men's national team.

Estonia face tough test as 2026/27 Nations League opponents confirmed

Vladyslav Heraskevych and the helmet, decorated with portraits of Ukrainian athletes killed in Russia's war of aggression, and which got him kicked out of the Milano Cortina Winter Olympics in Italy.

Estonian MEP urges Ukrainian Winter Olympics helmet controversy competitor be reinstated

Racers crossing the finishing line at the 2025 Tartu Ski Marathon (40K event).

This weekend's Tartu Ski Marathon to go ahead on original route as planned

Aleksandr Selevko.

Watch: Estonia's Aleksandr Selevko in Olympic action Tuesday live on ERR

The over-60s strength training class at Tallinn's Reval Sport is popular among women. February 2026.

Older Estonian women trade aerobics for barbells in 60+ gym class

foreign affairs

Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna.

Estonian foreign ministry not worried about minister losing his smart device

Newnew Polar Bear

Ship captain pleads not guilty to Balticconnector damage charges

Lauri Hussar.

Riigikogu speaker: Trump could be Nobel Peace Prize candidate if Ukraine sees lasting peace

Kristi Raik.

Kristi Raik: A special representative of Europe for Russia — to do what?

Ukrainian flag with an Estonian flag in the background.

Estonian intelligence: Russia uses Ukraine peace talks to manipulate West

science and research

Winners of Estonia's 2025 Museum Rat awards. February 2026.

Annual Museum Rat awards honor Estonia's top museum work

Art supplies.

After-school extracurriculars could help keep teens out of trouble

A driverless bus in Tallinn's Kadriorg Park during a pilot project. August 2019.

Driverless buses feel safer after passengers try them, Estonian thesis finds

The election on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, which saw Priit Reiska installed as the next Tallinn University (TLÜ) rector.

Newly-elected Tallinn University rector: Higher education should stay free

Young people using smart devices (illustrative).

Estonian youths increasingly see LLMs as friends

culture

Day one of the dress rehearsals for the Eesti Laul 2026 final, Wednesday, February 11, 2026.

Watch: Eesti Laul 2026 grand final live on ERR Saturday evening Updated 14.02

The opening of Marita Liivak's exhibition

Gallery: Marita Liivak's new Pärnu exhibition explores privilege of introspection

Eesti Laul 2026 second dress rehearsal at the Unibet Arena.

Gallery: Eesti Laul finalists enjoy second rehearsal day

Sabīne Vernere.

Latvian artist's Tartu exhibition imagines empowering forms of women's self-realization

Tallinn's Kumu Art Museum was one of several local locations used in filming for Christopher Nolan's 2020 sci-fi action thriller

Behind-the-scenes look shows Tallinn art museum in a new light

features and interviews

The Estonian Song Festival.

'Estonia needs everyone who wants to belong': New exhibition explores complex diaspora identities

Alar Karis giving the interview in Milan.

President: Estonian foreign policy is united

Orm Oja.

Top chef: It is bleak when food markets turn into little more than stylish hangout spots

Franciso Martínez in Sillamäe.

Tales from the Estonian east: New book explores hidden secrets of the 'other Estonia'

Kersti Kaljulaid.

Former Estonian president on seeking another term: Politicians say I'm a real pain

watch again

The Estonian authorities preparing to detain the "Baltic Spirit" on February 3, 2026.

Watch: Estonia's special forces detain a suspected smugglers ship

France’s Minister for European Affairs Benjamin Haddad.

French minister Haddad: Europe has everything it needs to be a strong power

Astrid Lindgren's great grandson Johan Palmberg.

Astrid Lindgren's great grandson: All the talent in our family went to Astrid

Bettany Hughes.

British historian Bettany Hughes: Estonians are really conversational people

The main and final seven-hour concert of the "Iseoma" Song and Dance Festival takes place on July 6, 2025.

Updated 06.12.2025 12:14

Watch again: December 2025 Global Estonian virtual forumUpdated 12:14

tallinn

TOP area in Pirita.

Owners looking for new solution for Pirita TOP building complex

Outdoor displays in Tallinn.

Justice chancellor finds Tallinn's PVC ban illegal

Tallink's Victoria I cruise ship.

Shipping line Tallink to make layoffs

Maria Izabella Lehtsaar's

New Tallinn art show centers queer and marginalized recovery and resilience

Arhitekt11's winning design

New Tallinn police campus detailed plan in the works

tartu

DJ Maria.

Third Kauge club culture festival set for Tartu this summer

John Legend.

John Legend announces summer show in Tartu

The Zeppelin center and its surroundings in Tartu.

Tartu's Zeppelin Center to be demolished as part of redevelopment plans

Member of the Tartu District of the Estonian Defense League.

Estonian Defense League to hold training exercise in Tartu next weekend

A man cycles across Tartu's frozen Emajõgi River.

Tartu locals take to the ice as Emajõgi River freezes over

narva

Tram tracks.

Narva could get tramway to Narva-Jõesuu to reduce car use

Station Narva 2025.

SADU among new artists confirmed for 2026 Station Narva festival

Narva's Town Hall Square.

New Narva plan shifts focus to riverfront, city center as population shrinks

Narva city council, with council leader Mihhail Stalnuhhin in the foreground.

Narva city council votes in favor of state bailout on winter heating

In 2024, demolition work began on old buildings at the border crossing point in Ivangorod.

Ivangorod border crossing reconstruction to be completed by end of 2026

galleries

German Golub's Erika Salumäe biopic

Gallery: Estonian Olympic champ Erika Salumäe biopic premieres in Tallinn

The first official ice road of 2026 was opened between Hiiumaa and Saaremaa on February 8, 2026. Branches line the track to guide drivers along the correct route.

Gallery: Ice road opens between Estonia's biggest islands as cold snap continues

Over 1,000 dancers participated in the Kohtla-Nõmme Talvepilgar in Ida-Viru County on February 7, 2026.

Sunny skies and swirling skirts: 1,200 dancers take part in winter folk dance festival

'Greetings from Kanepi! Wish u were here' joint show debuts in Tallinn

Temperatures have been below -10 degrees (c) for the majority of January 2026 and the cold weather is set to continue into February.

Gallery: Tallinn freezes in one of the coldest winters for 25 years

news in simple Estonian

Lihtsad uudised.

Lihtsad uudised 13. veebruaril

Lihtsad uudised.

Lihtsad uudised 6. veebruaril

Lihtsad uudised.

Lihtsad uudised 19. detsembril

Lihtsad uudised

Lihtsad uudised 5. detsembril

Lihtsad uudised.

Lihtsad uudised 28. novembril

podcasts

Ari Matti Mustonen has appeared on the Joe Rogan Experience and been warm up act at his live show as well.

Feature | Estonia's English-language podcasts, all in the one place

Tallinn Airport.

Estonia Explained part seven: Why are you here?

Maarja Merivoo-Parro.

Estonia Explained part six: The language has issues

Estonia Explained part five: What is with the sauna?

Maarja Merivoo-Parro.

Estonia Explained part four: A Thousand Years of Multi-culti

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:

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