05.12.25 NEWS ... Finland and Estonia launched an updated version of their population data sharing tool this week to give each country a better overview of citizens who live and work on both sides of the Gulf of Finland.

05.12.25 NEWS ... President's decision not to promulgate the law on language requirements for conscripts came as an unpleasant surprise, said Riigikogu defense chair Kalev Stoicescu.

05.12.25 NEWS ... A coastal road in southwest Estonia has been brightened up, thanks to an unusual Christmas installation.

05.12.25 NEWS ... President Alar Karis has decided not to promulgate a law amending military service rules, citing a violation of the principle of equal treatment.

05.12.25 NEWS ... Members of the Riigikogu have decided to end a long-running Christmas tradition which sees Santa Claus visit the parliament to hand out gifts, saying it has become "outdated," Delfi reports.

05.12.25 NEWS ... Many government websites, including those of the government, Riigikogu and police, went down Friday morning due to issues with cybersecurity firm Cloudflare.

05.12.25 NEWS ... Estonia's politicians are divided over a possible European Union-wide ban on the sale of energy drinks to minors, which is currently under discussion in Brussels.

05.12.25 NEWS ... Although ministries say they don't pay Christmas bonuses, performance bonuses are handed out at year's end or early the next year and holiday parties are rebranded.

05.12.25 NEWS ... The Justice and Digital Ministry's court reform plan drew sharp criticism for centralization, reduced judicial independence and national security concerns.

05.12.25 NEWS ... The Police and Border Guard Board says its three rescue helicopters are not enough to meet operational needs and that Estonia should have at least five.

04.12.25 NEWS ... On a recent visit to Estonia, Swedish Nobel laureate Svante Pääbo reflected on his family's ties to Estonia, its scientific achievements, and what matters most for the future.

04.12.25 NEWS ... The government has agreed to extend restraining orders in domestic violence cases from 12 to 72 hours to reduce the risk of repeated violence and protect victims.

04.12.25 NEWS ... The EU's plan to bring drug production back to Europe may slightly raise prices initially, but stronger supply chains could offset that rise, Estonian officials say.

04.12.25 NEWS ... The Ministry of Education wants to legalize school preference declarations in high school admissions, but critics fear it could push some students into weaker schools.

04.12.25 NEWS ... A long serving Tallinn school principal has been fired over widespread obstruction to the transition to Estonian-language education.

04.12.25 NEWS ... Several sections of the Tallinn–Pärnu–Ikla highway will be rebuilt in the first half of next year, with work worth €170 million set to finish by 2027 or 2028.

04.12.25 NEWS ... A road traveler got a good view of an elk in southwestern Estonia last weekend, capturing the evidence on camera, Maaleht reported.

03.12.25 NEWS ... Academic Jaak Aaviksoo said on "Otse uudistemajast" that Estonian universities are too focused on protecting guild-like structures and that academic freedom must also come with responsibility.

03.12.25 NEWS ... A Christmas window decorating tradition started by the small village community of Väätsa has grown so popular that there aren't enough windows to go around.

03.12.25 NEWS ... Estonian Defense Forces (EDF) members who have served overseas are the "gold standard" of Estonia's military, bringing a valuable strength to Estonia's own domestic defense too, Prime Minister Kristen Michal (Reform) said.

03.12.25 NEWS ... President Alar Karis has decided not to promulgate a law amending the Employment Contracts Act, citing constitutional violations during its passage in the Riigikogu.

03.12.25 NEWS ... The Central Criminal Police have filed a criminal suspicion against Riigikogu member Mart Maastik in connection with a donation made to the Isamaa political party.

03.12.25 NEWS ... The state is directing schools to assess students' behavior and diligence in a more continuous and non-evaluative manner than has been done until now.

03.12.25 NEWS ... The European Parliament is calling on member states to ban social media for those under 16, but Justice Minister Liisa Pakosta says platforms must first follow EU law.

03.12.25 NEWS ... An Estonian businessman who had been living in Ireland has been removed from the national wanted list, since full contact has been established between him and the authorities.

03.12.25 NEWS ... If a Ukraine-Russia peace deal is reached in the future, the ISS will work to prevent those who fought in the war against Ukraine from entering Estonia or Europe.

03.12.25 NEWS ... Locally grown potatoes cultivated using conventional methods are just as free of pesticides as organic food, according to research by Ave Kutman, a junior researcher at the Tartu Health Care College who analyzed school meals in Tartu. Efforts to further increase the share of organic food may force schools to favor ingredients sourced from afar, which puts a strain on the environment.

03.12.25 NEWS ... Protests erupted in Lithuania after the government moved to undermine public broadcasting independence. ERR chief Erik Roose says Estonia faces similar pressure.

02.12.25 NEWS ... Rabbits are sweet and fluffy, but their need for space and habits like chewing make them a tricky match for homes with kids, says rabbit rescue founder Kati Enn.

02.12.25 NEWS ... The ruling Reform Party on Monday opposed a Riigikogu bill that would have made kindergarten nationwide, despite supporting a similar measure in Tallinn earlier this year.

02.12.25 NEWS ... Estonian cabaret is enjoying a revival, with shows that blur the line between stage and audience with connection in entertainment, says organizer and performer Kaisa Ling.

02.12.25 NEWS ... Elron's new trains won't start running from Tallinn to Tartu and on to Riga anytime soon, as there's no overhead line between Tartu, Valga and Riga.

02.12.25 NEWS ... In western Harju County, Keila-Joa's Schloss Fall celebrates 100 years of Art Deco fashion, featuring vintage 1920s–30s pieces from sequined gowns to lavish accessories.

02.12.25 NEWS ... Estonia's child protection workers are overwhelmed and the state aims to ease the burden by cutting bureaucracy and making the system more flexible.

02.12.25 NEWS ... Estonia greenlit a sweeping national action plan to broaden equal opportunities and protections for LGBT+ people, including across education, healthcare and the legal system.

01.12.25 NEWS ... Conscripts with poor Estonian hinder both their own training and that of others, says Col. Margot Künnapuu, calling Soviet Army comparisons misguided.

01.12.25 NEWS ... The 325th anniversary of the start of the Great Northern War was marked in Narva with the unveiling of a memorial bench.

30.11.25 NEWS ... The biggest rabbit exhibition in Estonia's history has been taking place in Järva County, bringing breeders from all three Baltic states to show off their purebreds.

30.11.25 NEWS ... A church in Rakvere is hosting a rather unusual nativity installation to mark advent this year.

30.11.25 NEWS ... ETV's annual Christmas charity show "Jõulutunnel" on ETV is this year partnering with the University of Tartu Hospital Children's Foundation.

30.11.25 NEWS ... An expat Estonian businessman has said he does not need to be subject to a "manhunt," and can both be contacted by authorities and has himself tried to contact those authorities.

27.11.25 NEWS ... After more than a year in Estonia, Elron's new Škoda passenger trains made their official debut Saturday, ahead of their launch on the Tapa–Tallinn route in early 2026.

29.11.25 NEWS ... Narva Football Hall will remain temporarily closed over safety concerns, forcing the city's hundreds of young players to continue practicing outdoors through year-end.

29.11.25 NEWS ... Businessman Oliver Kruuda has been declared wanted by the Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) after evading authorities in an ongoing criminal investigation.

29.11.25 NEWS ... Housing loans in Estonia have boomed this year, with borrowers loaning more as interest rates fall, cutting average monthly mortgage payments by up to €80.

29.11.25 NEWS ... School principals say they were surprised to learn the nationwide compulsory school-age limit rose to 18 this fall — not next year, as they had long understood.

28.11.25 NEWS ... In response to Chancellor of Justice Ülle Madise's criticism over privacy concerns related to aerial maps, Land and Spatial Development Board Director General Kati Tamtik said the board plans to implement all the suggestions proposed.

28.11.25 NEWS ... The sixth measles case of the year was diagnosed in Estonia this week, and health professionals said it is a local case rather than contracted abroad.

28.11.25 NEWS ... Only a third of state-funded hydrogen taxis are in use, as delays have plagued the opening of a fueling station on Peterburi tee; more are still planned.

28.11.25 NEWS ... Kristen Michal tops Delfi and Ekspress Group's annual list of Estonia's most influential people, now revamped to include several previously unranked figures.