District Court hands man 18-year sentence for murder
The Harju District Court has sentenced Elyar Isajev to 18 years in prison for the premeditated murder of a 59-year-old woman, who was stabbed dozens of times last September.
Cinamon to reopen cinema in historic Kosmos building
Cinema chain Cinamon announced on Monday that it will reopen a movie theater in the historic Kosmos building in Tallinn this June, returning to its former home after a four-year relocation.
Psychiatrist: Half our patients could be helped by family doctors
Starting from next year, patients who believe they need psychiatric care will first be referred to their family physician who will determine with the help of an e-consultation whether specialist treatment is needed.
Harri Tiido: Former U.S. ambassador reflects on autocracy and democracy
In this installment of Harri Tiido's background series, Russia, China, and the West are examined through the lens of Michael McFaul. Both Russia and China seek to reshape the global order — much like the Soviet Union during the Cold War — but the ideological conflict today is less intense than it was 40 years ago, Tiido notes.
Kumu to unveil Kristi Kongi's largest solo exhibition 'Chromatic Drift'
Estonian painter Kristi Kongi's largest solo exhibition, 'Chromatic Drift,' will open at the Kumu Art Museum on May 22, spreading colors and motifs across the floors, walls, windows and courtyard of the great hall.
Estonian MPs seek motorbikes' right to use bus lanes
Members of the Riigikogu's motorcycle support group have submitted a draft bill to the government for consideration that would grant motorcycles the right to use bus lanes.
Consent law would change little in the prosecution's work
While the Prosecutor's Office welcomes the consent law currently in Riigikogu proceedings, prosecutors say it will change little in how cases of rape are investigated.
Air Force urges people to report flying objects as Spring Storm 2026 kicks off
Starting May 18, air threat alerts will once again be tested through the "Ole valmis!" mobile app as part of the Spring Storm 2026 exercise. The Air Force is urging everyone to use the app to report any aircraft they spot.
Meelis Oidsalu: Misleading optics in Estonia's drone defense
The military transition related to both mass robotics and the artificial intelligence that enables it should be managed with the same drive and energy as, for example, the switch to the euro. Otherwise, defense reality will pull too far ahead of us, warns Meelis Oidsalu.
Gallery: U.S. unveils designs for new Tallinn embassy building
The U.S. State Department agency responsible for embassy buildings has unveiled architectural firm renderings of the future U.S. Embassy building, which will rise in Tallinn's Uue Maailm neighborhood near the so-called Superministry.
Amateur drone crashes into solar power plant in Kuusalu
On the evening of May 17, an amateur drone crashed into a solar power plant in the village of Allika in Kuusalu municipality due to a suspected technical malfunction.
Students face fierce competition for internships
University students across Estonia face competition for mandatory summer internships due to high demand and limited placements. Despite the resource costs, companies view these programs as effective recruitment tools.
Remi Sebastian Kits: Most citizens consider government's foreign policy poor
Both President Alar Karis' position and his procedural role enjoy majority support, while the government's more rigid alternatives do not, writes Remi Sebastian Kits.
Agricultural land prices fall in Estonia amid lack of large deals
Agricultural land prices dropped by an average of 9.7 percent in 2025 due to a lack of large transactions, according to Statistics Estonia.
Estonia relies on imports for more than 40% of power in Q1
Electricity consumption in Estonia reached 2,568 gigawatt-hours in the first quarter. Since consumption exceeded domestic production, 41 percent — or 1,064 gigawatt-hours — had to be covered by imports.
Cambridge English exam no longer free of charge in Estonia from summer 2027
While Estonia's mandatory high school English exam can be replaced with an international one, the Cambridge or CAE exam will no longer be free of charge starting 2027.
Selver to close its only shop in Põlva
Selver will close its only store in Põlva next spring, as the current rental space would have required renovations costing as much as building a new store. Plans are in place to also close a shop in Viljandi.
Police find balloon carrying contraband cigarettes in Tartu County
Police recovered a large balloon carrying Belarusian contraband cigarettes near Lake Peipus in Tartu County on Sunday afternoon, following a tip from a local resident who spotted it midair.
Estonian experts and politicians against young people's social media ban
The European Union is moving toward banning social media for children under 16 in an effort to protect them from harmful content and addictive algorithms. While several countries have already begun restricting access, Estonian experts and policymakers do not support a total ban.
Estonia's overland hydrogen pipeline plan gets Baltic Sea competitor
While Estonia is planning a large-scale green hydrogen transit corridor, the project has encountered strong competition — companies from several countries, including Finland's Gasgrid, want to build a direct pipeline along the floor of the Baltic Sea from Finland to Germany.
'Project Fear:' Opposition accuses Reform Party of fearmongering
Opposition party leaders hit back at Reform Party Chairman Kristen Michal's criticism on Sunday, accusing him of fearmongering and offering no vision for an alternative future.
Eesti 200: Estonia needs radical changes
Junior coalition party Eesti 200's board on Sunday said Estonia needs radical, fundamental and long-term changes in tax policy, the labor market and pension system.
Reform chairman criticizes conservative parties' 'fear and hatred'
Kristen Michal, chairman of the Reform Party, on Sunday said opposition conservative parties and their allies want to reverse Estonia's development, limit people's freedoms and distance the country from its allies and the party needs to act as a counterweight.
Kaja Kallas rules out running for president of Estonia
Former Prime Minister Kaja Kallas has ruled herself out of running for president of Estonia, saying it is not the job for her.
President: Moldova's membership in the EU is important for all of Europe
President Alar Karis met Moldovan President Maia Sandu in Kadriorg on Saturday and stressed that Moldova belongs in the European Union.
Estonia, Latvia say Europe is moving too slowly towards combat readiness
European defense spending planners are aiming for full combat readiness by 2029, but eastern flank ministers think this timetable is too slow as Russia could move sooner.
President: Balkan accession to the EU must be stepped up
President Alar Karis called for the Balkan accession process to be sped up during a meeting with Albanian Prime Minister Edi Rama, saying the country had made significant progress towards joining the bloc.
Kasparov: Many Russian emigrants are against the war, but not all support Ukraine
Prominent Russian opposition figure Garry Kasparov, who is taking part in the Lennart Meri Conference in Tallinn, said many Russian émigrés in the West are against the war, but not all of them are prepared to support Ukraine.
Ukraine wants US-led peace talks to continue, says deputy foreign minister
Ukraine wants the U.S. to continue trying to advance peace talks and hopes they will restart, Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Mariana Betsa told ERR.
Former teacher sentenced to seven years' prison time over pedophilia offenses
A court has sentenced a teacher in South Estonia to seven years' prison time after finding him guilty of pedophile offenses, Lõuna Postimees reported.
Spring Storm 2026 draws on civilian tech, civil engineering expertise
Reservists taking part in the large-scale Exercise Spring Storm have been gaining experience in drone warfare, particularly those with technical backgrounds.
Alar Karis: Putin must not be given any lifeline or ray of hope
Russian leader Vladimir Putin must not be granted any lifelines nor any glimmer of hope that Russia's aggression in Ukraine will ever reap benefits, President Alar Karis said.
Photos: Rapper nublu gives Tallinn City Council balcony concert
While many years ago The Beatles held their famous rooftop concert, on Friday Estonian rapper nublu performed to hundreds from the balcony of the Tallinn City Council building Friday.
Young people struggling to find work in Estonia despite being proactive
Young people in Estonia are finding it increasingly difficult to get jobs even as unemployment overall has been falling.
Photos: Long-range weather radar installed on Saaremaa
A new weather radar on Saaremaa was topped out Friday.
Minister: Unclear if canceled US troop deployment to Poland to affect personnel in Estonia
The US has not stated if the last-minute cancellation of deploying 4,000 troops to Poland might affect its deployment in Estonia, Minister of Defense Hanno Pevkur (Reform) said.
RKAS sold €15 million worth of state real estate in 2025
State Real Estate Ltd. (RKAS) sold €14.7 million worth of unnecessary property last year, including the former Ministry of Justice headquarters in Tallinn and a historic courthouse in Tartu, both of which found new owners.
Mari-Liis Jakobson: Ideological positions in Estonian politics
With 296 days remaining until the next general elections, Estonian politics is calmer, less polarized and more conservative in its outlook than during the previous election cycle, Mari-Liis Jakobson notes in a commentary on Vikerraadio.
Union head: Teachers demand minimum salary set at €2,300
The Estonian Education Personnel Union (EHL) will demand during teachers' salary negotiations that the government fulfill its pre-election promises by raising teachers' minimum salary to 120 percent of the national average.
Estonian parliament now has more unaffiliated MPs than at any point this century
Varro Vooglaid's recent exit from the EKRE group means that the Riigikogu now has more unaffiliated or independent MPs than at any time before in the 21st century.
Estonian electric bicycle maker Ampler Bikes files for bankruptcy
Estonian e-bike manufacturer Ampler Bikes OÜ has filed for bankruptcy with Harju District Court, prompted by an unresolved legal dispute related to the lease agreement for its Berlin showroom.
Breakdancers to take over Tartu's Kammivabrik center on Saturday
Street dancing hits Tartu on Saturday with the first major competition of the year.
WATCH LIVE: Eurovision Song Contest grand final on ETV
While Estonia failed to qualify for this year's Eurovision Song Contest finals in Vienna, ETV is carrying the event live on Saturday evening.
EKRE MP on alleged row with Varro Vooglaid: It is pure fiction
EKRE MP Rene Kokk refuted claims according to which whether he will run for the party again in 2027 is somehow connected to the fate of Varro Vooglaid.
Estonian MOD official: Ukraine's focus on attacking Russia's rear
Ukraine has shifted its focus to striking Russia's rear areas in an effort to disrupt its supply chains, said Gert Kaju, head of the defense readiness department at the Ministry of Defense.
Pärnu, Tallinn and Tartu all still in the running for planned new sports arena
The Estonian Olympic Committee is forming a panel to assess the viability of three cities' bids to host the planned national sports arena.
Expat women in Estonia share experiences through museum exhibition
An exhibition exploring migration, identity, memory, and belonging has opened in Tallinn.
Liisa Pakosta: A solution to the communications data retention stalemate
A draft bill has been completed that would end the current blanket requirement to retain the most sensitive data — who spoke on the phone with whom, where and for how long — on a mass scale for an entire year, writes Liisa Pakosta.
Watch live: Lennart Meri Defense and Security Conference 2026
The three-day Lennart Meri Defense and Security Conference will take place in Tallinn from Friday, drawing top politicians and experts to the event. You can watch the discussions live on ERR News.
Lihtsad uudised 15. mail
"Lihtsad uudised," meaning easy or simple news, is for anyone who wants to improve their Estonian language skills. Listen and read a selection of this week's news stories below.
