Read the latest news from regional and global sources, presenting different voices and perspectives.

Healthcare workers in Estonia doubt colleagues' loyalty in a crisis
According to a master's thesis defended at the Estonian Academy of Security Sciences, some healthcare workers in Estonia do not trust their Russian-speaking colleagues in the event of an armed conflict. A few weeks ago, Katri Kukk-Toomsalu, head...

Tartu Old Town Buzz festival kicks off July 26 with Daniel Levi Band concert
The brand-new 2-week-long Old Town Festival "Tartu Buzz" is set to begin on Saturday, July 26. The festival aims to breathe life into the city's historical city center and invite people to discover its hidden corners. On the opening day, there...

Estonia to host a Ukraine reconstruction conference in 2027
Estonia is planning to host an international conference dedicated to the reconstruction of Ukraine in 2027. On 3 July, the Estonian foreign minister, Margus Tsahkna, presented a memorandum on Ukraine’s reconstruction to the government. The...

Helicopter crashes into sea near Estonia's Saaremaa island
A private helicopter with seven people on board crashed into the sea off the Estonian coast on Sunday morning. The Police and Border Guard Board (PPA) said there were no casualties. The PPA was notified of the incident between Väike-Vilsandi and...

Updated: all survive helicopter crash off Estonia’s Saaremaa coast
In what officials are describing as a “fortunate accident”, all seven people aboard a helicopter that plunged into the Baltic Sea off Estonia’s western coast on Sunday morning survived unscathed. Among them was Estonian entrepreneur Väino Kaldoja,...

Pensacola women charged in nationwide $14.6 billion healthcare scheme. How did it work?
The U.S. Department of Justice completed one of the largest healthcare related takedowns in the department's history in July. The National Health Care Fraud Takedown included 280 state and federal cases throughout 12 states and 50 federal...

Several Estonian universities see highest admissions in years
Several universities received the highest number of applications in recent years. The most popular fields of study are related to medicine, psychology and education. A large number of high school graduates and strong interest in pursuing higher...

Four arrested in Estonia over US healthcare scam suspicions
The Washington Post reported that U.S. authorities have foiled a €8.5 billion healthcare fraud scheme. U.S. officials announced that, in cooperation with local law enforcement, four suspects were apprehended in Estonia. U.S. authorities uncovered...

The EU’s Roadmap towards Nature Credits hopes to improve green investment and biodiversity
The Roadmap towards Nature Credits, launched last week, introduces a voluntary market mechanism designed to incentivise individuals, businesses, and financial institutions to invest in projects that protect and restore ecosystems across the EU and...

Estonia to host a global Ukraine reconstruction conference in 2027
On Thursday, Estonian Minister of Foreign Affairs Margus Tsahkna (Eesti 200) presented a memorandum on Ukraine's reconstruction to the cabinet, which will be the basis for Estonia's reconstruction and development cooperation with Ukraine over the...

Defence or deficit?
The recent NATO summit decision to invest 5 per cent of GDP annually in defence by 2035 was warmly welcomed by the countries on the alliance’s eastern flank, which feel most vulnerable to the Russian threat. The Baltic states were the first to...

Tallinn two-Michelin-star restaurant owner: To be the best don't compromise
In an interview on ERR's "Vikerhommik," Sten Sarap, one of the owners of the restaurant 180° by Matthias Diether, which recently retained its two Michelin stars, said the key to running the best restaurant in Estonia is simple – don't compromise...

Tallinn mayor candidate: No three-way meeting with Michal and Kõlvart
Urmas Sõõrumaa, nominated by the Reform Party as its candidate for mayor of Tallinn, said he has not had a meeting where he, Center Party leader Mihhail Kõlvart and Reform Party leader Kristen Michal were all present at the same time. However, he...

Biggest Bust Yet? DOJ Charges Doctors, Nurses and Executives over $14.6 Billion US Healthcare‑Fraud Ring
The US Department of Justice (DOJ) has unveiled the largest healthcare‑fraud takedown in its history, charging 324 people across 50 federal districts with bilking public and private insurers out of an eye‑watering $14.6 billion (£10.69 billion)....
Estonian Refugee Council’s Annual Report: 69,000 people reached across 6 countries
The Estonian Refugee Council (ERC) has published its 2024 annual report, summarising the key activities of the past year. In 2024, the organisation reached over 69,000 people, providing immediate assistance in crisis situations and supporting...

Estonia faces €1.3 billion tax shortfall due to low birth rate
A leading Estonian think tank has warned that the country’s declining birth rate, though expected to ease pressure on education and family policy budgets in the short term, will ultimately lead to a tax revenue shortfall of up to €1.3 billion....

Kaimo Kuusk, Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Estonia
Kaimo Kuusk assumed the role of Permanent Secretary of the Ministry of Defense of Estonia in September 2024, bringing a wealth of experience from both the diplomatic and intelligence sectors. In 2019-2023, he served in Ukraine as an Ambassador,...

What governments can learn from Estonia’s genomic health revolution
Estonia is the first country in the world to integrate genomic data into everyday healthcare at scale, not as a pilot but as a national policy. Genetic screening for breast cancer and using DNA to guide medication prescription choices are already...

13 Hidden Gems in Europe That Left a Lasting Impression
Every time I land in Europe, I feel like I’m walking into a memory I haven’t lived yet. Over years of traveling through cities large and small, I started keeping a list of recommendations from locals and fellow explorers. Some places made the list...

Struuvik and Fraunik the goats to help out at Tartu Observatory this month
This Saturday (July 5), two goats from Tootsi Farm – Struuvik and Fraunik – will take up residency outside the Tartu Observatory. The goats will spend the next two weeks on site trimming the lawn, though if there is still enough grass and hay to...