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Estonia

The latest news, analysis and opinion on Estonia. In-depth analysis, industry insights and expert opinion.

Capital

Tallinn

Head of State

President Alar Karis

Head of Government

Prime Minister Kristen Michal

Prosecutors held the defendant liable for the damages caused to the 77km Balticconnector, a natural gas pipeline that is a key source of energy for Finland. Photo: Handout

Hong Kong courts

Ship captain remanded in custody in Hong Kong over damaging Baltic Sea pipeline

Wan Wenguo, captain of Hong Kong-flagged ship, faces count of criminal damage and two charges for alleged violation of marine by-laws.

8 May 2025 - 9:36PM

Ukraine war

Trump, Putin agree on partial Ukraine ceasefire. Kyiv wants details

19 Mar 2025 - 4:00PM

European Union

Poland, Baltic nations to quit landmine treaty amid Russia threat

19 Mar 2025 - 1:28AMvideocam

Microsoft

Microsoft retires Skype, internet call pioneer

The platform revolutionised online communication with free calls between computers, before the rise of rivals like Teams, Zoom and WhatsApp.

1 Mar 2025 - 4:08AM

Over the years, and as internet speeds improved, Skype evolved to include video calls, instant messaging, file sharing and group communication features. Photo illustration: Reuters

Ukraine war

Zelensky says he doesn’t want to be leader who handed Ukraine land to Putin

The Ukrainian president meets J.D. Vance, who assures him the Trump administration is seeking a ‘lasting’ peace between Kyiv and Moscow.

15 Feb 2025 - 3:58PMvideocam

Fame and celebrity

Meet Robert Griffin III’s stunning Estonian former heptathlete wife, Grete

Former NFL star Robert Griffin III is clapping back at the netizens who said his children ‘aren’t Black’ because of their white Estonian-American mother, Grete – here’s what we know about her.

13 Nov 2024 - 6:00PM

Finland

Finnish PM happy China cooperating in Baltic pipe probe, but ‘case is not closed’

Petteri Orpo was reacting to Beijing’s claim that a Chinese ship had accidentally cut a gas pipeline between Finland and Estonia.

15 Aug 2024 - 12:17AM

Finland’s Prime Minister Petteri Orpo made the comments at a joint press conference with his Estonian counterpart. Photo: AFP

China-EU relations

Beijing admits Chinese ship destroyed key Baltic gas pipeline ‘by accident’

Beijing passed on findings to Finland and Estonia which are conducting criminal probes into incident involving NewNew Polar Bear: sources.

13 Aug 2024 - 12:06AMvideocam

China-EU relations

Why EU’s next foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas could be tougher on China

As Estonia’s prime minister she was cautious on China, but some say she is likely to stand up to Beijing when it comes to Russia ties.

5 Aug 2024 - 4:23PMvideocam

China trade

China-Finland ties, once tight, losing shape as Russia sanctions erode trade links

As Finland cooperates with European Union sanctions on Russia, its relationship with China has suffered as once-lively trade and travel links show cracks.

13 Jul 2024 - 6:00PMvideocam

Previously robust trade and travel ties between Finland and China are being tested, as the European country’s participations in sanctions against Russia have cut off some of its links to the East Asian powerhouse. Photo: Shutterstock

China-EU relations

Exclusive | China taps its envoy to Israel as new European Union ambassador

Cai Run, in Tel Aviv since 2021, is filling a post vacant since Fu Cong left Brussels four months ago to become Beijing’s representative at the United Nations.

12 Jul 2024 - 2:48AM

China has tapped Ambassador Cai Run, shown giving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu an autographed copy of Chinese President Xi Jinping’s book, to bcome Beijing’s envoy to the EU. Photo: X/@IsraeliPM

Nato

Nato backs effort to save internet by rerouting to space in event of subsea attacks

Proposed initiative comes amid intensifying fears in the West that Russia or China could mine, sever or otherwise tamper with undersea cables during a military crisis.

9 Jul 2024 - 12:55PM

Nato

Threats from Putin, Xi will be a focus of upcoming Nato summit

The defence alliance, which is marking its 75th anniversary, will address the war in Ukraine and China’s role in bolstering Moscow, says senior US official.

6 Jul 2024 - 5:54AMvideocam

119

Wimbledon

Djokovic fighting for golden generation amid challenge from Alcaraz, Sinner

Odds will be stacked against the seven-time Wimbledon champion and the holder of 24 grand slam titles when the tournament gets under way following recent knee surgery.

1 Jul 2024 - 8:00AM

Novak Djokovic is aiming to equal Roger Federer’s men’s record of eight Wimbledon singles titles. Photo: AP

Singapore

Singapore outranks Japan for world’s most powerful passport in 2024

Singapore passport holders have the most flexibility for travel worldwide, with the ability to visit 195 countries without a visa.

29 Jun 2024 - 11:02PMvideocam

Singapore passport holders have the most flexibility for travel worldwide. Photo: Shutterstock

European Union

Von der Leyen, Costa and Kallas picked for EU top jobs

EU leaders signed off on a trio of top appointments for their shared political institutions, reinstalling German conservative Ursula von der Leyen as president of the European Commission for another five years.

28 Jun 2024 - 3:16PM

European Union

Kaja Kallas, Estonia’s ‘Iron Lady’, picked as EU top diplomat

With her name on Moscow’s list of ‘wanted’ criminals, Estonia’s first woman prime minister is a fierce Russia critic and Ukraine ally.

28 Jun 2024 - 7:09AM

Paris 2024 Olympic Games

Meet the mastermind behind Siobhan Haughey’s bid for glory at Paris Olympics

‘Those who want to swim with us are generally smarter people … have advanced degrees,’ says the man planning Hongkonger’s path to podium.

4 Jul 2024 - 3:54PM

Siobhan Haughey’s training group of seven swimmers have been described as strong intellects. Photo: AP

Hong Kong society

Hong Kong visitors to EU will need travel authorisation from next year

But EU border control officials say system easy to use and will only take ‘about a few minutes’ to complete.

19 Jun 2024 - 2:25PM

European Union

EU leaders see top jobs deal returning von der Leyen by end June

Consensus builds that Ursula von der Leyen would get a second term, other top EU jobs go to Antonio Costa and Kaja Kallas.

18 Jun 2024 - 2:35PMvideocam

Amazon

Groups call on EU not to discriminate US tech giants in cybersecurity

Industry groups say it was crucial that their members have access to a diverse range of cloud technologies.

17 Jun 2024 - 2:59PM

Industry groups warn that a proposed EU cybersecurity certification scheme for cloud services should not discriminate against tech giants. Photo: dpa

Japan

‘Now or never’: Japan wants more babies by dangling financial carrots

Japan is belatedly taking measures to deal with its population crisis but are they a quick fix rather than a long-term solution?

8 Jun 2024 - 10:32AMvideocam

Children held by their parents at a “Baby-cry Sumo” match at the Sensoji temple in Tokyo. Photo: AFP

Belt and Road Initiative

Opinion | How the Trans-Caspian Middle Corridor can help revive Asia-Europe trade

As disruptions send shipping costs surging and trade volumes slow, the overland Trans-Caspian International Transport Route offers a cheaper, more sustainable option through Kazakhstan.

5 Jun 2024 - 8:30PM

Diplomacy

‘Big responsibility’: China urged to help make global order ‘fit for purpose’

China, as a permanent Security Council member and global power, has a ‘big responsibility’ to help the world order rise to the challenges of the times, foreign ambassadors at round-table talks in Beijing say.

26 May 2024 - 9:00PMvideocam

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Lee Man players to cash in after beating Kitchee to end league campaign unbeaten

Lee Man topple Kitchee 3-2 on final day of the season, with players apparently set for payday after completing unbeaten league campaign.

26 May 2024 - 5:50PM

Lee Man’s win over Kitchee meant they finished the season unbeaten in the Hong Kong Premier League. Photo: Elson Li

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Premier League title but loneliness and no contract yet for champions’ top scorer

Lee Man’s Henri Anier says the climate, playing surfaces and separation from his family made for a difficult first season in Hong Kong.

22 May 2024 - 8:22PM

Henri Anier leads the celebrations after Lee Man win their first Hong Kong Premier League title. Photo: Elson Li

The Football Association of Hong Kong, China

Lee Man eye Hong Kong football dynasty after first league title triumph

Lee Man owner vows to match big-spending Kitchee after 6-1 slaying of Sham Shui Po gives team Premier League trophy.

19 May 2024 - 9:48PM

Georgia

More protests in Georgia after parliament passes ‘foreign influence’ law

Huge throngs of protesters blocked streets in the capital of Georgia and milled angrily outside the parliament building after lawmakers approved a bill that critics call a Russian-style threat to free speech.

15 May 2024 - 1:53PM

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