by Ben Rooney

The tiny state of Estonia, one of Europe's smallest, might be the role model for what a technology-enabled country looks like in the 21st century.
Estonia, population just 1.29 million, is well known as punching considerably above its weight as a startup champion - it was the birthplace of Skype. But its embrace of technology goes way deeper than just 20-something entrepreneurs designing apps for iPhones; it is woven into the very fabric of the state.

Details

Published: October 01 2013

I have been playing golf in Estonia every year now for about the last 20 years and witnessed its development. I spend my summers in Estonia and winters in Florida. There are now six high quality courses for you to enjoy and more are being built. These courses offer a wide variety of play and in general are more beautiful and challenging than most courses in the USA. I’m sending this information because I’m amazed that I seem to be the only “väliseestlane” who is aware of and taking advantage of what is there.

Details

Published: October 01 2013

ERR News - “In and Out of Estonia's Doors,” a new book by the University of Tartu's ethics center, describes the emergence of a new generation of people living abroad who have Estonian roots but no longer have ties to Estonian culture or language.
One of the project's initiators, the ethics center's director Margit Sutrop, said Estonia must quickly find ways to bridge the gap with those who have moved abroad.

Details

Published: October 01 2013

BNS - Amendments to the Estonian Aliens Act that stepped into effect from Sept. 1 make it simpler for foreign top specialists, scientists, university teachers and students to take up employment or studies in Estonia.

Details

Published: October 01 2013

ERR News - The Institute of Veterinary Medicine and Animal Sciences of the Estonian University of Life Sciences is to hold a public seminar today to mark the birth of the first transgenic calf in Estonia.
In addition to presenting the transgenic calf named Juuni (June in English), the seminar will examine the development of cloning technology in Estonia and its links to the pharma industry, spokespeople for the Estonian University of Life Sciences said.

Details

Published: October 01 2013

Schibsted Media Group has agreed on selling the Baltic operations in Eesti Meedia (EM) to a group formed by management of EM. The group is supported financially by local Estonian investors, headed by Margus Linnamäe, says the company’s press release.

Details

Published: October 01 2013

Baruto (Kaido Höövelson).    Photo by ERR

ERR News - Estonia's only professional sumo wrestler, Kaido Höövelson, aka Baruto, has unexpectedly announced that he is retiring from the sport.
The 28-year-old said the decision was motivated by a knee injury that has turned out to be more serious than originally thought, inhibiting him from using his full might against his opponents, reported uudised.err.ee. "I can't do it with half power,“ he said.

Details

Published: October 01 2013

ERR - Eesti Energia Technology Industries, a subsidiary of state-owned Eesti Energia, is planning to shut down its Narva factory by the end of November, moving production to a similar production facility in Jõhvi.
The move will mean that the current combined staff of the two factories will be downsized from 700 to 620, Postimees reported today.

Details

Published: September 20 2013