Estonian sauna design and tech tour to give Americans a taste of ‘leil'

(ERR)

“A family-run sauna maker and exporter is set to enter the American market. Estonian Saunas OÜ, the brainchild of Tallinn residents Anni Oviir and Adam Rang, has already started shipping hundreds of Tartu-made sauna stoves across the Atlantic, along with a marketing campaign to introduce Americans to saunas, Estonian-style.”

https://news.err.ee/1144822/estonian-sauna-design-and-tech-tour-to-give-americans-a-taste-of-leil

“WiFi-controlled sauna stoves by HUUM are now available in the USA.” - Medium

“Masks are not designed to be used in saunas.” - Yle

— Covid-19 —

“Estonia COVID info | Eesti Koroonakaart.”

“Kas siis lõppude lõpuks tuleb Eestis maski kanda või mitte?” - Delfi

“Latest COVID-19 cases in Baltics. 137 in Latvia, 133 in Lithuania, 49 in Estonia.” - BNN

“Finland reports almost 230 infections.” - Helsinki Times

“Sweden keeps 50-person limit on public events.” - Radio Sweden

“Russia confirmed 12,126 new coronavirus cases.” - Moscow Times

“EU struggles to coordinate pandemic response.” - Politico-Europe

“Euroopa koroonagraafika: Vatikani nullist Andorra tuhandeni.” - ERR

“Coronavirus second wave: Which countries in Europe are experiencing a fresh spike in COVID-19 cases?” - Euronews

“Europe records 100,000 daily Covid-19 cases for first time.” - Guardian

— Friday 9. October —

"Estonia 2035”: A long-term strategy

(Baltic Times)

“Prime Minister Juri Ratas said that Estonia stands face to face with very burning future issues  such as rapid ageing of the population, rapid changes on the labor market, and climate problems, which serve both as a litmus test and an opportunity for us. "Estonia has needed a long-term roadmap for a long time. In the strategy, it has been put forward in cooperation between many people to where and how fast Estonia wishes to move in the next 15 and more years. …”

https://www.baltictimes.com/govt_approves__estonia_2035__long-term_strategy/

Rohelised algatavad petitsiooni: Kas lageraied Eestis peaksid olema keelatud?

(Postimees)

“Erakonna esinaise Züleyxa Izmailova hinnangul on vajalik lageraiet puudutavate küsimustega pöörduda rahva poole. “Kahtlemata on lageraiete näol tegu äärmiselt olulise teemaga ning metsa ja metsade majandamise osas on igal eestlasel oma seisukoht. Meie jaoks on keskkonnaministeeriumi suutmatus võtta vastu uut metsanduse arengukava pea kuritegelik.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7082602/rohelised-algatavad-petitsiooni-kas-lageraied-eestis-peaksid-olema-keelatud

“Tallinn raiub: mullu läks hakkeks ligi 19 000 puud.” - Postimees

“Eesti metsade juurdekasv ületab raiemahu suurelt.” - ERR

“Metsanduse arengukava jaoks pole neljal hankel suudetud keskkonnamõjude hindajat leida.” - ERR

Esimesed liikursuurtükid K9 Kõu jõudsid Eesti kaitseväe relvastusse

(Postimees)

“Augusti lõpus saabusid Lõuna-Koreast Eestisse esimesed kaks liikursuurtükki K9 Kõu, mis pärast modifitseerimist võetakse kasutusse 1. jalaväebrigaadi suurtükiväepataljonis.”

https://www.postimees.ee/7082608/esimesed-liikursuurtukid-k9-kou-joudsid-eesti-kaitsevae-relvastusse

“Kaljulaid at NATO: Security ambition level must not be lowered.” - Baltic Times

“Finland could buy billions in either F-35 or F-18 fighters.” - The Hill

RT: Inside Russia’s state-media propaganda machine

(Politico-Europe)

“RT — which has tens of millions of followers across social media — is a vocal part of the country's propaganda operation, according to the 23 journalists who spoke to the University of Oxford academics. Their efforts included skewing news output to promote narratives that showed the West as corrupt, divided and out of touch.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-propaganda-disinformation-rt/

The Organizational Behavior of RT

(University of Oxford report)

https://www.politico.eu/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/RT.pdf

Belarus Postpones Launch Of Nuclear Plant Near Lithuania To 2022

(RFERL)

“Built by the Russian state firm Rosatom and financed by Moscow with a $10 billion loan, the project is opposed by neighboring EU member Lithuania, whose capital, Vilnius, is just 50 kilometers away. Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia are moving to a full decoupling from their Soviet-era common power system by 2025.”

https://www.rferl.org/a/belarus-postpones-launch-of-nuclear-plant-near-lithuania-to-2022/30884232.html

Fear and loathing in the EU

(Politico-Europe)

“EU leaders worry the transatlantic relationship won’t survive another four years.”

https://www.politico.eu/article/donald-trump-eu-fear-and-loathing/

— Thursday 8. October —

Tallinna südalinnas elati juba kiviajal

(Delfi)

“Tallinnas elasid inimesed juba 3000 aastal eKr. … Kiviaegne hoone, enne Kristust elanud soomeugri naise maised jäänused koos kauge Volga-Oka jõgikonna päritolule viitavate ehetega …”

https://forte.delfi.ee/news/ajalugu/intervjuu-arheoloogiga-uued-leiud-toid-poordelise-toestuse-tallinna-sudalinnas-elati-juba-kiviajal?id=91286123

Estonia joining UNESCO Convention on Protection of Underwater Cultural Heritage

(Baltic Times)

“The Baltic Sea is very rich in underwater cultural heritage and is said to contain up to 20,000 shipwrecks. The Baltic Sea offers very good conditions for the preservation of underwater cultural heritage and there are wrecks of sailboats that are hundreds of years old with masts still standing. Wooden wrecks with this degree of preservation are unique in the world. At the same time, they are important in understanding the history of the countries bordering the Baltic Sea and make it possible to study the rich maritime history as well as trade, technical development and life here.”

https://www.baltictimes.com/estonia_joining_unesco_convention_on_protection_of_underwater_cultural_heritage/

A Baker’s Dozen of Putin Jokes for Kremlin Leader’s 68th Birthday

By Paul Goble, Window on Eurasia

My favorite is #11: “My son wears a t-shirt declaring that ‘I’m for Putin’ for two weeks. During that time, he’s been spat upon and had bottles thrown at him. What will happen to him if he leaves the house?”

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2020/10/a-bakers-dozen-of-putin-jokes-for.html

How Russia erases the Ukrainian identity of kids in occupied Crimea

(Euromaiden)

“Since 2016, Russian occupying authorities have introduced a strategic educational program to make Crimean children forget their Ukrainian identity and become ardent patriots of Russia. The goals of this program are clearly defined: encouraging military service in the Russian army, imposing moral responsibility for the fate of all Russians wherever they be, destroying Ukrainian civic identity and turning Crimean children into patriots and citizens of the Russian Federation.”

http://euromaidanpress.com/2020/10/04/parades-and-propaganda-how-russia-erases-the-ukrainian-identity-of-kids-in-occupied-crimea/

— Wednesday 7. October —

FSB võttis kinni sõjaväelased, keda kahtlustatakse Eesti kasuks riigi reetmises

(Delfi)

“FSB ühiskonnaga suhtlemise keskusest teatati Interfaxile, et sõjaväelase vend elas alaliselt Eestis. Kohus jättis mõlemad mehed vahi alla.”

https://www.delfi.ee/news/paevauudised/eesti/video-ja-fotod-fsb-vottis-kinni-sojavaelased-keda-kahtlustatakse-eesti-kasuks-riigi-reetmises?id=91267561

“Russia detains serviceman and his brother for passing state secrets to Estonia.” - Reuters

Maarjamäe World War Two memorial continues to deteriorate

(ERR)

“The Ministry of the Environment is limiting access to parts of a Soviet-era memorial complex in the Pirita district of Tallinn, as a safety measure as the installation continues to crumble.”

https://news.err.ee/1143163/temporary-barriers-set-up-around-maarjamae-world-war-two-memorial

“Maarjamäe Memorial shoud be restored with new meaning.” - ERR

Record number of women have signed up for Estonian military service in 2020

(BNN)

“In the recent years their number has averaged 30, but in 2020, its it will pass 50.”

https://bnn-news.com/estonian-military-service-attracts-unusually-many-female-recruits-in-2020-217541

Estonia is one of 6 countries accepting US travelers for remote-work trips

(Washington Post)

“At this time, Estonia is not allowing Americans to visit the country for tourism, but they are allowed in for the purpose of work or study.”

https://www.washingtonpost.com/travel/2020/10/08/remote-work-americans-covid/

Wooden architecture of Rīga and Latvia

(Latvian Broadcasting)

“Despite the destruction brought by two world wars and decades of neglect during the Soviet era, Latvia’s capital still is home to a large number of wooden houses. About 4,000 of them are standing in different parts of the Baltic metropolis – more than in any other European city.”

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/features/features/wooden-wonders-of-riga-and-latvia.a375946/

Estonia is a ‘digital republic’ - why it may be everyone’s future

(The Conversation)

“… since 2005, Estonians have been able vote online, from anywhere in the world.”

https://theconversation.com/estonia-is-a-digital-republic-what-that-means-and-why-it-may-be-everyones-future-145485

“Inside the Estonian CBDC Experiment That Could Shape the Digital Euro.” - Coindesk

“Estonia launches CBDC research after delisting 500 digital currency firms.” - Coingeek

Kaliningrad and the ‘Sanctions War’

(Jamestown Org.)

“Moscow has made it abundantly clear that KO, which is so geo-strategically important to Russia, must not develop close socio-economic and political ties with neighboring Poland and Lithuania since such links could have a deep transformative effect on the exclave’s residents. Irrespective of costs and economic losses, Russia will thus artificially seek to maintain relatively high standards of living to avoid public discontent and preserve popular loyalty. This policy leads to the further isolation of the oblast and the de facto reversion to its pre-1991 status: as an isolated and heavily militarized “island.”

https://jamestown.org/program/kaliningrad-oblast-and-the-sanctions-war-genuine-progress-or-avoidable-stagnation-part-one/

Journalist Funeral Reawakens Russia’s Passion to Stand up to Putin

By Anna Nemtsova, Daily Beast

“A funeral was held Tuesday for Irina Slavina, a celebrated local journalist … Her readers knew exactly what she meant in her final Facebook post: “Blame the Russian Federation for my death.”

https://www.thedailybeast.com/funeral-for-reporter-who-set-herself-on-fire-reawakens-russias-passion-to-stand-up-to-putin?ref=author

“Профсоюз журналистов потребовал завести дело о доведении Ирины Славиной до самоубийства.” - Meduza

“Russian rights groups call for home raids to stop after journalist self-immolates.” - Reuters

— Tuesday 6. October —

Mereteadlaste ekspeditsioon asub uurima Läänemere surnud tsoone

(Postimees)

“Täna asusid Eesti mereteadlased ekspeditsioonile TalTechi uurimislaevaga Salme, et analüüsida Läänemere hapnikutaset ja niinimetatud surnud tsoonide levikut Soome lahest Taani väinadeni.”

https://majandus24.postimees.ee/7078409/mereteadlaste-ekspeditsioon-asub-uurima-laanemere-surnud-tsoone

The black area has 0% of oxygen

“How Anomalous Is the Vast Baltic Sea Dead Zone?” - EOS, July 2018

“Development of oxygen depletion in the Baltic Sea over time.” -  European Environment Agency

Huawei draws the line at Estonia, challenging their 5G equipment ban

(Total Telecom)

“Reports are today suggesting that Huawei is set to challenge the Estonian government over their draft bill that bans so-called high-risk vendors from participating in their national networks.”

https://www.totaltele.com/507417/Huawei-draws-the-line-at-Estonia-challenging-their-5G-equipment-ban

Oleme 50 aastaga Eestis talvest kaotanud umbes kuu aega: polaaruurija Timo Palo

(ERR)

“Lumest ja talvedest rääkides tõdes polaaruurija Timo Palo, et Eesti eelmine talv oli suur üllatus talle endalegi. "Minu eluajal ei ole sellist olnud. 2007–2008 oli võrdlemisi soe talv, aga kui siis oli keskmine temperatuur miinuspoolel, siis nüüd oli see plusspoolel."

https://menu.err.ee/1142952/polaaruurija-timo-palo-oleme-50-aastaga-eestis-talvest-kaotanud-umbes-kuu-aega

Siberia: Pathogens In The Permafrost: A New Climate Change Health Risk

(Worldcrunch)

“French researchers have recovered a pair of viruses that were long frozen below the Siberian tundra. In this case, the microorganisms are harmless, but others may not be.”

https://worldcrunch.com/tech-science/pathogens-in-the-permafrost-a-new-climate-change-health-risk

“Entire Northern Sea Route Now Ice-Free.” - Paul Goble

13% fewer families in Latvia than a decade ago

(Latvian Broadcasting)

“At the beginning of 2020, there were 508,700 families in Latvia, which in comparison with the results of the Population and Housing Census 2011 has decreased by 79,000 or 13%.”

https://eng.lsm.lv/article/society/society/13-fewer-families-in-latvia-than-a-decade-ago.a376973/

EU, US oil giants take diverging paths on climate

(Christian Science Monitor)

“All companies pay attention to their shareholders. But European companies pay attention to their stakeholders,” says Kevin Book, director of research at ClearView Energy Partners, a Washington-based consultancy. “To be a European company is to think about European people and European values.”

https://www.csmonitor.com/Environment/2020/1005/EU-US-oil-giants-take-diverging-paths-on-climate

Toxic Hogweed Is Taking Over Russia

(New York Times)

“The enormousness of Russia has been infiltrated in recent decades by an alien force: the giant hogweed. This invader, an exceptionally tall plant with a toxic sap that can cause third-degree burns and blindness, has come to symbolize the fate of rural Russia: malign neglect by the government.”

—

“In the summer, the giant hogweed assumes the look of dill on steroids; its coffee-table sized leaves create thickets impossible to pass without a hazmat suit.”

https://www.nytimes.com/2020/10/03/opinion/sunday/russia-hogweed.html?action=click&module=Opinion&pgtype=Homepage

What It Would Take for Russia’s Millennials to Topple Putin

(Foreign Policy)

“Younger Russians are dissatisfied with the regime but are generally apolitical.”

https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/10/06/russian-millennial-putin-regime-dissatisfied-apolitical-reform/

“Russians Today Simultaneously Apathetic and Angry, Khabarovsk Psychologist Says.” - Paul Goble

— Monday 5. October —

MS Estonia: hole found in sunken ship's hull proves us right, say families

(The Guardian)

“For Lennart Berglund, head of the Swedish Estonia relatives association, SEA, Stockholm must now “tell us the truth”. For 20 years, he said, “we have been demanding another investigation, citing experts who say the ship could not have sunk that fast unless it was holed below the waterline. It has been consistently denied. Now we know.”

https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/oct/04/maybe-now-well-get-some-answers-film-maker-challenges-official-story-of-estonia-ferry-disaster

“Estonia proposes re-examining wreck of ferry.” Reuters

“Ekspertide memo valitsusele: tähelepanekud Estoniast tehtud videost.” - ERR

“Mart Helme: Remains must be brought to the surface from MS Estonia.” - ERR

Lithuania's FM Linas Linkevičius self-isolates after COVID-19 contact during Macron visit

(Euronews)

“A spokesperson for the Lithuanian foreign ministry said it had been told two staff members from the French embassy in Vilnius — who had been part of French President Emmanuel Macron's delegation — had tested positive for COVID-19.”

https://www.euronews.com/2020/10/05/lithuania-s-fm-linas-linkevicius-self-isolates-after-covid-19-contact-during-macron-visit

“Eesti saadik USA-s nakatus koroonaviirusega.” - ERR

Estonian Defense Forces trained at the Ādaži training ground in Latvia

(ERR)

“Altogether nearly 3,000 uniformed personnel took part in the training exercise, including almost 400 attendees of the junior NCO basic training course from the Kalev and air defense battalions of the EDF 1st Infantry Brigade.”

https://news.err.ee/1143300/edf-conscripts-play-role-of-enemy-on-exercise-with-latvian-nato-efp

— Belarus —

Estonia recalls ambassador from Minsk in solidarity with Lithuania, Poland

(LRT)

“Latvia and Germany have also announced they are recalling their ambassadors from Minsk for consultations.”

https://www.lrt.lt/en/news-in-english/19/1248023/estonia-recalls-ambassador-from-minsk-in-solidarity-with-lithuania-poland

“Four more EU states recall envoys to Belarus.” - Reuters

Abkhazia Highlights Challenges Moscow Faces in Integrating Belarus

By Paul Goble, Jamestown Org.

“The political difficulties and expenses Moscow will face if it seeks to more fully integrate Belarus are patently visible in the problems—albeit on a smaller scale—the Russian government has had over the past decade in its efforts regarding Abkhazia and South Ossetia. Moscow secured the “independence” of these two breakaway republics in 2008, as a result of its military actions against Georgia. But attempts to de facto absorb these regions have proven far more taxing than the Kremlin suggested they would be. …”

https://jamestown.org/program/abkhazia-highlights-challenges-moscow-faces-in-integrating-belarus/

Russian Military Creep In Belarus Raises Security Alarms

(RFERL)

“Russia, which has long sought permanent military bases in Belarus, has increased its military activity in and around Belarus in what is its last friend on its border with Europe after an anti-Russian government emerged in Kyiv in 2014. A stronger Russian military presence in Belarus would alter the geopolitical chessboard in Europe …”

https://www.rferl.org/a/russian-military-creep-in-belarus-raises-security-alarms/30874178.html

“The Kremlin Will Likely Use October Military Exercises to Advance its Hybrid War in Belarus.” - ISW

“Putin Seeks Belarus’ Integration with Russia via Belarusian Constitutional Amendments.” - ISW

“Staying Engaged on Belarus.” - RealClearWorld

Belarus opposition leader urges EU to be ‘braver'

(EU Observer, 22. Sept.)

"We did a lot to manage this situation ourselves, with only the strength of the Belarusian people, now we understand we need exterior help …”

https://euobserver.com/foreign/149493

“Belarus opposition leader Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya visits Berlin, meets with Angela Merkel.” - Deutsche Welle

“Svetlana Tikhanovskaya says in interview that people can no longer live under dictatorship, as more 100,000 protest on Sunday.” - The Guardian

“Russia adds Belarusian opposition leader Svetlana Tikhanovskaya to its wanted list.” - Meduza

“Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya unfazed by Russian arrest warrant.” - Euronews

“Светлану Тихановскую объявили в розыск в России.” - Meduza

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