EU buys 300m doses of
BioNTech-Pfizer vaccine
(Reuters | BBC | Deutsche Welle)
“Under the EU deal, 27 European countries could buy 200 million doses, and have an option to purchase another 100 million. The bloc will pay less than $19.50 per shot …”
—
https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-54902056
—
EL maksab koroonavaktsiini eest väidetavalt vähem kui USA
(ERR)
“Läbirääkimistega seotud olnud ametnik rääkis Reutersile anonüümsust paludes, et EL-i makstav hind jääb väiksemaks kui USA makstav 19,5 dollarit ühe annuse eest.”
https://www.err.ee/1158796/el-maksab-koroonavaktsiini-eest-vaidetavalt-vahem-kui-usa
Latest COVID cases in Baltics:
- 259 in Estonia
- 445 in Latvia
- 2,066 in Lithuania
(BNN)
“Estonia COVID Info | Eesti Koroonakaart.”
“Koroonaviiruse andmestik.” - Eesti Terviseamet
“Reovee seire viimased andmed kinnitavad, et Põhja-Eestist liigub viirus mööda Eestit laiali.” - Postimees
“Kaitseväes on COVID-19 diagnoosi saanud 69 inimest.” - ERR
“Epideemiarekordeid hakkabki tulema iga nädal.” - Postimees
“Estonia to impose new restrictions on shops, cafes and entertainment venues.” - BNN
“Leedu teatas nakatumiste ja Läti koroonasurmade rekordist.” - Postimees
“Latvia COVID case total increases by record amount.” - Latvian Broadcasting
“Riigijuhid: kanname kõik maski, et riiki ei peaks lukku panema.” - ERR
“Perceived threat of coronavirus increased among Estonian people.” - ERR
“See koroonalaine tuleb eelmisest pikem ja karmim.” - Eesti Päevaleht
“Tartu City Government closing public offices until end of 2020.” - ERR
“Ukrainian president Zelenskiy in hospital with coronavirus.” - Politico EU
“Coronavirus vaccine 90% effective, say Pfizer and German company BioNTech.” - Deutsche Welle
“Overwhelmed By COVID-19, Russian Authorities Try To Stop The News Getting Out.” - RFERL
— Friday 13. November —
Eesti esitab Euroopale ebarealistlikke metsaandmeid
Kirjanik Ülle Harju, Postimees
“Keskkonnaagentuur esitab Euroopale Eesti metsa kohta loodusteaduslikult võimatuid andmeid ja varjab siiani algandmeid, mis võiksid paljastada Eesti metsades toimuva üleraie. … «Ei ole võimalik, et 20 aasta jooksul on surnud Eesti metsas looduslikult igal aastal täpselt ühe palju tihumeetreid puitu, kui metsa on eri aastatel raiutud ja juurde kasvanud eri mahus, osa metsa on läinud kaitse alla jne,» märkis metsandusekspert Rainer Kuuba (Tulevikuerakond), uurides andmeid, mille keskkonnaagentuur (KAUR) esitas Euroopa metsaandmeid koondavale organisatsioonile.”
Agenda for NATO’s Next Generation
By Lauren M. Speranza, CEPA
“NATO needs a new agenda built for the next generation with the next generation. The “next generation” of transatlantic leaders is largely comprised of millennials born between 1981 and 1996 and some members of Generation Z born between 1997 and 2012. Unlike the generation before them, they may not have living relatives who fought in World War II or witnessed the fall of the Berlin Wall. They have not experienced great power conflict, in large part thanks to NATO’s existence, which has made it easier for them to overlook the critical role of NATO as a military alliance today. This does not mean, however, that they do not care about transatlantic issues or the U.S.-Europe relationship. Their take on the transatlantic bond is just different — less characterized by military cooperation and instead centered on shared social, economic, and nontraditional security issues.”
https://cepa.org/an-agenda-for-natos-next-generation/
PDF Download:
https://cepa.org/wp-content/uploads/2020/11/An-Agenda-for-NATO-11.9.2020.pdf
Sõjaväepolitsei tahab õigust kontrollida kahtlasi mundrikandjaid
(Postimees)
“Praegu on õigus vormikandmise reeglite rikkumisele reageerida vaid politsei- ja piirivalveametil, sõjaväepolitsei käed jäävad selles olukorras lühikeseks. Kui sõjaväepolitseinikud kutsuksidki kohale tavapolitsei, ei tohi nad praeguse seaduse järgi midagi ette võtta …”
How Does the Three Seas Initiative Help Estonia?
By Piret Kuusik, ICDS
“Estonia must find a balance between the US and Europe.”
https://icds.ee/en/how-does-the-three-seas-initiative-help-estonia/
Belarusian Reportedly Beaten To Death By Security Forces
(RFERL)
“Thousands of demonstrators took to the capital, Minsk, on November 13 to mourn the death of Raman Bandarenka and lay flowers at the site where he was arrested before his death. Witnesses say plainclothes men abducted Bandarenka on November 11 after a scuffle in a square where they came to remove red-and-white ribbons that represent the opposition protest movement against strongman Alyaksandr Lukashenka. … Bandarenka was reportedly taken to a hospital with severe head trauma and died.”
Belarus: Lukashenka Vows Not To Hand Over Power
(RFERL)
“Lukashenka also slammed his political opponents and those demonstrating against his reelection as president, and said his country should integrate with Russia and Moscow-led organizations to avoid what he called "color revolutions" -- a term often used to describe pro-Western political upheavals.”
—
"No power transfer! No successors. Whoever is elected by the people must stay [in power]. I have sworn, I have promised that everything will proceed the way the Belarusian people choose," Lukashenka told the Belarusian, Kazakh, Russian, and Ukrainian journalists.”
https://www.rferl.org/a/lukashenka-vows-not-to-hand-over-power-slams-protesters/30949039.html
— Thursday 12. November —
Eesti teadusbaromeeter: 78% Eesti elanikud usaldavad teadlasi
(ERR)
"Nii kõrge usaldus teaduse ja teadlaste vastu näitab, et Eestis elavad teadususku inimesed," märkis Eesti teadusbaromeetri uuringu juhtivautor Mare Ainsaar, Tartu Ülikooli sotsioloogia ja sotsiaalpoliitika vanemteadur.”
https://novaator.err.ee/1157744/eesti-teadusbaromeeter-eesti-elanikud-usaldavad-teadlasi
EKRE Continues to Accuse ERR of Bias
(Postimees)
“Member of the Conservative People’s Party (EKRE) Kalle Grünthal on Monday entered into Riigikogu proceedings draft legislation to amend the Public Broadcasting Act aimed at creating and ensuring political balance so that programs would not prefer certain political parties and movements to others.”
—
“Grünthal says that one does not need to look back far to prove the bill is needed. “The ‘Ringvaade’ program hosted by Marko Reikop recently spent a lot of time discussing gay marriage, while I have not observed ETV paying as much attention to traditional marriage that is between a man and a woman.”
—
“Grünthal added that he also feels ERR has paid more attention to the Democrats’ election campaign in USA than that of the Republicans. “Different approaches and conclusions regarding Donald Trump have not always been the most positive at ERR.”
https://news.postimees.ee/7108182/head-of-supervisory-board-it-is-an-attack-on-err-independence
— Wednesday 11. November —
Why populism in Europe will survive
By Pawel Zerka, ECFR
“For populists in Europe, Trump has been a ‘nice to have’, but is surely not a must.”
https://ecfr.eu/article/why-populism-in-europe-will-survive-trumps-defeat/
The Finnish Island Where Time Stops
By Mia Kankimaki, Wall Street Journal
“Finns are summer-cottage people. There are thousands of lakes in Finland, and thousands of islands in the archipelago along the coast. During the pandemic, the popularity of summer cottages, perfect for social distancing, soared to record levels.”
—
“My grandfather bought the island and the fishing hut and sauna on it back in the 1950s, and I’ve spent my summers there since my childhood in the 1970s. I can still see my grandmother puttering about in her quilted pants and granddad going out early in the morning to build a fire for coffee. Nowadays the cottage is dilapidated, the outhouse looks like it would fall over in a strong wind, and the black spots on the cottage walls are growing larger. But this is still the only place I’ve been where the rest of the world disappears. …”
Far-right protesters clash with riot police during Polish Independence Day march
(DW)
“Many protesters participated in cars and on motorbikes in order to observe social distancing measures but thousands of others chose to march on foot through the heart of the Polish capital. Some threw firecrackers, stones and bottles at police in riot gear and into windows with LGBT rainbow flags or signs of anti-government sentiment.”
With Boost From ‘Tenet,’ North Star Film Alliance Makes Case for Baltic Business
(Variety)
“Since it was launched as a joint production venture between Finland, Estonia and Latvia, the North Star Film Alliance has labored to lure international film production to this scenic corner of Northeast Europe … This year the alliance redoubled its efforts by opening offices in the heart of Hollywood, hoping to sell studio execs on what the region has to offer.”
— Tuesday 10. November —
Eesti muutub üha enam käsu-keeluühiskonnaks
(Eesti Päevaleht)
“Inimesed muudetakse kuulekateks robotiteks, kes teevad seda ja ainult seda, mis on neile ette kirjutatud.”
Estonia’s far-right leader Martin Helme survives U.S. election comment vote
(AP)
“The motion was initiated by opposition parties who said Helme and his father Mart Helme, EKRE’s vice chairman, had “caused extremely severe harm to Estonia’s foreign and security policy interests”. The remarks were made Sunday in an Estonian radio talk show which interviewed both Martin and Mart Helme, Estonia’s interior minister.”
Estonia forms working group on nuclear energy
(Nuclear Engineering International)
“The group will analyse - with the help of foreign experts - the possibility of introducing nuclear energy in Estonia and will present its conclusions and proposals to the government. The in-depth analysis of the impacts of the introduction of nuclear energy will help the state to make a prudent and informed decision, a government spokesperson said.”
https://www.neimagazine.com/news/newsestonia-forms-working-group-on-nuclear-energy-8354308
Helsingi keskuses liiguvad kahtlased noortekambad
(Pealinn)
“Helsingi südalinnas ja peatänavatel liigub 100–150 ettearvamatult käituda võivat noort. Mitmetesse kampadesse koondunud noored on vanuses 13–20 ning lõviosa neist on ajalehe Helsingin Sanomat sõnul võõramaist päritolu.”
http://www.pealinn.ee/tagid/koik/helsingi-keskuses-liiguvad-kahtlased-noortekambad-n259945
Belarusian Nuclear Plant Stops Electricity Output Three Days After Opening Ceremony
(RFERL)
“Belarus's only nuclear plant, near the Lithuanian border, has suspended electricity production … The Tut.by online outlet quoted a source close to energy officials as saying that operations at the nuclear plant were suspended after several voltage transformers exploded.”
“Lithuania asks Minsk for official information on Astravyets NPP incident.” - Baltic Times
Merkel to Biden: Europe ready to ‘take on more responsibility’
(Politico-EU)
“Speaking in Berlin, Merkel said, “we Germans and Europeans know that in this partnership in the 21st century we have to take on more responsibility. … America is and will remain our closest ally, but it expects more from us — and rightly so. We are working on it.”
https://www.politico.eu/article/angela-merkel-joe-biden-europe-will-take-more-responsibility/
Joe Biden and Kamala Harris on Russia
(Russia Matters)
“As president, I will do more than just restore our historic partnerships; I will lead the effort to reimagine them for the world we face today. The Kremlin fears a strong NATO, the most effective political-military alliance in modern history. To counter Russian aggression, we must keep the alliance’s military capabilities sharp while also expanding its capacity to take on nontraditional threats, such as weaponized corruption, disinformation and cybertheft. …”
https://russiamatters.org/analysis/joe-biden-and-kamala-harris-russia
Rescuing U.S. Foreign Policy
By Joseph R. Biden, Jr., Foreign Affairs
“The global challenges facing the United States—from climate change and mass migration to technological disruption and infectious diseases—have grown more complex and more urgent, while the rapid advance of authoritarianism, nationalism, and illiberalism has undermined our ability to collectively meet them.”
https://www.foreignaffairs.com/articles/united-states/2020-01-23/why-america-must-lead-again
“Europe loves Joe Biden.” - Politico-EU
“EU plans to roll out virtual red carpet for Biden.” - Politico-EU
“Biden's Worldview Calls For U.S. To Be Center Stage In Global Affairs.” - NPR
“What will Biden’s United States look like to the rest of the world?” - ECFR
“Biden speaks to leaders of Germany, France and Britain.” - Deutsche Welle
“Britain's Johnson, France's Macron and Germany's Merkel congratulate Biden during phone calls.” - Euronews
“Europe Lauds Biden but Wonders: What Will He Want?” - New York Times
“What does Joe Biden's win mean for Brexit Britain and Europe?” - BBC
“America’s allies celebrate Biden win, hope for more cooperative relations.” - Washington Post
“Putin Is Mum on Biden’s Victory, Foreshadowing Tense Years Ahead.” - New York Times
“International observers see no fraud in 'historic' US vote.” - Euronews
— Monday 9. November —
Estonian leaders congratulate president-elect Biden, vice president-elect Harris
(Estonian World)
“Be it the unwavering support to NATO, rejoining the Paris global climate treaty or his style that, unlike his predecessor, offers less surprises, Biden will be a president on whom Europe can count and with whom Europe can work together effectively … it was also important that no one needs to explain to the 46th president of the United States where Estonia was or what are its security or, for example, energy sector interests.”
“Finnish leaders congratulate Biden and Harris.” - Yle
The U.S. election has a greater effect on Estonia this time around
(ERR)
"Mostly because the radical right that is setting the tone in Estonia, especially EKRE but also some Isamaa and Center Party members, for whom Donald Trump has been an example – his style, how he plays politics through false facts, obscenities and lack of tact – this model will disappear. People who have so far believed that they can say whatever they like in the service of their political goals will realize that while it can be useful in the short term, it will not pay off in the long run based on the example of USA. I believe it is vital for this kind of nonsense, boastful policy and lies in Estonian politics to retreat and ideally disappear altogether.”
President Kaljulaid vabastas siseminister Mart Helme ametist
(Postimees)
“Siseminister Mart Helme teatas täna, et astub ametist tagasi. «Ma otsustasin juba eile õhtul ametist lahkuda. Te ei suukorvista mind,» lausus Mart Helme. «Et mitte seada ohtu meie referendumit. Jätkan riigikogus. Mis positsioonil? Seda me arutame veel. Aga te ei pääse minust.”
https://www.postimees.ee/7105942/president-kaljulaid-vabastas-siseminister-mart-helme-ametist
“Minister of Interior Mart Helme resigns.” - ERR
“Mart Helme, from the far-right party EKRE, accused the ‘deep state’ of being behind Biden’s victory.” - Politico-Europe
“Poliitikud jäävad hätta Helme saavutuste nimetamisega.” - Postimees
“US president’s refusal to concede causes red faces in politics in Estonia.” - Politico-Europe
“Mart Helme sounded like a Trump during radio show.” - Estonian World
“Siseminister Helme astus ametist tagasi: mul on kõrini.” - Postimees
“Ratas: Mart Helme's resignation gives government chance to continue.” - ERR
“Estonian far-right coalition partner said U.S. election rigged, Biden corrupt.” - Reuters
— Russia —
Putin Expects a Long Confrontation With America Under Biden
(Foreign Policy)
“... the long and painful election process and Trump’s attacks on it have provided boundless talking points for Russia’s domestic propaganda machine aimed at convincing ordinary Russians that their own system is far superior to the chaos of democracy.”
https://foreignpolicy.com/2020/11/11/biden-putin-russia-election-2020/
Russians Contemplate Importance of US Elections for Russia
(Jamestown Org.)
“While most Russians did not have a preference for the winner, the fierce political contestation in the US attracted massive attention, and not merely because of the entertainment value. … “
https://jamestown.org/program/russians-contemplate-importance-of-us-elections-for-russia/
Putin: ’External Pressure' On Belarus, Kyrgyzstan, Moldova ‘Unacceptable'
(RFERL)
“Moscow has backed Lukashenka in the ongoing standoff, marred by a violent crackdown on protesters.”
T-72: The Old Russian Tank That Just Keeps Getting Better
(National Interest)
“Tass reported this month that the latest batch of upgraded T-72B3 MBTs have been deployed to Russian troops. … The combat vehicles have received a new powerful engine, an advanced fire control system, a rear view camera and the driver mechanic’s display complex. While developing the T-72 tank, specialists integrated substantial upgrade potential that is being actively used today. The upgrade has covered actually all the systems, improving the vehicles’ maneuverability and increasing their firepower and protection, including the armor shield. … The T-72, which was first deployed to the Soviet Red Army in 1973, was still quite advanced for the time.”
https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/t-72-old-russian-tank-just-keeps-getting-better-172259
“Russian Military Receives Modernized T-72B3 Tanks.” - Defense World
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