Riga Airport hopes to offer direct airline flights to New York in 2026
(Latvian Public Media)
“Riga Airport aims to provide direct flights from Rīga to New York in the United States, said Laila Odiņa, the chairwoman of the board of Riga Airport, in an interview with Latvian Radio's ‘At the crossroads’ show January 23. The airport has discussed such plans with both carriers in America and the Latvian national airline airBaltic, she revealed.”
—
“The US Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has granted Latvia ‘Category 1’ civil aviation oversight status following an audit by the state agency Civil Aviation Agency (CAA). This gives aircraft operators registered in Latvia the right to operate commercial flights to US airports.”
“Ministry promises to tighten anti-drone security at Riga Airport.” - BNN
Riia lennujaam mõlgutab mõtteid otselendudest New Yorki
(Postimees)
“Lennujaam on pidanud arutelusid nii lennufirmadega Ameerikast kui ka Läti riikliku lennufirmaga Air Baltic, märkis Läti Raadiole Riia lennujaama juhatuse esinaine Laila Odiņa.”
—
“See on eesmärk, mis on seatud – me tahame kindlalt omada otseliini Riia lennujaamast vähemalt New Yorki. Me teeme selle nimel tööd,” ütles Odiņa. Ta on hiljuti kohtunud Ameerika lennufirma Delta esindajaga. Delta sihtkohaks Ida-Euroopas on Tšehhi pealinn Praha.”
https://maailm.postimees.ee/8179054/riia-lennujaam-molgutab-motteid-otselendudest-new-yorki
Eestis määrab edu pigem inimese intelligentsus kui vanemate taust
(Novaator)
“Eestis sõltub inimese edu eelkõige tema intelligentsusest ja vaimsetest võimetest, samas kui vanemate taustal ja keskkonnamõjudel on märksa väiksem roll, selgub Tartu Ülikoolis kaitstud doktoritööst.”
https://novaator.err.ee/1609583071/eestis-maarab-edu-pigem-inimese-intelligentsus-kui-vanemate-taust
“Intelligence rather than parents' background determines success in Estonia.” - ERR
The last of Estonia’s master canoe-makers are still carving their niche
By Avedis Hadjian
(Christian Science Monitor)
“On a gray morning, Aivar Ruukel is scouting for the ideal aspen in the Soomaa, a vast wilderness area in southwestern Estonia. The aspen is the preferred tree for making a haabjas, or traditional dugout canoe – an art that is now endangered. Mr. Ruukel is one of the last five masters in the Baltic country who make the canoes. Until the 1960s, it was the conventional means of transportation in the Soomaa, or “land of bogs,” region during the spring floods, locally known as the fifth season. Mr. Ruukel and Priit-Kalev Parts, another haabjas maker, are the most vocal advocates for preserving the tradition, which is threatened by the making of fiberglass or other modern – often motorized – boats.”
https://www.csmonitor.com/The-Culture/2025/0109/estonia-haabjas-canoe-craftsmen
“Dugout canoes in Estonia’s Soomaa National Park.” - Geographical (Uk)
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Cover Photo:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harju,_Hiiu_County
EstoNews On-Line
https://estonewsoftheweek.blogspot.com/
EstoNews Dropbox Archive
https://www.dropbox.com/sh/1kvd04gtar6ty2b/AADCUK2J_RXcMyIYf_sjnAwoa?dl=0
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Kaitseliit to be involved in critical energy infrastructure protection 8. Feb - 9. Feb
(Postimees)
“… during the the period when Estonia disconnects from its current electricity system and integrates into the continental European electricity system.”
—
“Kaitseliit is authorized to use special measures and direct coercion, including firearms and its own assets, during the execution of its tasks.”
“Estonia's switch to European electricity network to go unnoticed for consumers.” - Baltic Times
Estonian Border Police banned drones near the border in Ida-Viru County
(Postimees)
“… due to the unstable situation at the border.”
https://news.postimees.ee/8178778/police-banned-drones-near-the-border-in-ida-viru-county
EDF planning to tighten conscripts' Estonian-language skills requirements
(ERR)
“The change, it is argued, would make military training more effective, though potentially rejecting or deferring the service of conscripts on the grounds of language issues came as a surprise to the defense minister.”
Duke of Edinburgh's visit to Estonia
(The Royal Family)
“His Royal Highness, in his capacity as Colonel-in-Chief of The Royal Dragoon Guards, visited troops currently deployed to Estonia and attended a training exercise in Harju County.”
https://www.royal.uk/news-and-activity/2025-01-18/the-duke-of-edinburgh-visits-estonia
The influence of Estonia’s new defence fund will be felt beyond national borders
By Craig Turp-Balazs, Emerging Europe
“Governments across the region are now engaged in a brisk rearmament drive. Defence budgets are rising, and new funds are being channeled into cutting-edge technologies—ranging from drone systems to cyber defence—aimed at preserving both regional stability and NATO’s collective strength. Estonia, with its well-earned reputation as a digital trailblazer, has been quick to seize on the moment. Estonia’s defence fund is worth 100 million euros.”
“Estonian military to begin using force in response to Baltic Sea threats.” - MSN
“Estonia requesting €60 million from EU for new icebreaker.” - ERR
“Tarmo saadetakse 65 aastaselt pensionile, tulekul on uus jäälõhkuja.” - Estonian World Review
“Estonia to receive 6 HIMARS multiple-launch rocket systems from US.” - RBC
“Estonia has taken delivery of six HIMARS from Lockheed Martin.” - DIE
Outgoing US ambassador: ‘We're taking the Estonian sauna with us’
(ERR)
“The U.S. Ambassador to Estonia George P Kent's posting to Tallinn is almost over and he will leave soon after President Donald Trump takes office. In a final interview with ERR, he speaks about the U.S.– Estonia relationship, Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine and what he will miss most about the country.”
https://news.err.ee/1609581193/outgoing-us-ambassador-we-re-taking-an-estonian-sauna-with-us
“Estonians send another sauna to Ukraine.” - ERR
“Tallinna koduomanikud saavad ka tänavu maamaksuvabastuse.” - Postimees
“Eestis on suur osa pensionäridest sunnitud vabaduse nautimise asemel tööl käima.” - Postimees
Around the Baltic Sea
Switching to a ‘defensive democracy’ mode in the Baltics
By Tõnis Saarts, Tallinn University
(The Baltic Times)
“Because of Russian aggression against its neighbours and resurgent imperialism, the Baltic democracies have increasingly acquired very special features, making them "defensive democracies." So far, defensive democracies are known to exist in a very limited number of localities – literally in the "frontline countries" facing existential geopolitical threats by their big and aggressive neighbours or internal enemies. Israel has officially adopted this doctrine since the 1980s and is a prime example of a defensive democracy. Thus, the Baltic States have literally become the new Israels of the Baltic Sea region.”
https://www.baltictimes.com/switching_into_the_defensive_democracy_mode_in_the_baltics/
“Choking Russia’s Shadow Fleet in the Baltic.” - CEPA
“Bomb shelters in Latvia could fit around half a million people.” - LSM+
“Finland's birth rate declines for third consecutive year.” - Yle
“Finland’s 2024 population growth driven by immigration.” - Helsinki Times
“U.S. president to ask NATO allies to raise defense spending to 5%.” - Politico
“NATO’s Mark Rutte: Europe’s defense spending is a problem.” - Politico
“Finland not a primary target of Russian disinformation influence, says government report.” - Yle
“The Finnish government has issued a decree on police cooperation in the border area between Finland and Sweden.” - Press Release
“Former Finnish President Sauli Niinistö has criticised European leaders for avoiding direct discussions with Russia.” - Helsinki Times
How a rickety Arctic railway is rerouting NATO’s war strategy
(The Times)
“The Iron Ore Line through Sweden — the newest member of the alliance — could be a critical transit route for troops in the event of a crisis but is beset by problems. … The 250-mile railway, known as Malmbanan in Swedish, is the conduit for roughly 90 % of the European Union’s iron ore supplies, as well as what is said to be Europe’s largest deposit of rare earth metals.”
—
“Yet the track, which carries about 20,000 trains a year, is decidedly fragile. Last winter two train derailments left a long stretch of the line out of action for 76 days. Analysis by The Times of data from the Swedish transport administration shows that trains on the railway have suffered delays since 2010, largely because of a shortage of capacity and inadequate maintenance. The reduced capacity of the railway has military implications. …”
“Former Swedish Minister to Mediate in Iron Ore Line Matter.” - High North News
“Climate change likely factor in Iron Ore Line derailments.” - Rail Freight
Putin’s Forever War
Vladimir Putin ‘ready for negotiations’ with Trump on Ukraine war
(The Guardian)
“In his first comments since Trump issued threats to inflict economic damage on Russia if it failed to end the war in Ukraine, Putin struck a favourable tone towards the US president. Putin told a Russian state TV journalist: “We believe the current president’s statements about his readiness to work together. We are always open to this and ready for negotiations. It would be better for us to meet, based on the realities of today, to talk calmly.”
‘Russia isn’t the USSR, Ukraine isn’t Finland, and Putin isn’t Stalin’
By Paul Goble
“In talks about what kind of a deal Russia and the West might make about Ukraine, many are looking back to Finland and other conflicts where settlements were reached between Moscow and the West in Soviet times. But that is a mistake, Sergey Shelin argues. The situation is too dissimilar …”
https://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.com/2025/01/russia-isnt-ussr-ukraine-isnt-finland.html
Sources: Putin now considers main aims of war in Ukraine to have been achieved
(Novaya Gazeta)
“Last year saw Russia make its most significant territorial gains since the first days of the invasion in 2022, and it now controls almost a fifth of Ukrainian territory. One source stressed the importance of the land bridge that has been created between mainland Russia and annexed Crimea by occupied regions of Ukraine, as well as Russia having successfully weakened the Armed Forces of Ukraine as a whole. The same source said that Putin also recognised “the strain the war is putting on the economy”, citing problems including the impact of high interest rates on both industry and the civilian economy.”
—
“Two other sources said the high interest rates imposed to keep inflation in check combined with labour force shortages have led some in Russia’s ruling elite to support a negotiated end to the war.”
Reportedly, Putin growing concerned by Russia’s economy
(Reuters)
“Russia's economy, driven by exports of oil, gas and minerals, grew robustly over the past two years despite multiple rounds of Western sanctions imposed after its invasion of Ukraine in 2022. But domestic activity has become strained in recent months by labour shortages and high interest rates introduced to tackle inflation, which has accelerated under record military spending. That has contributed to the view within a section of the Russian elite that a negotiated settlement to the war is desirable, according to two of the sources familiar with thinking in the Kremlin. … Putin's frustration was evident at a Kremlin meeting with business leaders the evening of Dec. 16, where he scolded top economic officials, according to two of the sources, who have knowledge of discussions about the economy in the Kremlin and government. One of the sources, who was briefed after the meeting, was told Putin was visibly displeased after hearing private investment was being cut because of the cost of credit.”
“A Russian's shopping cart: annual price increase is shocking.” - Postimees
The Denazify Lie
Russia's Use of Extremist
Narratives Against Ukraine
(Rand Research Paper)
“On February 24, 2022, when Vladimir Putin announced Russia's "special military operation" into Ukraine, he claimed that Ukraine was led by "far-right nationalists and neo-Nazis" and that the purpose of Russia's invasion was to "demilitarize and denazify Ukraine." Russian leaders and propagandists have at once denied the existence of a Ukrainian nation and called for purging or cleansing the Ukrainian territory, in terms that often mirror rhetoric preceding past genocides.”
https://www.rand.org/pubs/research_reports/RRA3450-1.html
The Dangerous Work of Clearing Russia’s Deadly Mines from Ukrainian Lands
(The New Yorker)
“Russian troops have already booby-trapped the country with thousands of mines that will take years to remove.”
“Estonia sends mobile demining camp to Ukraine.” - Välisministeerium
“Putin jätkab sõda hoolimata majandusraskustest.” - Postimees
“Arvamus: Kui Putin arvab, et saab veel välja pressida, siis ta eksib.” - Postimees
Critics Decry Belarus Election
Belarus' Lukashenko is a shoo-in for
his seventh election as president
(The Guardian | BNE | Meduza)
“On Sunday, five names will feature on the ballot in Belarus’s presidential election, but the outcome is a foregone conclusion: Alexander Lukashenko’s 31-year reign is poised to continue in the carefully managed vote, granting the dictator his seventh term in power. … In 2020, accusations of electoral fraud triggered months-long demonstrations, drawing hundreds of thousands of Belarusians to the streets. The authorities detained more than 35,000 people, many of whom were tortured in custody or forced to flee the country.”
—
“Since then, the Lukashenko regime, backed by Vladimir Putin – whom Minsk in turn supports in the war in Ukraine – has intensified its repression of even the smallest acts of dissent, charging critics with extremism and terrorism for actions as minor as leaving critical comments on social media or following so-called extremist Telegram channels. … With Lukashenko’s security services firmly controlling the country, no protests are anticipated this time around.”
—
—
https://meduza.io/en/feature/2025/01/21/the-regime-s-revenge
“Moscow and Minsk Attack Catholicism to Defend Lukashenka and Russian World.” - By Paul Goble - Jamestown Org.
“Number of political prisoners in Belarus continues to grow.” - Novaya Gazeta
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