On Sunday, August 9, 2020, presidential elections in Belarus took place.

During the electoral campaign, the peaceful mobilization of a significant number of citizens has been met by the Lukashenka regime's use of violence and detentions of protestors, their supporters, observers, media representatives, and opposition candidates.

Unfortunately, during the last 24 hours, the situation has only escalated further, as has been widely reported by eye-witnesses and media.

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Published: August 16 2020

Greetings from Mimi Daitz, New York

Veljo Tormis and Mimi Daitz at the Estonian Radio on 1/17/1994

Mimi Daitz, the author of the book “Veljo Tormis. Ancient Song Recovered” wrote on August 7, 2020:

Greetings from New York City on this 90th anniversary of Veljo Tormis’ birthday.

Estonians honor Tormis for his extraordinary music, but also for the special role he played in bringing back to this nation its ancient cultural heritage.

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Published: August 16 2020

Renee Meriste

I am always right is the message we hear globally from political leaders, business people, healers, also couples at home, almost everyone says it.

The world has adopted the mentality “I am always right”, which is the biggest threat to humanity but sadly comes from a background of strong dictatorship.

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Published: August 16 2020

Minister of Foreign Affairs Urmas Reinsalu (Isamaa) made a speech Wednesday at an open high-level virtual sitting of the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), addressing the pandemic and the challenges of sustaining peace, in which he raised the issue of the post-election demonstrations in Belarus.

Reinsalu said: "From the outset, please allow me to say few words about the very worrying situation in Belarus.

The presidential elections in Belarus on Sunday cannot be considered free, fair and democratic.

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Published: August 16 2020

Travelers arriving in Helsinki from coronavirus high-risk countries will be tested going forward, and while the Finnish Border Guard has considered testing Estonians, the country is considered a safe place of origin currently.

Travelers going to Finland from Estonia, however, need not worry.

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Published: August 16 2020

The Central and East European Coalition (CEEC) sent a letter on July 15th to President Trump expressing concerns about his proposal to withdraw approximately 9000 U.S. servicemembers stationed in Germany.

Copies were also sent to the Secretary of Defense, the Secretary of State, and the chairmen and ranking members of the Senate and House Armed Services Committees.

The letter was drafted and signed by Estonian American National Council (EANC) Washington, DC Director, Karin Shuey.

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Published: August 08 2020

While the Lakewood Eesti Mängud organized each summer by Spordiliit USA was cancelled this year, 20 golfers nonetheless gathered for a competition at Lakewood Country Club.

The golf tournament served to keep alive the 67-year-old string of meeting up at Lakewood to celebrate ESTO sport, friendships, and culture.

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Published: August 08 2020

Composer Veljo Tormis' Virtual Centre to Open

August 7, 2020 marks the 90th anniversary of the birth of the late Veljo Tormis, one of the most unique and renown Estonian choral composers and will be celebrated worldwide with the opening of the Veljo Tormis Virtual Centre (https://veljotormis.com/en/). "

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Published: August 08 2020