Swimmer Merle Liivand Sets New World Record
In celebration of Estonia’s Restoration of Independence Day on August 20, Merle Liivand swam 20 kilometers in six-hours in Florida without using her hands and relying only on her “mermaid tail”.
The result is yet another Guinness World Record.
The swimmer is dedicated to the cause of cleaning up the world’s oceans and reminding people of the importance of having good swimming skills.
Six Candidates for Estonian Newspapers Abroad Support Program
August 24 at 3 pm was the deadline for applications for the first ever support program aimed at Estonian newspapers abroad initiated by the National Foundation of Civil Society (Kodanikuühiskonna Sihtkapital).
Vaba Eesti Sõna, one of two expatriate Estonian weekly newspapers in the world, also submitted its application.
President Kaljulaid’s Candidacy for OECD Secretary General May Be Conflict of Interest
Journalists Anvar Samost and Toomas Sildam (President Ilves’ former press adviser) discussed on Vikerradio national radio whether President Kersti Kaljulaid’s running for the position of Secretary General of the intergovernmental body the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) before the end of her term in office as president should be considered a conflict of interest.
Restoration of Independence “Stone of Gratitude” Goes to Scientific Community
At the reception dedicated to the 29th anniversary of the restoration of independence in Kadriorg on August 20, President Kersti Kaljulaid presented the stone for outstanding effort in fighting for, defending, and preserving our freedom to Estonia’s scientific community.
The award was accepted by the President of the Estonian Academy of Sciences Tarmo Soomere and President of the Estonian Academy of Young Scientists Mario Kadastik.