Eesti in brief - 2007-08-08

  • 2007-08-08
A farm in south Estonia culled more than 5,000 hens after health authorities discovered an outbreak of Newcastle disease. A three-kilometer quarantine was placed around the farm following the diagnosis, which was made after a random blood test showed strains of the avian illness. The farm will be disinfected before bird stock is allowed to return.

A premature baby born to an Estonian mother on holiday in Turkey was brought to Tallinn on a charter flight on Aug. 6. The baby boy, named Ralf, was discharged from a Turkish hospital earlier than expected because of his strengthening condition. He remains in an intensive care unit in the Tallinn Children's Hospital. He was born by caesarian section in early July, 24 weeks into the pregnancy.

A member of parliament has suggested extending Estonia's e-voting system to mobile phones. Kristiina Ojuland, deputy speaker of the Reform party, said people should be able to vote via SMS in the 2009 local elections. She believes the system could be made secure, and would attract more people to take part in elections. Ojuland has suggested lawmakers consider the concept during the parliamentary sessions in the fall.

U.S. President George W. Bush has signed a bill from Congress that paves the way for Baltic residents to enjoy visa-free travel. Bush, who was always expected to support the bill, signed it into law on Friday Aug. 3. It now rests with the Department of Homeland Security to introduce new scrutiny measures before any visa-free arrangements can begin.