The World Economic Forum, an independent international organization committed to improving the state of the world, has named Prime Minister Juhan Parts a Young Global Leader. The Forum of Young Global Leaders will by 2009 unite 1,111 outstanding people under age 40 "who are internationally prominent and destined for future greatness." Other Estonians selected to join the forum were head of Hansabank Group Indrek Neivelt and Foreign Affairs Minister Kristiina Ojuland.
People whose property suffered from flood damage in Parnu and Haapsalu may have to spend 30 percent of the property's residual value on restoration, according to construction and mechanical experts at Tallinn's Technical University. The experts pointed out that seawater is extremely damaging to car electrical systems and interior decor.
Estonia will continue cooperating with the Ukrainian public sector, Ojuland said on Jan. 10. Cooperation will focus mostly on training Ukrainian public servants in Estonia. She said Estonia would support free-market development in Ukraine and would help the country join the WTO, allowing the signature of a free trade agreement between Ukraine and the EU.
Justice Minister Ken-Marti Vaher announced a major change in the structure of the country's legal environment by naming Juri Pihl justice chancellor. Pihl previously held the position of state prosecutor, which is to be filled by 29-year-old Norman Aas, currently a prosecutor in the State Prosecutor's Office.
Eight people were injured in a grenade explosion near a bar in Lasnamae, a residential district of Tallinn, on Jan. 9. Police detained 20-year-old Roman, suspected of throwing a hand grenade into a group of young men with whom he had a row. Roman and seven people were injured, one of whom was hospitalized with a serious head injury.
A 31-year-old Tartu resident identified as Janek robbed a casino in his hometown on Jan.9. Janek threatened the cashier with a knife and took about 69,000 kroons (4,400 euros) from the casino's cash box. The man was arrested the same day. According to police, Janek suffered from gambling addiction.
