Eesti in brief - 2009-10-01

  • 2009-10-01
The Tallinn city government has invited the worst hit low-income wage-earners to submit applications for wood and potato rations to help them survive the winter. According to municipal officials, initially 200 families will be given two cubic meters of wood, and around 2,000 families will receive 40 kilograms of potatoes. Those who earn less than the minimum wage in Estonia, which is about 4,350 kroons (278 euros) per month, will be allowed to apply for the program. Struggling families can submit applications until Sept. 30, to have the food and wood supplies delivered in October and November, reports news portal Postimees.ee. The program is expected to cost City Hall 500,000 kroons.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves, accompanied by his wife Evelin, participated in the 64th session of the United Nations General Assembly on Sept. 25, where the Estonian head of state gave a speech explaining Estonia's view of the main problems facing global politics today. President Ilves met with the heads of state of Pakistan, Turkmenistan and New Zealand during the visit to discuss bilateral relations as well as security and economic issues. The President and Mrs. Ilves attended the reception held by United States President Barack Obama and Mrs. Obama for the heads of states and their spouses who participated in the United Nations General Assembly event. Evelin Ilves took part in a high-level anti-AIDS international forum taking place within the framework of the General Assembly, and met with specialists from New York City's municipality to promote healthy eating habits and exercise.