AI Literacy & Critical Thinking: Estonia’s AI Leap programme is highlighted as a model for teaching not just AI use, but real questioning and oversight—aiming to reduce legal, reputational, and security risks from shallow “AI-first” habits. Startup Policy & Funding: The EU’s first European Startup and Scaleup Scoreboard links pro-startup regulation to stronger scaleup performance; Estonia stands out for digital infrastructure and early-stage funding. NATO Innovation in Estonia: NATO’s DIANA accelerator awarded prototype contracts to five vendors, including Estonia’s Spacedrip, pushing faster counter-drone and readiness-focused tech into potential adoption. Tesla FSD Approved in Estonia: Estonia’s transport authority cleared Tesla’s FSD Supervised for local roads after accepting a Netherlands type approval, with rollout expected soon. Energy Investment: Sunly plans a €100m hybrid solar-wind-battery park in northern Latvia, with Estonia-linked regional renewables momentum and a Rolls-Royce storage partnership expected. EU Clean-Tech Money: The Innovation Fund’s net-zero technologies call drew €17.5bn in requests for €2.9bn available, showing heavy demand for decarbonisation projects. Romania Drone Strike & Security Fallout: Russian drones hit an apartment block in Galați, injuring two and triggering EU/NATO condemnation; the incident also fuels debate on counter-drone readiness and escalation risk. EU Budget Negotiations: EU capitals are gearing up for the next Multiannual Financial Framework fight, with June drafts and December summit talks shaping the spending direction. Tallinn-Helsinki Twin Cities: Mayors approved a 2026–2029 action plan focused on growth, security resilience, and creative industries, including startup ecosystem and crisis-preparedness cooperation.