NATO Tensions: CIA chief John Ratcliffe’s surprise Moscow visit is fueling fears Russia may be preparing a limited move to test NATO’s Article 5—especially toward the Baltic states—while US leaders publicly downplay the threat. Baltic Hybrid Security: Germany and other Baltic Sea countries are stepping up coordination as hybrid warfare grows more sophisticated, from drones and GPS disruption to attacks on undersea cables. Autonomous Driving in Europe: Waymo is expanding to Munich, while a Dutch car-sharing firm is already offering Tesla Full Self-Driving (Supervised) by the hour—turning non-owners into real-world testers. Health & Data Science: Estonia’s Microbiome cohort study links common medications to long-lasting gut microbiome changes, even years after stopping. Smart Cities: Tallinn University of Technology is trialing AI sensors on buses to spot damaged or hard-to-see traffic signs faster than manual checks. Research Funding Pressure: Estonia’s Rectors’ Conference warns EU structural funding plans could cut research support dramatically—potentially a sevenfold drop. Biotech for Waste-to-Value: Äio and TFTAK secured €2.6M to build a digital biomanufacturing platform for microbial oils from food and wood waste. Public Safety & Work Health: A new study finds many Estonian and Latvian rescue workers are overweight and sleep-deprived, with back pain common. Energy & Industry: Enefit opened a new oil shale plant in Auvere, and Estonia’s beekeepers face pressure from honey adulteration and cheaper substitutes.