Iceland & Arctic Security: EU leaders meeting in Rovaniemi pushed for a stronger, more coordinated Arctic role, citing Russia’s military build-up and growing China interest, with calls for better monitoring, digital links, transport, and protection of critical infrastructure. Nordic Defence Tech: Telenor subsidiary KNL secured a Danish Armed Forces framework deal for secure HF communications under NORDEFCO, joining Iceland, Norway, Finland and Sweden in the procurement push. Geothermal & Carbon Capture: Carbfix says it hit 99.6% capture of CO2 and H2S from an Iceland geothermal plant, underscoring Iceland’s role in industrial carbon removal. Space Science (Iceland ties): NASA astronaut candidates trained in Iceland for geology work tied to Artemis lunar missions. Solar in Polar Regions: New research argues solar PV can matter in the Arctic thanks to long summer daylight, potentially supporting e-fuels plans alongside wind. Mosquito Watch in Iceland: Rare mosquito sightings have put Iceland on alert, challenging the long-held claim that the island has no mosquitoes. EU–Canada Tech/Trade Talks: Mark Carney is advancing a “unique alliance” with the EU, exploring deep cooperation without EU membership. AI in Public Services: A Global Government Finance Summit in Dublin highlighted how ministries are integrating AI into administration amid geopolitical strain. EU–WTO AI & Trade: El Salvador showcased AI progress at WTO’s World Trade and Tech Day, including AI for trade facilitation and logistics.