Qatar STEM & heritage push: Qatar National Library kicks off its summer programme with STEM exploration, creative arts, literacy and professional development, plus a July 1 webinar on emergency grants for cultural heritage and a six-week Summer Reading Challenge with Kutubee. Education leadership: The Next Generation School (TNG) marks its A-Level Class of 2026 graduation, spotlighting student research and youth leadership projects. Regional water security: GCC electricity and water ministers discuss a feasibility study for a Gulf water interconnection network to improve emergency preparedness and keep desalinated supply flowing during crises. Cashless momentum: BNPL is gaining traction in Qatar as a regulated, digital payments tool that complements cards and supports the shift to a cashless economy. Rare earths investment: Qatar-backed Cascade Natural Resources appoints Dr. Badr Al Hajri to its board as it backs a $165m rare earth push tied to Pensana’s Longonjo project. AI supply chain geopolitics: The EU joins the US-led “Pax Silica” initiative to reduce reliance on China for rare earth minerals powering AI and semiconductor supply chains. World Cup tech spotlight: FIFA’s 2026 tournament is rolling out AI-powered broadcast and fan-tech, with Lenovo’s Technology Command Center in Miami at the center of operations. Hormuz talks in Doha: US and Iran negotiations over Strait of Hormuz security continue amid conflicting signals on meeting formats, with Qatar hosting the next steps.