FinTech in Qatar: Qatar Central Bank (QCB) has issued its first license for an insurance policy price comparison website to Ammen, bringing the number of QCB-supervised FinTech firms to 16. Public health regulation: Qatar’s Ministry of Public Health bans exosome products via injection, saying no exosome injection is approved for medical or cosmetic use and warning of unproven safety and possible health risks. Payments innovation: QIIB and Visa Consulting & Analytics (VCA) announced a strategic collaboration to boost QIIB’s payments growth and improve customer engagement across card portfolios. Cyber readiness: SANS Institute launched the Falcon 180 Mission, a regional cybersecurity training pathway for professionals across the UAE, Qatar, Oman, Türkiye and Africa. Environment & science: Qatar joined an IAEA technical meeting in Vienna on monitoring marine plastic pollution, focusing on microplastics methods and better monitoring cooperation. Workplace safety: Qatar’s Ministry of Labour ran heat-stress prevention seminars with private firms to reduce heat-related injuries and illnesses. Local community: The Ministry of Awqaf inaugurated the Hamad Issa Al Hassan Al Mohannadi Mosque in Al Dhakhira, supporting mosque services as areas grow. Global tech-business: Ooredoo and Samsung Gulf Electronics signed a partnership to expand access to Samsung devices through Ooredoo’s retail and sales channels. World Cup tech angle: Kambi says it processed over 100 million bets during the 2026 World Cup, highlighting how AI-driven betting tools are reshaping sports wagering. Geopolitics: The US-Iran conflict escalated again with renewed strikes and mediator ceasefire proposals acknowledged by Iran, keeping Gulf infrastructure and shipping risks in focus.