US-Iran Diplomacy: Qatar and Pakistan say the first round of US-Iran peace talks in Switzerland ended with “encouraging progress,” including a roadmap to a final deal within 60 days and a communication line to support safer Strait of Hormuz shipping—helping ease oil prices and lift risk sentiment. Qatar Tech & Language Access: Doha Historical Dictionary launches an automated text-to-speech feature so users can listen to entries, definitions and historical citations, boosting accessibility for learners and researchers. AI Chipmaking Funding: Nearfield Instruments, a Netherlands semiconductor metrology firm, raised $380M at a $1.6B valuation, with Qatar Investment Authority joining the round to expand AI chip production support. Qatar Skills Pipeline: Qatar expands its Government Domestic Scholarship Programme with higher stipends for priority fields like engineering, computer science and health sciences to grow a local talent pipeline. Semiconductor/Markets Watch: Bitcoin stays near $64K as crypto tracks mixed risk assets despite deal optimism; broader markets remain cautious ahead of key inflation data. Energy Disruption Risk: Strait of Hormuz traffic drops again after Iran closes the waterway, keeping traders focused on shipping and crude volatility. Qatar Security Incident: A blast at Ras Laffan injured dozens and left 18 missing, underscoring ongoing infrastructure risks.