Former Emir of Qatar Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani dies aged 74

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who passed away at the age of 74, was pivotal in steering Qatar's transformation from a relatively obscure Gulf state into a significant global player in natural gas. He seized power in a bloodless coup in 1996 and, under his leadership, Qatar's economy flourished, largely due to its vast gas reserves. His legacy includes modernizing the nation's infrastructure and international standing, making his death a notable event in both regional and global geopolitics.