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

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who ruled Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and transformed the energy-rich nation into a global economic and political power, died Sunday at age 74, the Amiri Diwan announced. During his 18-year reign, Qatar became the world's largest liquefied natural gas exporter, launched Al Jazeera in 1996, adopted its first permanent constitution in 2004, and hosted the 2022 FIFA World Cup. He handed power to his son Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in 2013 in a rare Gulf Arab abdication, prompting condolences from leaders including Egypt's el-Sisi and Pakistan's Zardari.