Qatar’s former ruler Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani has died at 74

Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al Thani, who led Qatar from 1995 to 2013 and transformed it into a global diplomatic and media hub, has died at 74. He voluntarily transferred power to his son Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in 2013 and was known for founding Al Jazeera and positioning Qatar as a key international player.