Citizens turned out in large numbers to bid farewell to HE Abdullah bin Hamad al-Attiyah as he was laid to rest in Al Kharaitiyat Cemetery, northern Doha.He passed away on Wednesday in London, after a distinguished public service career spanning more than five decades, leaving behind a legacy widely recognised for shaping Qatar’s modern energy sector and its international diplomatic standing.Born in Qatar on December 5, 1952, Al Attiyah began his professional journey in 1972 at the Ministry of Finance and Petroleum. Early in his career, he served from 1973 to 1986 as Head of International and Public Relations at the ministry, building foundational experience in international energy relations and government administration.Between 1986 and 1989, he served as Director of the Office of the Ministry of Interior, before becoming Acting Minister of Finance and Petroleum from 1989 to 1992. In 1992, he was appointed Minister of Energy and Industry, as well as Chief Executive and Managing Director of Qatar Petroleum, marking a pivotal stage in his leadership of Qatar’s energy development.His influence extended far beyond national borders. In 1993, he served as President of OPEC, contributing to key decisions on oil production coordination among member states. He also held membership in OPEC’s production quota compliance committee. Throughout his career, he played a central role in advancing Qatar’s position within global energy markets.Al-Attiyah’s international leadership continued with his election in 2006 as President of the United Nations Commission on Sustainable Development. In 2012, he chaired the 18th United Nations Climate Change Conference (COP18) in Doha, a landmark event that produced the “Doha Gateway” outcomes, including the extension of the Kyoto Protocol and important commitments on climate finance and support for developing countries. The conference also helped establish a roadmap toward the Paris Agreement adopted in 2015.In 2009, he was elected President of the Gas Exporting Countries Forum (GECF), where he contributed to strengthening the organisation and securing Doha as its permanent headquarters. He also served as Acting Secretary-General of the forum during its transitional period.Domestically, he was appointed Deputy Prime Minister in 2003 and later Deputy Prime Minister in 2007. In 2011, he became President of the Amiri Diwan, and subsequently held key positions including Head of the Administrative Control and Transparency Authority and Chairman of the State Planning Committee. His final role was Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the Al Attiyah Foundation.Over the course of his career, he received numerous honours, including Qatar’s Independence Collar awarded by the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani, the Order of Orange-Nassau from The Netherlands, and Japan’s Order of the Rising Sun. He also received honourary doctorates from Texas A&M University and the University of Tor Vergata in Italy, in recognition of his contributions to governance, transparency, and global energy policy.

US President Donald Trump said yesterday he would soon decide on a proposed deal to extend the ceasefire with Iran, though the two countries still appeared to differ on significant issues that have been central to the conflict. Trump said last morning that he would meet ⁠in a secure White House room to make a “final determination” on the proposal, which would extend an early-April truce for another 60 days, giving negotiators time to forge a permanent end to the war. Several hours later, the White House said the meeting had concluded but did not provide any more information. The New York Times reported the decision had been postponed after a tow-hour meeting.A senior Iranian source likewise told Reuters an agreement was close but had not yet been approved. However Trump also said Iran would have to end its chokehold on the Strait of Hormuz and dismantle its capacity to make a nuclear weapon – two conditions that Tehran has not agreed to. “Iran must agree that they will never have a Nuclear Weapon or Bomb. The Hormuz Strait must be immediately open, no tolls, for unrestricted shipping traffic, in both directions,” Trump said, adding that nuclear material would be “unearthed” by the US Iran’s semi-official Fars news agency, citing sources, said Trump’s comments were an “attempt to portray a fabricated victory.” To Page 23 The senior Iranian source, ⁠speaking on condition of anonymity, said the potential deal does not include any nuclear-related issues, while Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said on state TV that the management of the strait must be decided by Iran and Oman. The semi-official Fars news agency, citing sources, said the strait would be reopened under Tehran’s conditions after the US lifts its blockade on Iranian ships.Fars said there was agreement to release $12bn of Iran’s frozen assets. Trump said no money would be exchanged “until further notice” — a possible reference to Iran’s demands for toll payments in the strait, war damage reparations or a release of frozen Iranian assets.Oil prices fell and stocks rose yesterday on news of the potential deal. Trump is under pressure to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and get US gasoline prices down ahead of the November congressional elections, as voters show increasing frustration over ⁠rising prices. At the same time, he faces a potential backlash from Iran hawks in his own party ⁠over any concessions to Tehran. The war ⁠launched by the US and Israel on February 28 has killed thousands of people, mainly in Iran and Lebanon, and caused global economic pain by pushing up energy prices due to Iran’s effective closure of the Strait of Hormuz. In his post on Truth Social, Trump said mines would be removed from the strait and ships trapped there may start to go home: “Say HELLO to your wives, husbands, parents, and families from me, your favorite President!”

Doha sweltered under one of its hottest days of the year yesterday as temperatures climbed to 47°C, underscoring forecasts of an intensifying heat spell across Qatar.Meteorological data showed temperatures rising steadily through the morning before peaking during the afternoon, pushing conditions well above the seasonal average for late May. The reading came amid forecast that much of the country would experience a hotter-than-usual weekend, with inland and southern areas likely to register even higher temperatures.The surge in mercury levels marks a sharp departure from the typical late-May maximum of around 39-40°C in the capital, highlighting the early arrival of summer-like conditions. Strong solar radiation and generally dry weather further heightened heat stress levels, making outdoor conditions particularly challenging during peak daylight hours.Forecasters had earlier predicted that temperatures would climb into the mid-to-upper 40s by the end of the week, a projection borne out by yesterday's peak reading. The weather pattern is expected to persist over the coming days, with residents advised to limit prolonged exposure to direct sunlight, particularly during midday and afternoon hours.