The Tipperary Peace Award, established in 1984 to promote peace and humanitarian work, has previously been awarded to notable global figures such as Nelson Mandela and Bill Clinton. Qatar received the honor for its decisive interventions in international peace efforts.

“This is not a personal achievement,” Sheikh Mohammed stated during the award ceremony. “I accept this on behalf of the people and leadership of Qatar.” Under the leadership of Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Qatar has become a nation that does not surrender in the face of challenges. The Emir is seen as a role model for the world — treating all people in the region and the poor across the globe as his own children, grieving every life lost.

Qatar believes that peace is a legacy to be protected. Many have questioned the country’s mediation efforts from Gaza to Afghanistan, and from Lebanon to Ukraine. But what Qatar is doing goes beyond mediation — it is actively participating in transforming the world. The award comes shortly after Qatar was subjected to a missile attack, but the Prime Minister emphasized that Qatar responded not from weakness but from strength. That moment was not about retaliation, but about wisdom and restraint.

He added that Qatar prioritizes the region’s stability and the well-being of its people over displays of power or loud rhetoric. Concluding his speech, the Prime Minister delivered a message to future generations:
“Do not consider peace a sign of weakness. It is stronger than war, more powerful than hate, and louder than violence.”

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In a statement, the ministry acknowledged the swift and responsible response of both citizens and residents who, despite the situation, ensured continuity in reaching workplaces and essential service centres.

“This decision comes as a gesture of appreciation for the public’s urgent movement to fulfill national and professional responsibilities under extraordinary conditions,” the ministry said.

Officials clarified that this is a one-time exemption, applicable exclusively to violations committed on June 23, and does not set a precedent for future incidents. The ministry also emphasized the importance of continued compliance with traffic laws and regulations, urging motorists to respect the rights and safety of all road users.

Regional Escalation: Iran Launches Missiles at US Base in Qatar

The waiver announcement came on the heels of a major regional security incident. On Monday, Iran launched missile strikes targeting the US Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, in retaliation for recent American attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Qatari authorities confirmed that the country’s air defence systems successfully intercepted the missiles aimed at the base, which hosts the largest US military presence in the Middle East.

Iran’s Supreme National Security Council stated that the attack was a response to the US airstrikes on Iran’s key nuclear sites, including an underground uranium enrichment facility at Fordow, hit by American bunker-buster bombs just a day earlier.

Following the Iranian strike, Qatar, Bahrain, and Kuwait temporarily closed their airspaces, and flight operations in Dubai were also disrupted. The US and UK embassies in the Gulf region advised their citizens to shelter in place amid growing instability.

Iran: Attack was ‘Self-Defence’

Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi clarified on Tuesday that the missile strike was not an act of aggression against Qatar, but rather a legitimate act of self-defence in accordance with international law.

“The missile operation targeting Al Udeid base was carried out within the framework of Iran’s right to self-defence,” Araghchi said during a phone call with Qatari Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani.

While Qatar has called for restraint from all parties, the incident has raised concerns about the escalation of conflict in the Gulf region, with diplomatic and aviation implications continuing to unfold.

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Qatar emphasized that it shares a decades-long relationship with the United States, which contributes positively to regional security. The country urged Iran to respect Qatar’s policies and maintain peaceful and friendly ties. Qatar also stated that Gulf nations must lead efforts to ensure peace in the region.

In response to the attack, Qatar summoned the Iranian ambassador and formally lodged a protest. Letters were also sent to the UN Security Council and the UN Secretary-General. The missile strike on the Al Udeid airbase occurred around 7:30 p.m. Qatar time, according to official reports. Qatar confirmed that the attack had been intercepted.

The missile strike was reportedly Iran’s retaliation for American attacks on its nuclear sites. Following an advance warning, Qatar closed its airspace around 6:45 p.m., and Iran launched its attack within 45 minutes. Loud explosions were heard across residential areas in Doha, including Al Wakrah, Ain Khalid, and the Industrial Area.

Iran launched 19 missiles in total, all of which were successfully intercepted, according to the Qatari Ministry of Defense. Although one missile did land within the Al Udeid airbase, there were no casualties or injuries. Since the airbase had been evacuated in advance, the attack caused no human harm.

Qatar strongly condemned the attack and reiterated that diplomatic dialogue is the path to resolving conflicts. Iran, meanwhile, responded by stating the attack was not aimed at Qatar, a friendly nation, but was a response directed at the United States.

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Under the new rule, outdoor work will be prohibited from 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM daily. The ministry stated that working during peak daylight hours could lead to serious health issues, including heatstroke and dehydration, hence the need for strict preventive measures.

This annual measure, particularly relevant to sectors like construction, mandates that all companies ensure workers are given adequate rest during the designated hours. The Ministry will also conduct inspections to ensure compliance, and action will be taken against any companies found violating the rule.

Additionally, the Ministry of Labour, in collaboration with the health authorities, is conducting awareness campaigns to educate both employers and employees about the dangers of extreme heat and the importance of taking proper precautions. These include providing shaded rest areas and access to water.

Although the ministry has not yet announced how long the midday work ban will remain in effect this year, in previous years, the rule typically lasted until mid-September. The policy is expected to benefit thousands of workers, especially during the peak summer months of June, July, and August, when temperatures in Qatar and other Gulf regions soar.

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Doha : Under the high patronage of His Highness Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani, Amir of the State of Qatar, the fifth edition of the Qatar Economic Forum, Powered by Bloomberg will take place from May 20 to 22 in Doha. Organized in collaboration with Media City Qatar, the forum will gather over 2,500 influential leaders from government, business, and finance to discuss global economic transformation under the theme “The Road to 2030: Transforming the Global Economy.”

The three-day event will feature keynote addresses, plenary sessions, focused discussions, high-level meetings, MoU signings, and cultural engagements. The agenda will explore topics including Geopolitics, Global Trade, Energy Security, Technological Disruption, Business Outlook, and Sports & Entertainment.

Notable Speakers

Over 120 high-profile figures are expected to participate, including:

• H.E. Sheikh Bandar bin Mohammed bin Saoud Al-Thani, Governor, Qatar Central Bank
• H.E. Ali bin Ahmed Al-Kuwari, Minister of Finance, Qatar
• H.E. Faisal F. Alibrahim, Minister of Economy & Planning, Saudi Arabia
• H.E. Mehmet Şimşek, Minister of Finance, Turkey
• Elon Musk (virtual), CEO, Tesla and SpaceX
• Howard Marks, Co-Chairman, Oaktree Capital
• Steven T. Mnuchin, Former U.S. Treasury Secretary
• Jenny Johnson, CEO, Franklin Templeton
• Tony O. Elumelu, Group Chair, Heirs Holdings
• Donald Trump Jr., Executive VP, Trump Organization
• Yanis Varoufakis, Former Finance Minister, Greece
• Ted Leonsis, CEO, Monumental Sports & Entertainment

Additional speakers include global executives from ConocoPhillips, Blackstone, JPMorgan, DBS Bank, BitOasis, CapitaLand, Agility, and Multiply Group.

Forum Vision

H.E. Sheikh Dr. Abdulla bin Ali Al Thani, Chairman of Media City Qatar and the forum’s organizing committee, said:

“At a time of increasing global fragmentation, the Qatar Economic Forum provides a vital platform for meaningful dialogue and collaboration. Together with Bloomberg Media, we aim to foster shared understanding and progress.”

Karen Saltser, CEO of Bloomberg Media, added:

“The forum is not just a regional platform—it is a global stage where economic visionaries shape strategies for the future. We’re proud to highlight the Gulf’s rising influence in the global economic landscape.”

Key Highlights

• Bloomberg will unveil its inaugural Africa Startups to Watch list at the forum.
• The event will be broadcast live on Bloomberg TV, Bloomberg Terminal, and Bloomberg.com.
• Official partners include Qatar Ministry of Commerce and Industry and Media City Qatar.
• Sponsors range from Qatar Investment Authority, QNB, and QRDI Council, to Qatar Airways, Ooredoo, and Visit Qatar.

For registration and more details, visit: www.QatarEconomicForum.com

Follow the event on X, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube for live updates.

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The seats feature fully customisable Quad Suites, creating a ‘social space in the sky’ for groups of four and window aisle Companion Suites.
The airline said all suites have 4K OLED manoeuvrable in-flight entertainment screens that can be moved to connect the spacious and private suites.

The seats provide ambient lighting, privacy controls, the ‘Make My Bed’ button for the 5-star Qatar Airways turn-down service, and more. The Quad and Companion Suites have increased dining space and taller digitally controlled privacy dividers.
The “Qsuite Next Gen” is expected to debut on Qatar Airways’ upcoming Boeing 777-9 aircraft fleet, with the first deliveries anticipated around late 2025 or early 2026. It will also be installed on future Airbus A350-1000 deliveries starting in 2026.

In other news about the airline, Qatar Airways is increasing its flights between Doha and Toronto, with plans to offer daily connections by October 2025. This expansion follows the launch of a new Toronto service in December 2024. The airline will resume flights to Malta with four weekly services starting from July 2 and has resumed three weekly flights to Damascus, Syria, starting January 7.

The airline has also extended its principal partnership with the Paris Saint-Germain football club until 2028.

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Last year, the state-owned airline posted a 39 per cent jump in annual net profit to a record 6.1 billion Qatari riyals ($1.67 billion). Revenue grew by 6 per cent to 81 billion riyals in the year ended March 31 2024, the government-owned airline had reported.

Al-Meer’s comments about profitability followed after the airline CEO officially announced the expansion of Qatar Airways’ home base in Doha – Hamad International Airport – with two new concourses – D and E.

New concourses to boost profit
The expansion has boosted the airport’s annual passenger capacity to 65 million. The new building now covers 842,000 square metres – a 14 per cent increase. The total number of boarding gates reached 62, following the addition of 17 new gates, a 40 per cent increase.

This achievement marks the final phase of the airport’s transformation journey, which began in 2022 with the opening of ‘Orchard,’ a 6,000-square-meter indoor tropical garden.
Al-Meer did not disclose specific budget details for DOH’s latest expansion project. However, he said. “The expansion costs are a confidential matter. While it is expected to increase the operating costs just like any associated with a larger terminal, I can reassure you that the expansion would add value and increase annual net profit.”

Airport authorities also said that the expansion has created numerous job opportunities, boosting employment in the aviation and hospitality sectors, without providing any numbers.

Will Qatar Airways IPO?
Al-Meer said this matter is under review by the Qatar Investment Authority and other government entities regarding privatisation and a potential IPO. If any decisions are made, they will be announced in due course.
GCC airlines, including Etihad Airways and flynas, are increasingly considering IPOs to capitalise on the resurgence of international travel.

Qatar Airways, however, remains active in strategic investments. The airline recently agreed to acquire a 25 per cent stake in Virgin Australia from Bain Capital. This acquisition also positions Qatar Airways as a cornerstone investor ahead of Virgin Australia’s anticipated IPO, strengthening its influence in the Australasian market. ​

New acquisitions?
When asked if there were any new acquisition plans for the airline in the pipeline, “We are very close with our equity investment in Rwanda Air, which is a good addition to our network. After Rwanda Air, we don’t have anything planned yet.”

Last year, Qatar Airways Group also acquired a 25 per cent stake in Southern Africa’s independent regional carrier, Airlink.
Regarding GCC airline profitability and potential mergers, like those of European carriers, Al-Meer stated that Qatar Airways has no plans for a merger. “Unlike European carriers, which often merge to avoid bankruptcy, Qatar Airways remains financially strong and independent,” he added.

Al-Meer also said that the Chinese market has been a key focus for Qatar Airways, with load factors exceeding 88–89 per cent. “Flights to and from China remain fully booked, generating significant revenue,” he stated.

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The state-owned carrier will add one more daily flight to Damascus in June, Chief Commercial Officer Thierry Antinori said. The airline uses an Airbus SE A330 wide-body jet on the route and the flight operates at a 90% occupancy rate, he said.
Qatar Airways was one of the first international carriers to resume flights to the Syrian capital in January after the fall of Bashar Al-Assad’s regime. Most airlines stopped flying to Damascus at the start of the last decade after demonstrations escalated into a full civil war. The carrier was also of the first to relaunch flights to Beirut after a cease fire was reached between Israel and Lebanon in November.

“Beirut reopening is good for Africa business and Brazil, because you have some Lebanese community in Ivory Coast, in West Africa, in Brazil, so as a global connector with diaspora all around the world, it’s positive,” Antinori said.

On Tuesday, Qatar Airways announced a third daily flight from Doha to Berlin to meet growing demand on a route that the airline dominates amid the absence of regional rival Emirates. Qatar Airways now flies to five destinations in Germany, including Hamburg, which the airline started flights to last year.
Antinori said that other destinations in Europe’s largest economy may also be under consideration in the future, including Stuttgart, which is a key industrial hub in Germany and the home to Mercedes-Benz Group AG and Porsche AG.

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Qatar’s achievements span numerous sectors, including its leadership in liquefied natural gas production and a thriving foreign investment portfolio. The launch of the third National Development Strategy (2024–2030) this year reflects Qatar’s commitment to advancing education, healthcare, trade, and innovation, ensuring its place among developed nations by 2030.

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