In the summer months, temperatures regularly hit above 40C, trapping people inside their air-conditioned homes or hotel rooms. But a new system is allowing people to spend time outside in comfort
14:31, 20 Feb 2026Updated 15:20, 20 Feb 2026
The island is part of a man-made archipelago (Image: Press image – gewanisland.com)
While the prospect of a heatwave might sound appealing to Brits right now, many countries are facing rising temperatures accelerated by global heating that are making day-to-day life increasingly complicated.
In countries such as Qatar, the summer months often see temperatures in the mid-40s and above, and according to a BBC documentary, the extreme heat has hit 50C at some points in recent years. For locals and tourists who are lucky enough not to have to work outside, this often means an indoor lifestyle, travelling in air-conditioned cars, and spending days in cooled offices and malls.
But on one of Doha’s man-made islands, visitors can stroll around outside year-round thanks to an artificial ‘forest’ that cools the air. Gewan Island is part of an artificial archipelago that stretches out into the Persian Gulf, connected to the mainland with a series of multi-lane motorway bridges.
In the centre of the island is the crystal walkway, a 450-meter-long promenade with the sort of high-end shops, restaurants, and apartment buildings you’d expect in Doha. Underneath visitors’ feet lie thousands of crystals arranged into artworks that portray polar landscapes and oceans, ironically, also places affected by climate change.
But it’s the manmade ‘forest’ that really grabs visitors’ attention. Giant tree-shaped sculptures have been erected all along the promenade, capped with hexagonal designs decked in more crystals. The tops of these trees have solar panels, which reportedly help to power the area and its outdoor air conditioning.
Along the trunks of the trees, small holes blast out ice-cold air, with the shape of the sculpture designed to trap the cold air underneath. Ten tons of crystals were used in the construction process, and the area is finished off with mini fountains that spray cold water.
Temperatures under the ‘forest’ can be kept at around 21-23C, no doubt a welcome relief during the hottest days of the year. Nearby is Pearl Island, another artificial spot that consists of vast luxury residences, boutiques, and even its own manmade beaches, where tourists stay in sprawling 5-star hotels.
While outdoor air-conditioning might sound bizarre to people from outside the country, it’s not even Doha’s first attraction to crank up the cold air outside.
An article on Time Out Doha lists 10 spots with outdoor air conditioning, which include parks, outdoor walking and jogging tracks, and outdoor dining areas. Oxygen Park, a green spot in the city, has outdoor walkways with air conditioning for chilled walks, and the outdoor mall 21 High Street has vented floors that keep the temperature at 20 °C for shoppers visiting its luxury shops and high-end jewellery stores.
Have a story you want to share? Email us at webtravel@reachplc.com
Ensure our latest stories always appear at the top of your Google Search by making us a Preferred Source. Click here to activate or add us as your Preferred Source in your Google search settings.
Qatar has pledged $1 billion to support the Board of Peace’s mission in Gaza, with Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani backing Donald Trump’s 20-point plan and reaffirming support for Palestinian statehood and Israeli security.
The second round of the Dubai Tennis Championships was hit by fitness issues again as four players, including fifth seed Mirra Andreeva, advanced because of player withdrawals.
Andreeva went through when opponent Daria Kasatkina pulled out before the tie, while ninth seed Belinda Bencic was also handed a walkover when Sara Bejlek withdrew prior to the match.
Paula Badosa retired after losing the first set 6-4 against sixth seed Elina Svitolina, while Ella Seidel withdrew after dropping the first set 6-0 to Jaqueline Cristian.
The withdrawals follow nine dropouts in the first round, which saw seven lucky losers from qualifying fill the main draw.
Meanwhile, the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has announced it is launching “the Tour Architecture Council” to oversee improvements to the women’s game.
In a statement, WTA chair Valerie Camillo says the council has been set up because the “current calendar does not feel sustainable for players given the physical, professional and personal pressures of competing at the highest level”.
Chaired by American world number five Jessica Pegula, the council is set to “develop meaningful improvements to the calendar, commitments and other core elements of the Tour framework”.
Potential changes to the Tour “can be implemented as soon as the 2027 season”.
The council is made up of a number of players, including former world number one Victoria Azarenka, as well as tournament directors and WTA Tour chiefs.
“This is a chance to focus on specific parts of the Tour structure and see what can be addressed in the short-term, while continuing the conversation on longer-term improvements in a dedicated, focused way,” said Pegula.
“The WTA has the opportunity and standing to bring a group like this together and I’m grateful they’re using that power to advance real change for 2027.”
A MAJOR airline has axed over a hundred flights from London Heathrow and Gatwick.
Qatar Airways has made big changes to its spring schedule and has cancelled 131 upcoming flights from its rota.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
Qatar Airways will reduce its upcoming services from London Heathrow and GatwickCredit: AlamyThe airline provides Brits with services to DohaCredit: Alamy
In an exclusive interview with Al Jazeera Arabic, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi says Tehran is ready to reach a deal with the US that allows for peaceful nuclear enrichment, following talks in Oman. He rejects the notion that Washington should be able to dictate what range missiles Iran produces.
Reed, the 2018 Masters champion, started the final round two shots ahead of Jacob Skov Olesen.
The Dane shot a one-under 71 and ended in a tie for third with American Johannes Veerman.
Meanwhile, Reed carded a second consecutive two-under round of 70 to ensure victory, despite Hill hitting an impressive five-under 67 to finish second outright.
“Golf feels good at the minute,” said the 31-year-old Hill.
“I feel like I did a lot of things well and if you put me in that position again I feel like I could convert from there.”
Last month, Reed became the second high-profile American to leave LIV and return to the PGA Tour after Brooks Koepka.
American Koepka is able to play on the PGA Tour straight away after it recently introduced a new returning member programme.
It allows players who have been away from the PGA Tour for at least two years and have won The Players Championship or a major between 2022 and 2025 to play again on the series, with the avenue closing on 2 February.
However, Reed does not meet that criteria and rules dictate he will not be eligible to play on the PGA Tour again until August – a year after his last LIV appearance.
Khaled Meshaal, the head of Hamas abroad, has spoken at the Al Jazeera Forum on the rights of Palestinians to resist occupation. The political leader says the demand of disarmament is unacceptable.
Mustafa Barghouti, secretary-general of the Palestinian National Initiative, said that the steadfastness of Palestinians in Gaza despite genocide, shows ‘the failure of Israel’. Barghouti is at the Al Jazeera Forum, an event focusing on geopolitical shifts in the Middle East.
FAR away from the Venice of Europe, is the ‘Venice of the desert’ with highs of 25C in February.
The Pearl Doha in Qatar is an artificial island that boasts homes, tourist spots and sandy beaches.
Sign up for the Travel newsletter
Thank you!
The Pearl in Doha, Qatar is a artificial island that now features homes and tourist destinationsCredit: AlamyBut in one neighbourhood, it looks just like Venice in ItalyCredit: Alamy
Construction started way back in 2004, with the first residents being welcomed in 2009 and today, the island features a variety of different neighbourhoods, each with their own identity.
The island, which has just under 20 miles of coastline. features 10 districts including the Qanat Quartier, which is often dubbed as the ‘Venice of the desert’ thanks to its canals and pastel-coloured buildings.
Visitors can head on boat rides to discover the pretty canals and a number of arched bridges, like the replica of the Rialto Bridge.
Another tourist-favourite is the Piano Stairs, where you can jump on different stairs to make musical notes.
Or for some proper fun and games head to Megapolis, where you will find virtual reality games, karaoke, bowling and racing simulators.
One recent visitor said: “Qanat Quartier is one of the most beautiful and unique places I’ve visited in Qatar.
“The colorful buildings, quiet canals, and charming bridges give you the feeling of walking through a mini Venice right in the heart of Doha.
“The area is peaceful and perfect for a relaxing walk, especially in the evening when the lights reflect on the water.”
equally popular is the Abraj Quartier, which is known as the gateway to The Pearl Island.
This neighbourhood is home to two towers offering panoramic sea views.
In the Porto Arabia neighbourhood, there is an open-air shopping area that has a French Riviera lifestyle feel.
The shopping area also overlooks Qatar‘s largest and award-winning marina, which is the ideal place to catch a glimpse of the many luxuryyachts moored up.
Along the colourful waterfront, known as La Croisette (just like in Cannes), there is a two-mile promenade where more shops and restaurants can be found.
There are a number of canals with bridges and pastel-coloured housesCredit: Alamy
It is also in Porto Arabia where you will find the Four Seasons Resort and Residences.
The resort features a spa, private beach, two outdoor infinity pools, an indoor lap pool and a kid’s area.
There are plenty of beaches to chose from on The Pearl, with one popular option being Bahriya Beach.
One recent visitor said: “[It] has pristine sandy shores, perfect for lounging and swimming.
“A must visit when in Qatar.”
Another visitor added: “Soft sand that is raked every day to make sure it is well kept and flat.
“The water is also Lovely and no jet ski’s or boat allowed close by so very safe for swimmers and children.
On the beach is also Plt Cafe, where you can grab a flat white for 21 Qatari Riyal (£4.23).
The cafe also serves an array of sandwiches for around 30 Qatari Riyal (£6.04).
The Pearl is home to a number of other neighbourhoods too, including one with a long promenade by the waterCredit: Alamy
The cafe is noted by visitors as having a “wonderful atmosphere” perfect for “short, cosy visits” with views across the beach.
Right next to The Pearl, is Gewan Island, where visitors can explore the Crystal Walk, which is Qatar’s longest climatised outdoor walkway with a temperature of around 22C year-round.
As you walk along the 450-metre walkway, 45 crystal structures light-up.
When you are out and about looking for a bite to eat, you can expect to pay around 300 Qatari Riyal (£60.36) for a mid-range three-course meal for two.
You may have to stick to soft drinks though, as alcohol is only allowed for non-Muslims at licensed hotel bars and restaurants.
Hotel prices vary in Doha depending on the area of the city you stay but, for example, you can find a Premier Inn for £31 a night or stay at the five-star Andaz Doha by Hyatt for £66 a night.
Return flights from London to Doha in April cost from £468, alternatively you could fly from Birmingham from £531, Edinburgh from £608 or Manchester from £615.
If you want to head to the real Venice in Italy, one reporter who recently visited said that the Italian city is better in winter with wine bar tours and Miami-like hotels.
Plus, there is an unusual UK attraction people say is like being in Venice following £19million transformation.
And nearby there is another island with a walkway featuring crystalsCredit: Alamy
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi slammed the double standard allowing Israel to expand its military while other countries in the region are demanded to reduce their defensive capabilities. Araghchi spoke at the Al Jazeera Forum in Doha, a three-day event focusing on geopolitical shifts in the Middle East.
For two decades, global energy demand was static and efficiency gains, economic shifts, and renewable growth created an illusion of control.
The narrative was one of managed transition — a straight line from fossil fuels to a cleaner, perhaps simpler, energy system.
Recommended Stories
list of 4 itemsend of list
Energy companies believe that narrative is over.
Addition, not substitution
It’s unusual to see that many security personnel lining the road to Qatar’s convention centre. Enter LNG 2026, and the vast conference centre in Doha is hosting the people who shape the global energy system. Seated on the same stage were Saad Sherida al-Kaabi of QatarEnergy, Wael Sawan of Shell, Darren Woods of ExxonMobil, Patrick Pouyanne of TotalEnergies, and Ryan Lance of ConocoPhillips — leaders of companies that collectively sit at the centre of global energy supply.
Their estimation: The era of demand is here, and the age of gas is accelerating, not fading.
Everything from artificial intelligence, data centres, electrification and population growth are all pulling the energy system to a new scale. The executives say that demand is rising faster than grids, infrastructure, and policy frameworks can adapt.
From oil to energy
Perhaps that is why the industry is changing how it describes itself. These companies no longer frame their future narrowly like “international oil companies” or oil producers. They now talk about being “international energy companies” – a deliberate shift reflecting a broader ambition: to manage molecules, systems, and supply chains in a world with increasing energy demands.
This undated file photo shows a Qatari liquid natural gas (LNG) tanker ship being loaded up with LNG at Raslaffans Sea Port, northern Qatar [File: AP]
Executives outlined projections that underline how deeply the market is changing. Global LNG demand, currently about 400 million tonnes a year, is expected to reach 600 million tonnes by 2030 and approach 800 million tonnes by 2050, according to the energy executives, and LNG is growing at more than 3 percent annually, making it the fastest-growing fuel among non-renewables, according to their data.
Building for a bigger world
The confidence in Doha was backed by construction on a vast scale. QatarEnergy, under Saad al-Kaabi, is expanding LNG production and assembling a fleet expected to reach about 200 LNG carriers, one of the largest shipping expansions in energy history.
In the United States, ExxonMobil and QatarEnergy are partnering on a new 18 million MMBtu LNG facility, part of a wider North American build-out. Canadian LNG is entering the market, while new supply is emerging from Africa and South America.
These are substantial investments.
As al-Kaabi put it during the discussion: “The world cannot live without energy. People need to be prosperous, and nearly a billion people still do not have basic electricity. We cannot deprive them of growth.”
It is a framing shared across the panel. This is no longer a conversation about replacement, as one executive summed it up, “we are in a world of energy addition, not energy substitution.”
Europe and energy security
The Russia–Ukraine war remains a defining reference point. Europe’s sudden loss of Russian pipeline gas forced a dramatic pivot to LNG. Imports jumped from roughly 50 million tonnes a year to approximately 120 million tonnes, transforming Europe into a major LNG market almost overnight.
What began as crisis management has reshaped global gas flows. LNG delivered flexibility, security, and scale, and for investors, that restored confidence that LNG infrastructure could be strategic.
As new supply comes online, executives expect prices to ease. When that happens, Asian demand, currently constrained by cost, is expected to rebound sharply. Several Asian economies are also shifting from exporters to net importers as domestic reserves decline.
Oil’s quiet re-entry
Two years ago, oil was widely predicted to disappear from the energy mix by 2030. That narrative, too, has faded.
Oil demand has proven resilient, and even gas-focused producers are expanding oil portfolios. Qatar is actively seeking new oil opportunities and remains one of the world’s largest holders of exploration blocks.
A petroleum refinery of Qatar Petroleum stands near Umm Sa’id, Qatar. Qatar is ranked 16th in countries with the biggest oil reserves and 3rd in natural gas reserves [File: Sean Gallup/Getty Images]
The shift is pragmatic. The industry is no longer debating whether oil and gas will be needed, but how they can be supplied at the lowest possible cost and emissions intensity. Several executives noted that many former oil sceptics have quietly reversed course.
AI and the end of low demand
The most urgent driver of change is not geopolitics — it is artificial intelligence.
For nearly 20 years, global energy demand was relatively stable. That period has ended. AI-driven data centres are consuming electricity at a scale planners failed to anticipate. Individual facilities can require thousands of megawatts of constant power, running 24 hours a day, with no tolerance for interruption.
Executives described this moment as a decisive break with the past. After decades of flat demand, the system has entered what they call hyper-scaling mode.
This demand, they say, is inflexible. Data centres cannot wait for weather conditions. They require power that is reliable, dispatchable, and immediate.
When renewables need backup
No one on stage dismissed renewables. Shell’s Wael Sawan and TotalEnergies’ Patrick Pouyanne both stressed their central role in the future mix. But they were clear about limitations.
The executives viewed wind and solar as intermittent and argued that grids built for predictable generation are under growing stress. Recent blackouts and near-misses in highly renewable systems have exposed the consequences of imbalance.
“When the wind isn’t blowing and the sun isn’t shining,” one executive noted, “gas fills the gap.”
Gas turbines remain essential for grid stability. Nuclear takes decades to scale. Batteries are improving but remain limited. Hydrogen is promising, but not yet deployable at the pace required.
Gas, the industry argues, is the only option that can be built fast enough to meet the contemporary surge in demand.
AI: The friction points
But behind the power-hungry AI-driven confidence are real snag lines. Building energy infrastructure has become slower and more complex.
The executives pointed to permitting delays that stretch projects more than a decade. Water and grid connections are major bottlenecks. Skilled labour is in short supply. Community resistance is growing, driven by cost concerns and environmental pressure.
Executives were openly critical of policy frameworks they see as detached from operational reality. Overlapping and conflicting regulations, they argued, raise costs and delay supply.
“The market dictates what can be delivered,” one leader said, warning that governments risk choking the arteries of energy flow.
Sustainability, emissions and the social contract
The industry acknowledges that its future depends on emissions performance. Methane leakage, efficiency, manufacturing footprints, and transport emissions remain under scrutiny. Gas offers immediate reductions where it replaces coal – about 40 percent in power generation and 20 percent in marine fuels. Carbon capture and sequestration is increasingly integrated into new projects.
ExxonMobil’s Darren Woods emphasised the company’s push to be seen as a technology player — working on hydrogen, carbon capture, and new uses for hydrocarbons beyond combustion. They describe this approach as responsible energy addition.
Yet the tension remains. The current demand surge has pushed environmental scrutiny to the background, but executives know that window is temporary. The sustainability of gas in this new role is under intense scrutiny.
While it burns cleaner than coal, its emissions of CO2 and methane, along with the transport footprint of LNG, remain central to the climate debate. Industry leaders acknowledge that gas must evolve to maintain its social licence. The CEO of QatarEnergy emphasised delivering energy “in the most environmentally responsible manner”.
There is awareness that the current surge in demand has sidelined environmental concerns, but these questions will resurface forcefully once the immediate capacity crisis abates. The gas industry risks a fate similar to coal if it fails to accelerate its decarbonisation efforts through carbon capture, utilisation, and storage (CCUS), and the integration of low-carbon gases, such as hydrogen.
Inclusive not mutually exclusive
The dynamic with renewables and emerging technologies adds another layer of complexity. Executives recognise that, for many regions, building new infrastructure, renewables are the cheapest and easiest option.
The role of gas, therefore, is evolving from a baseload provider to a “complementary load-following role,” essential for balancing grids increasingly saturated with variable wind and solar power.
The advancement of battery storage technology also looms as a potential competitor for this grid-balancing role. The future energy mix is envisioned as abundant, accessible, reliable, and clean, but the path is uncertain.
Investments in hydrogen and ammonia are continuing, though with fluctuating levels of hype, indicating a sector in search of the next breakthrough.
The human connection
Strip away politics and technology, and the core driver is human. Roughly five billion people still consume far less energy than developed economies. To paraphrase QatarEnergy’s al-Kaabi: Prosperity requires power.
Removing energy poverty means adding supply – reliable, affordable supply – at unprecedented scale. That is the context in which the energy company executives are positioning gas: not as a bridge, but as a stabiliser. Energy producers are betting that global demand – supercharged by AI and economic ambition – will outpace the ability of renewables alone to carry the load.
They are building for a world that they say cannot afford shortages, blackouts, or theoretical purity. Gas, they believe, is not a bridge, but the foundation to weather the storm of demand.
And its future will be defined by a simple metric: Can the system deliver abundant, accessible, reliable, and progressively cleaner energy?
Friedrich Merz said concerns about a further escalation with Iran have dominated his trip to the Gulf region.
German Chancellor Friedrich Merz has warned of the threat of a military escalation in the Middle East before talks between Iran and the United States in Oman on Friday.
Speaking in Doha on Thursday, Merz said that fears of a new conflict had characterised his talks during his trip to the Gulf region.
Recommended Stories
list of 3 itemsend of list
“In all my conversations yesterday and today, great concern has been expressed about a further escalation in the conflict with Iran,” he said during a news conference.
Merz also urged Iran to end what he called aggression and enter into talks, saying Germany would do everything it could to de-escalate the situation and work towards regional stability.
The warning came in the run-up to a crucial scheduled meeting between officials from Tehran and Washington in Muscat.
Mediators from Qatar, Turkiye and Egypt have presented Iran and the US with a framework of key principles to be discussed in the talks, including a commitment by Iran to significantly limit its uranium enrichment, two sources familiar with the negotiations have told Al Jazeera.
Before the talks, both sides appear to be struggling to find common ground on a number of issues, including what topics will be up for discussion.
Iran says the talks must be confined to its long-running nuclear dispute with Western powers, rejecting a US demand to also discuss Tehran’s ballistic missiles, and warning that pushing issues beyond the nuclear programme could jeopardise the talks.
Reporting from Washington, DC, Al Jazeera’s Kimberly Halkett said the US is eager for the talks to follow what they see as an agreed-upon format.
“That agreed-upon format includes issues broader than what the US understands Iran is willing to discuss in this initial set of talks,” she explained.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said on Wednesday that talks would have to include the range of Iran’s ballistic missiles, its support for armed groups around the Middle East and its treatment of its own people, in addition to its nuclear programme.
A White House official has told Al Jazeera that Jared Kushner, US President Donald Trump’s son-in-law and a key figure in his Middle East policy negotiations, and Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy, have arrived in the Qatari capital, Doha, in advance of the talks.
Halkett said that Qatar is playing an instrumental role in trying to facilitate these talks, along with other regional US partners, including Egypt.
“We understand, according to a White House official, that this is perhaps part of the reason for the visit – to try and work with Qatar in an effort to try and get Iran to expand and build upon the format of these talks.”
Pressure on Iran
The talks come as the region braces for a potential US attack on Iran after US President Donald Trump ordered forces to amass in the Arabian Sea following a violent crackdown by Iran on protesters last month.
Washington has sent thousands of troops to the Middle East, as well as an aircraft carrier, other warships, fighter jets, spy planes and air refuelling tankers.
Trump has warned that “bad things” would probably happen if a deal could not be reached, ratcheting up pressure on Iran.
This is not the first time Iranian and US officials have met in a bid to revive diplomacy between the two nations, which have not had official diplomatic relations since 1980.
In June, US and Iranian officials gathered in the Omani capital to discuss a nuclear agreement, but the process stalled as Israel launched attacks on Iran, killing several military leaders and top nuclear scientists, and targeting nuclear facilities. The US later briefly joined the war, bombing several Iranian nuclear sites.
