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His Excellency Minister of Environment and Climate Change Dr. Abdullah bin Abdulaziz bin Turki Al Subaie met on Monday with Ambassador of the Republic of Turkiye to the State of Qatar Yakup Caymazoglu.During the meeting, they discussed aspects of cooperation between the two countries in the fields of environment and climate change as well as ways to enhance them, in addition to a number of topics of mutual interest.

* Mbappe scores winner in 1-0 away victory over Turkey before apparent knee injury* Zidane first France coach to win first game in charge since Aime Jacquet in 1994* Belgium beat Italy 2-0 as managers Van Bommel and Mancini start new spells   Zinedine Zidane's first week in charge of France ended with a 1-0 Nations League win away to Turkey on Friday thanks to a second-half goal from Kylian Mbappe, but the clearest signs of change came before the match rather than during it.On the training ground and around the squad, Zidane quickly began putting his stamp on a team that had spent 14 years under Didier Deschamps, introducing his own routines, staff structure and tactical ideas while bringing a more hands-on approach.Twenty minutes before his first training session as France coach, Zidane walked onto the pitch at the Clairefontaine national football centre carrying his boots, smiling at the bank of journalists who were waiting for a glimpse of the new era.By the end of the session, the former France playmaker had provided a reminder of the technique that made him one of the finest players of his generation, effortlessly demonstrating drills before feeding passes to players for shooting practice.Zidane also chose the Michel Platini pitch, named after his fellow France great, for that opening session rather than the Pierre Pibarot field more commonly used in the Deschamps era.Initially standing back while goalkeeping coach Fabien Barthez joked with Jean Butez and Guillaume Restes and fired shots at them from close range, Zidane later joined assistant David Bettoni to demonstrate the technical exercises himself.Zidane then supplied passes for the shooting exercises, encouraging and congratulating his players as the hour-long session drew to a close."We were all fans of his when we were young, so it's a pleasure and I'm very happy to be able to learn from him," defender Dayot Upamecano said."We saw that he's still got it, so it's going to be difficult to reproduce what he can do."Defender Maxence Lacroix described training under 54-year-old Zidane as "a great source of pride", while goalkeeper Butez, earning his first call-up, said: "I imagine there couldn't be a better first selection than with a staff like this." PERFECT START FOR VAN BOMMELZidane also began reshaping the team away from the pitch, surrounding himself with a sizeable staff headed by long-time assistant Bettoni and former France team mate Barthez, while placing an emphasis on the history of the national side and links with younger age groups.On the field, France's first match under Zidane, the first France men's coach to win his first game in charge since Aime Jacquet in 1994, was more measured than revolutionary.They beat Turkey 1-0 away in Group A1, with Mbappe scoring the winner in the 54th minute before going off five minutes later with an apparent knee injury.Turkey finished with 10 men after keeper Ugurcan Cakir was sent off three minutes from time for handling the ball outside his area with a diving save.France controlled long spells and showed flashes of the attacking combinations Zidane had worked on during the week, but there was no dramatic tactical overhaul and the performance was built largely on organisation and patience.That left Zidane's early imprint clearest in the details surrounding the team: his presence on the training pitch, the tone of the sessions, changes to the daily routine and the structure he has begun putting around the squad.The first result was positive. The larger transformation, after just one week, remains a work in progress.There will be a lot more work to do for Roberto Mancini, whose second spell in charge of Italy began with a 2-0 home defeat by Belgium, also in Group A1.Mika Godts scored his first international goal after 20 minutes to give Mark van Bommel a winning start as Belgium coach, with Dodi Lukebakio putting the result beyond doubt with a curled shot in the 69th.Northern Ireland earned their first League B victory at the 11th attempt with a 1-0 win in Georgia, Pierce Charles saving Khvicha Kvaratskhelia's second-half penalty before his brother Shea struck in the ninth minute of stoppage time. 

France legend Zinedine Zidane on Thursday admitted to feeling "immense emotion" as he prepared to take charge of Les Bleus for the first time in their UEFA Nations League clash with Turkey."I feel even more emotional than I did ahead of my first game as a player. Today I feel immense emotion at being able to be here in charge of France," Zidane said ahead of Friday's Group A1 game at the home of Kocaelispor in northern Turkey.The 54-year-old star of the France team that won the World Cup in 1998 was appointed in July to succeed his former international colleague Didier Deschamps, who stepped down after 14 years at the helm.Zidane was a superstar as a player and remains an icon in his home country, two decades after hanging up his boots. He has since enjoyed success as coach of Real Madrid and there is huge anticipation in France at his appointment."That is entirely logical," Zidane acknowledged. "But the protagonists are the players. I will stick to my job and try to put something in place with the players to get them winning games. That's what interests me."Zidane also revealed that captain Kylian Mbappe was back training normally again after struggling with illness earlier in the week.After the clash with Turkey, Zidane and France face Belgium in Brussels next Monday before a home double-header against Italy and Belgium at the Stade de France at the start of next month.Midfielder Adrien Rabiot believes having the spotlight on Zidane could benefit the players."We know how important he has been for French football. His aura means he takes up a lot of space and people expect a lot from him," said the AC Milan man."He is trying to stay out of the spotlight to allow the players to fully express themselves, and so that people talk as little as possible about him."That is obviously difficult but it's maybe a good thing because talking more about the coach than about certain players could allow them to be left a bit more in peace." 

NATO heads of state and government will meet in Ankara, Turkiye, on Tuesday, for a two-day summit of great importance amidst numerous regional crises and global challenges and transformations, particularly in the security and energy sectors.Ankara is hosting the summit 22 years after the last one held on its soil in 2004. Turkiye occupies a strategic importance from geographical, political, and defense perspectives, as well as being a key transit corridor for energy supplies.The summit is expected to discuss the alliance's defense spending and the Russia-Ukraine crisis. It will reaffirm the commitment to the principle of collective defense and the bonds between member states, in addition to addressing the developments in the Middle East, global challenges related to security, freedom of navigation, energy supplies, and other regional and international issues.The summit is also expected to highlight Turkiye's prominent diplomatic role, its military contributions, the development of its defense industries, and its crisis management capabilities.In this regard, Assistant Professor at Qatar University, Dr. Abdulla Banndar Al Etaibi, noted that Turkiye has emerged as one of the world's leading producers of defense equipment, military technologies, and security and intelligence systems. He explained that the country's defense budget reached approximately $22.8 billion in 2024, representing 2.09% of its GDP. When Turkiye meets NATO's newly agreed 5% defense spending target, its defense budget would rise to around $70 billion, an increase of approximately $47 billion.Al Etaibi added, in exclusive statements to the Qatar News Agency (QNA), that Turkiye's hosting of the summit carries significant political and strategic weight. It confirms that Ankara remains an indispensable player within the alliance, despite the disagreements that have strained its relations with some Western countries in recent years.He emphasized that Turkiye's ability to play a crucial role in mediation efforts has given it added value within the alliance. This is because Turkiye can communicate with parties that other NATO members cannot easily reach. Furthermore, hosting the summit reflects the alliance's recognition that European security is no longer separate from the security of the Middle East and the Black Sea.For his part, Professor of Critical Security Studies at the Doha Institute Dr. Muhannad Salloum affirmed the significant role that Turkiye has come to occupy within NATO. He pointed out that Ankara is an indispensable ally, both geographically and militarily, for NATO, despite its disagreements with some members of the alliance.For its part, the State of Qatar is keen to strengthen its relations with the NATO, as the two sides have distinguished relations within the framework of the "Istanbul Cooperation Initiative,” which the State of Qatar joined on February 16, 2005. This includes the exchange of visits and political consultations, and participation in the study and training courses provided by NATO in the scientific and military fields.Relations between the State of Qatar and NATO witnessed significant development following the historic visit of His Highness the Father Amir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa Al-Thani to NATO Headquarters in 2006, the first such visit by a head of state from a member country of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative.In 2014, relations between the State of Qatar and NATO saw further progress, with the agreement to hold the NATO and Gulf Security Conference in Doha in December 2014 as part of the celebrations marking the 10th anniversary of the Istanbul Cooperation Initiative. Additionally, the NATO Conference on Weapons of Mass Destruction arms control, disarmament and non-proliferation was held in Qatar in March 2015.

The recent visit of the Turkish Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan to Doha carries exceptional significance, as it comes at a highly sensitive regional time characterised by increasing challenges and critical developments, according to Turkish ambassador Dr Mustafa Goksu. The envoy said the visit witnessed high-level diplomatic engagement, as Fidan was received by His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani. He also held an official, expanded round of talks with HE Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, as well as an important meeting with HE Sheikh Saud bin Abdulrahman bin Hassan al-Thani, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of State for Defence Affairs. Dr Goksu noted that the significance of the visit lies in conveying a firm message warning against the risks of an expanding conflict and reaffirming the mutual support for constructive mediation efforts aimed at de-escalation. He stressed the commitment of both Ankara and Doha to safeguarding regional stability and preventing the resumption of military operations, given their catastrophic repercussions for international peace and security and the global economy. The envoy also pointed to the full convergence of views between the two countries, emphasising that the statements made by Fidan — in which he underlined that Israeli expansionism represents “the primary problem” and the main threat to regional stability and security — reflect a deeply rooted and shared strategic position between Ankara and Doha. He added that the expansionist and aggressive policies pursued in Gaza, Lebanon, the West Bank, and Syria have claimed the lives of thousands of innocent people and triggered waves of forced displacement that have turned millions of rightful inhabitants into refugees facing severe humanitarian conditions. Accordingly, Dr Goksu reiterated Turkiye’s full support for Qatar’s tireless efforts to defuse and resolve crises through diplomacy and effective mediation, noting that the two brotherly countries constitute an integrated pillar of stability and consistently support one another’s initiatives across international platforms. The envoy concluded his statement by affirming that these discussions reflect the strong political will of the leaderships of both countries to play an active and influential role in resolving regional crises, while embodying their mutual commitment to coordinating positions and enhancing joint co-operation. He stressed the steadfast position of both countries in supporting the resilience of the brotherly Palestinian people and adhering to the two-state solution as the sole strategic path toward achieving a just and lasting peace in the region. 

Bidding farewell to my parents at the Karachi airport; tears glistened in the eyes of my mother, sister, and brother as they gathered around me, their emotions concealed beneath a veil of composure. My dad was accompanying me for a month to settle me in Istanbul, he gave a reassuring hug to my mom as he silently conveyed, "Don't worry; I'll take care of her.” Mother handed me a box of her freshly baked chicken buns as if fearing the airlines might forget to feed me.I avoided a final wave to conceal tears rolling down my cheeks to spare my mother the pain, who I knew couldn't bear to see me cry.At 21, I was moving to Istanbul for college. Turkey is a popular destination for Pakistani college students, Turkey is the 3rd destination country in Asia for Pakistani students according to UNESCO and currently, Turkey is hosting 2,948 students from Pakistan according to Turkey's ministry of education.Being the youngest in my family, I had a close connection to my home and family. I felt pangs of sadness especially during festive times like Ramadan and Eid, which were always the joyous occasions in our household. We all used to sit on the "dastarkhwan," which is a beautiful tablecloth spread on the carpet, and happily savor the yummiest meals together while discussing what's new in our lives. However, amidst this sea of change, I was at peace knowing that there was one constant source of comfort that was accompanying me to this foreign land -my beloved cup of Pakistani chai. Packed within my luggage, a carefully sealed container of tea leaves journeyed with me to the far-off land.Chai has always been a part of my life, from my sister sneaking an extra teabag in my cup away from my dad's attention at the age of 4 to my first sip of chai away from home in Turkey, sitting on the bare floor between unpacked boxes, watching my dad assembling pieces of my bed, it all hit me with a wave of nostalgic feeling of familiarity and comfort. However, the unique taste of Pakistani tea is hard to replicate elsewhere; the perfect blend of cardamom, the right amount of tea leaves, the perfect ratio of milk to tea and just knowing how long to brew is an art to master. In foreign countries like Turkey, the scarcity of raw ingredients often makes it a luxury. In chai the main and most important component is the “chai patti” tea leaves, even though Turkey ranks third highest in tea consumption as per the Food and Agriculture Organization, the çay drank here is quite different than Pakistani chai, the tea leaves in Turkish cay is much lighter with a unique aroma, whereas Pakistani tea leaves are way more rich and intense.While Turkish çay is undoubtedly refreshing, it doesn’t quite match the satisfying hit of Pakistani chai. The craving for chai intensified when I went without it for two days which caused moodiness, and headaches, as Pakistani tea leaves are not readily accessible in this new place. However, the thought of tea leaves arriving soon brought a sense of calmness but my friends were the happiest because apparently I’m a real life Grinch without chai.In conversation with Shahana Khalid, 49, a Pakistani expat living in Istanbul Turkey, a housewife, and mother of two who accompanied her daughter who is enrolled in university, also expressed her concerns regarding the difficulty of having chai in a foreign country, “prices of the raw ingredients are ridiculously high compared to Pakistan, but the sacrifices are worth it”, Shahana sighed, gently shaking her head pondering about the cost she had to pay to hold onto something dear to her heart, as she continues to bargain the price of tea leaves and other spices from the shop owner. The shop, Memons Trading, a Pakistani market located in the touristy Fatih district, the air was filled with the scents of exotic spices that were transported back to the street of Karachi's spice bazaar. It was a small store with neatly organized shelves that showcased an array of diverse spices and goods. Imran Musa, 42, the shop owner, explained why the price for patti is so high, “The expense of covering their flight fare is added onto the product”.This isn't the first time Pakistanis are paying high prices for their chai drinking habit, as per the Guardian the Pakistani government spends about £500m annually from the central bank’s hard currency reserves for tea imports. It's gotten to be such a back-breaking issue that Pakistan's federal minister Ahsan Iqbal urged locals to cut back on its chai as Pakistan has had to resort to borrowing funds to meet its tea import expenses.Nonetheless, this never stopped a true Pakistani from savoring their chai, even in a foreign land. When I noticed my patti supplies are getting dangerously low, I asked my dad to send in 5kg of Pakistani tea leaves from Qatar with the help of his friend, I took a three-hour trip to the outskirts of Istanbul pick up the tea and on my ride back home in the bus, I joyfully carried a huge bag filled with tea leaves, attracting curious glances from fellow passengers.“People come from far away just to have a cup of tea,” Mustafa Ahsan, 32, a manager at Karachi Darbar restaurant based in Taksim, Istanbul said. Mustafa said that not just Pakistanis but people from Middle Eastern countries show up at the restaurant just for “karak chai”, even though the restaurant is famous for its Pakistani cuisine mainly chicken biryani and karahi the majority of people end their meal with the hot cup of chai.Just like Pakistan's street side “chai dhabas”, in Turkey, people gather in çayhane, for çay sessions.**media[368607]**At a çayhane in Kadikoy, the clinking of tea glasses fills the air as people sit across from one another at a tiny table, stirring sugar in their cay, alongside smoking cigarettes and chit chatting.“Seeing a kettle makes me think of my family, specifically about my close connection to my father,” says Ayse Gurel, a 22-year-old classmate. For her, tea is a comforting link to her childhood. “I drink 2 liters çay a day”, she says proudly.“I can't survive a single day without Pakistani chai,” I told Shahana after we left the store with a kilo of patti that she finally bought after bargaining with the shopkeeper for 10 minutes. She was excited to brew with the fresh leaves and sit down to watch her favorite Pakistani series with her daughter later that night. “I cannot do without it,” she said. “Chai for me is the comfort of familiarity in an alien land”