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The Qatar Motor and Motorcycle Federation (QMMF) and the Turkish Automobile Sports Federation (TOSFED) formalised a landmark five-year cooperation agreement, marking a significant step forward in the shared ambition of both organisations to elevate motorsport on the international stage.The agreement, signed on Thursday in Turkiye, lays the groundwork for structured knowledge transfer, joint development programmes, and ongoing collaboration across sporting, technical, safety, and sustainability matters.Both QMMF, which serves as the legal and operational entity of Lusail International Circuit (LIC) in Qatar, and TOSFED, the sole recognised national governing body for motorsport in Turkiye recognised by the Fédération Internationale de l’Automobile (FIA), bring decades of experience in hosting world-class motorsport events and developing national talent. The agreement signals a commitment to pooling that expertise in a sustained and structured manner.Central to the five-year agreement is a dedicated focus on knowledge sharing, encompassing professional expertise in race operations, safety standards, and sustainable practices. The collaboration also prioritises the development of drivers and officials alongside the coordination of international events. To facilitate these objectives and ensure the partnership yields concrete results for both organizations, a joint committee will be formed to establish a comprehensive agenda and strategic timeline.The agreement also opens the door to collaboration on major international events. Both Qatar and Turkiye have established themselves as premier destinations for elite motorsport championships. **media[459052]**On the occasion of the signing of the partnership agreement, the motorsport leadership from both countries commented on the occasion.“This agreement reflects the kind of partnership that moves our sport forward. Qatar and Turkiye share a deep commitment to motorsport excellence, and by combining our knowledge and experience, we can create lasting value, not just for our own federations, but for the broader motorsport community. We look forward to building something meaningful with TOSFED over the years ahead,” said President of QMMF and the Lusail International Circuit Abdulrahman bin Abdullatif al-Mannai.TOSFED President Eren Uclertopragı said: “Qatar is a country that successfully hosts major global events such as Formula 1, MotoGP, and the World Endurance Championship (WEC). We aim to establish joint official training and exchange programs tailored for these types of high-profile organizations. Additionally, we look forward to developing joint events where Turkish and Qatari athletes can compete together, alongside launching impactful social responsibility projects.”Chief Executive Officer of the Lusail International Circuit Abdulaziz Ali al-Mohannadi said: “Lusail International Circuit has always stood for more than a world-class race weekend. It stands for a vision of what motorsport can achieve when the right people and the right institutions work together. This partnership with TOSFED is an extension of that vision, and we are proud to be building these bridges at an international level.”For his part, Executive Director of the QMMF Amro al-Hamad said: “The cooperation between QMMF and TOSFED opens up real and practical opportunities for both organisations to grow. Through joint programmes, shared expertise, and a genuine exchange of ideas, we can develop motorsport in ways that benefit athletes, officials, and fans alike. This is the kind of collaboration that creates a lasting legacy.”

Investment Promotion Agency Qatar (Invest Qatar) concluded a promotional tour in Istanbul, Tukiye, during which it showcased investment opportunities in various vital sectors in the State of Qatar, and strengthened its communication with Turkish investors and key players in the trade and business community.  Invest Qatar said in a statement on Monday that the delegation participating in the four-day promotional tour held a series of high-level meetings with several officials from major Turkish companies.  The programme included several events dedicated to investors, organized in cooperation with key partners, including an investor dialogue in cooperation with the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board, a business banquet in cooperation with the Turkish Industry and Business Association, in addition to organizing a roundtable specializing in the electronic games sector, which brought together stakeholders in this field.  The promotional tour included a series of executive discussions, field visits, and bilateral meetings, which focused on the smart manufacturing, digital technologies, electronic gaming technology, and energy sectors, showcasing the competitive, innovation-based investment environment in Qatar.  The delegation conducted a field visit to the MEXT Technology Center, which is one of the leading innovation centers in the field of the Fourth Industrial Revolution in Turkiye, and plays a pivotal role in driving digital transformation in the manufacturing sector by employing advanced technologies, enhancing cooperation, and developing talent.  A memorandum of understanding was also signed with ARI Teknokent, affiliated with Istanbul Technical University, with the aim of enhancing academic cooperation in the fields of science, culture and entrepreneurship, and supporting innovation ecosystems in both Qatar and Turkiye, by encouraging partnerships between startups and facilitating knowledge exchange, in addition to promoting the marketing of innovative technologies and facilitating their expansion in international markets.  Chief Investment Development Officer at Invest Qatar, Fahad Ali al-Kuwari, said that the promotional tour embodies Qatar's firm commitment to strengthening economic cooperation with Turkiye, and its keenness to provide a stable and supportive environment for international investors.  By expanding investment channels, strengthening partnerships, and consolidating the country's position as a trusted business hub, Qatar continues to solidify its position as a long-term destination for Turkish companies to establish their businesses in the country and expand towards regional and global markets, he added.  Economic relations between Qatar and Turkiye are witnessing steady growth, with more than 1,370 Turkish companies currently operating in Qatar, reflecting the increasing confidence of Turkish investors and companies in the Qatari business environment.

HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al-Thani has discussed bilateral relations and regional diplomatic efforts in a phone conversation with Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Turkiye Hakan Fidan. The talks focused on strengthening cooperation between Doha and Ankara, as well as coordinating positions on ongoing mediation initiatives involving the Islamic Republic of Pakistan between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran. Both sides also discussed efforts to support de-escalation in the region, stressing the importance of diplomatic solutions to reduce tensions and promote stability. HE Sheikh Mohammed stressed that all parties should respond positively to ongoing mediation efforts, in order to tackle the underlying causes of the crisis through dialogue and achieve a durable settlement that helps prevent further escalation. 

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani received a phone call from Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan Wednesday. The call discussed regional developments, particularly updates relating to the announcement of a ceasefire between the United States and Iran.  The president affirmed that reaching a ceasefire is an important opportunity to achieve lasting peace and stability in the region and renewed to HH the Amir his condemnation of the Iranian attacks that targeted Qatar, expressing Turkiye's appreciation for Qatar's wise approach in dealing with these related developments.  HH the Amir expressed his appreciation to the president for his sincere sentiments, affirming Qatar's commitment to supporting regional and international efforts aimed at de-escalation and enhancing security and stability in the region.  HH the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani also received a phone call from French President Emmanuel Macron. They discussed the latest regional and international developments, particularly the ceasefire agreement between the US and Iran, and international efforts to solidify the truce.  The call also addressed the political and economic implications of the truce, with both sides emphasising the importance of reaching a comprehensive agreement that guarantees a permanent ceasefire involving all parties, especially given its impact on the stability of global energy markets and international maritime traffic, and the importance of ensuring the security of maritime routes and freedom of navigation.  They also reviewed the developments in Lebanon, with both sides stressing the importance of de-escalation, containing tensions, and intensifying diplomatic efforts to maintain regional peace. 

A ballistic missile launched from Iran and heading towards Turkish airspace via Iraq and Syria was destroyed by Nato air defence systems, Turkish officials said Wednesday.The defence ministry said it had been "engaged and neutralised by Nato air-and-missile defence assets deployed in the eastern Mediterranean".It did not specify the missile's intended target. Iran has been hitting sites across the region in retaliation after the US and Israel launched strikes against it on Saturday.A Turkish official, speaking to AFP on condition of anonymity, said the missile had been "aimed at a base in Greek Cyprus but veered off course".Officials said fragments that fell in the Dortyol district in southern Turkey, near the Syrian border, had been identified as pieces of the interceptor used to neutralise "the threat in the air".No casualties were reported.The incident drew condemnation from Nato."Nato stands firmly with all allies, including Turkiye, as Iran continues its indiscriminate attacks across the region," Nato spokeswoman Allison Hart said, using Turkiye's official name."Our deterrence and defence posture remains strong across all domains, including when it comes to air and missile defence."Ankara summoned the Iranian ambassador to convey its "reaction and concerns" over the incident while Foreign Minister Hakan Fidan warned Tehran against steps that could widen the conflict, a diplomatic source said.Fidan told his Iranian counterpart in a phone call that "any steps that could lead to the spread of conflict should be avoided", the source added.In an evening address, President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Turkiye was "taking all the necessary precautions" in consultation with its Nato allies and was issuing "warnings in the clearest terms to prevent similar incidents from happening again"."If we, as a nation, want to live in peace and tranquility... we must constantly increase our deterrent capabilities. In these difficult times... we are leaving absolutely nothing to chance regarding the security of our borders and airspace," he said.Turkiye, a majority Nato member, shares a 500-kilometre border with Iran.Erdogan has described the US-Israeli strikes on Iran which sparked the conflict as "illegal" and Fidan also criticised Iran's retaliatory strikes against Gulf nations and beyond, saying it was the "wrong strategy"."The underlying strategy seems to be: 'If I am going to sink, I will take the region down with me'," Fidan said in an interview late Tuesday.Analysts said the trajectory of the Iranian missile and its destruction by Nato systems further raised the stakes for a widening regional war, even if there was no clear evidence Iran intended to strike Turkey."Turkiye will not want to become embroiled in the US-Israel attack on Iran, which it has criticised, but if Iran launches more missiles clearly aimed at targets on Turkish territory, Ankara will consider its own direct retaliation," said Hamish Kinnear of risk-intelligence firm Verisk Maplecroft.The defence ministry said: "Any steps necessary to defend our territory and airspace will be taken decisively and without hesitation.""We reserve the right to respond to any hostile actions directed at our country," it added. 

Three earthquakes struck Balikesir province in western Turkiye, the first measuring 4.7 and the other two measuring 4.2 on the Richter scale.According to the Turkish Anadolu Agency (AA), the tremors occurred at depths of 12.31 km and 7.89 km.Turkiye, which lies on a major global seismic fault line, experienced a devastating earthquake on Feb. 6, 2023, which claimed the lives of more than 50,000 people and caused widespread destruction of infrastructure in several provinces, in addition to thousands of injuries.

His Highness the Amir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad al-Thani and President of the Republic of Turkiye Recep Tayyip Erdogan co-chaired Wednesday the 11th meeting of the Qatari-Turkish Supreme Strategic Committee at the Amiri Diwan. At the outset of the meeting, His Highness the Amir welcomed the Turkish president and his accompanying delegation, wishing them a pleasant stay in Qatar and wishing the strategic relations between the two countries continued development and growth across all areas of partnership to achieve the interests of the two fraternal peoples. He pointed out that the 11th meeting of the Supreme Strategic Committee reflects the strength of the relationship between the two countries, stressing his keenness to strengthen and develop relations to broader horizons. **media[372048]** For his part, the president of Turkiye voiced his thanks and appreciation to His Highness the Amir for the warm welcome and generous hospitality, noting that bilateral relations between the two countries are witnessing remarkable development in various fields, and looking forward to strengthening them to achieve the supreme interests of the two fraternal peoples. During the meeting, they discussed strategic cooperation relations and ways to enhance and develop them across several areas, especially in defence, trade, investment, energy, and information technology. **media[372045]** They also discussed key regional and international issues and developments, as well as the current situation in the Gaza Strip and the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly those related to consolidating the ceasefire, supporting peace, and the flow of humanitarian aid to the Strip. HE Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim al-Thani, HE Chief of the Amiri Diwan Abdullah bin Mohammed al-Khulaifi, along with a number of ministers and senior offcials attended the meeting. **media[372534]** On Turkiye's side, the meeting was attended by Minister of Foreign Affairs Hakan Fidan, along with a number of members of the official delegation accompanying the president. Earlier, His Highness the Amir and the president of Turkiye held a bilateral meeting, where they exchanged views on a number of topics and issues of common concern. **media[372532]** His Highness the Amir held a luncheon banquet in honour of the president of Turkiye and his accompanying delegation. President Erdogan was accorded an official reception ceremony upon arrival to the Amiri Diwan.

Turkish inflation came in higher than expected in August, at nearly 33% annually and more than 2% on a monthly basis, readings that are likely to slow the central bank's plans to cut interest rates as it also weighs stronger economic growth.Annual consumer price inflation stood at 32.95% last month, official data showed on Wednesday, above a Reuters poll estimate of 32.6%. It was up 2.04% on a monthly basis.In further evidence that consumer demand remains strong despite the effects of prolonged monetary tightening, separate data on Monday had shown that Turkiye's economy grew by 4.8% in the second quarter, above expectations.The data flurry comes at a jittery time for investors in Turkiye. A court on Tuesday ousted the Istanbul provincial head of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), dealing a fresh judicial blow to opponents of President Tayyip Erdogan and triggering sharp falls in Turkish share and bond markets.According to a poll conducted in July, economists had expected the central bank to cut its policy rate to 36% by year-end, or some 700 basis points from the current 43%. However the latest inflation and GDP data could cause it to slow the pace of the easing, analysts said."Looking ahead to the central bank's September 11 meeting, we expect the market's current consensus for a 300bps rate cut to moderate towards 200-250bps," Oyak Securities said in a note to clients on Wednesday.In July, the central bank cut the policy rate by 300 basis points, relaunching an easing cycle paused in March, and it promised to use all policy tools in the event of a significant and persistent deterioration in inflation."After Wednesday's GDP growth data and today's inflation data, the probability of the central bank cutting rates by 300 basis points in September has become very low," Hakan Kara, a former central bank chief economist now on the faculty at Bilkent University in Ankara, said on X.The monthly inflation reading for August of 2.04% was affected by higher food, education, and housing prices, as well as the continued impact of a mid-year update of taxes on tobacco and fuel items.In July, CPI inflation stood at 33.52% on an annual basis, while the monthly reading was 2.06%.In the Reuters poll, the monthly inflation rate for August had been expected to come in at 1.8%.The domestic producer price index rose 2.48% month-on-month in August for an annual rise of 25.16%, the data showed.Inflation is seen slowing to 30% at the end of this year according to the poll median, higher than the central bank forecast range of 25%-29%.