Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Nisantasi beyond the shop windows Also this week: Hopdaddy burgers, Ara Guler’s photographs and Istanbul’s apartment stories. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Costa Rica's Grynspan extends lead in UNSG poll as Nusseibeh places fourth The Costa Rican candidate received 12 encourage votes in Thursday's UN Security Council straw poll. United Arab Emirates
Turkey’s parliament ratifies Mecca pact in boost to Saudi Arabia Turkey will now decide the scope of military support for Saudi Arabia amid ongoing Iran-backed Houthi attacks on the kingdom. Turkey
Can Erdogan’s Baku visit fix Turkey-Azerbaijan rift? A dispute over religious dress in schools has exposed deeper tensions between the two allies, with energy, arms sales, Israel and financial interests adding to the strain. Turkey
Third alliance enters the fray ahead of Turkish elections The leftist Labor and Freedom Alliance pledges to undo injustice but could risk a split in the opposition vote. Turkey
Turkey protests US, Greece over ‘violating non-military status’ of Aegean Greek islands Eastern Mediterranean conflict is steadily turning into a fresh strain in already-troubled US-Turkey ties, as Erdogan lashes out at Washington and Athens over the military buildup in the Dodecanese islands. Turkey
Culture Queer singer tries to create space for discussion in Turkey As the government ramps up its anti-LGBTQ stance, Mabel Matiz, one of Turkey’s most popular queer artists, says he will continue to write songs that inspire public conversation on taboos. Turkey
Halt of Mir use deals blow to rising Putin-Erdogan cooperation The specter of Western sanctions could curb other economic activities between Turkey and Russia as the surging bilateral trade comes under growing scrutiny. Turkey
Health of Turkey’s plastic waste workers under threat as European imports grow A report by Human Rights Watch finds Turkish authorities are not enforcing a law to protect vulnerable workers and local residents from toxic fumes. Turkey
In shock move, Turkey cuts interest rates again Inflation is historically high in Turkey, but President Erdogan continues to defy economic wisdom as the country's central bank slashed policy rates further. Turkey
UAE receives first batch of Turkish armed drones Turkey’s delivery of 20 armed drones to the United Arab Emirates showcases the rapid advance in Ankara’s regional fence-mending. Turkey
Turkey braces for fresh influx of Russians as Putin announces mobilization Prices of international flights from Russia to countries where Russians can visa-free travel skyrocketed within hours following Russian President Vladimir Putin’s partial mobilization announcement. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan tours world stage but misses royal funeral The Turkish president’s foreign trips are widely seen as a way of boosting his image at home. Turkey
Why Erdogan’s Shanghai ambitions are risky business President Erdogan’s statement that NATO-member Turkey is targeting membership in the Shanghai club is more geared toward domestic consumption than reality, particularly after a top Russian diplomat said NATO and the SCO are incompatible. Turkey
Thousands gather in Istanbul for anti-LGBTQ rally Organizers say they are rallying for family values, while rights groups protest the rally as a hate crime. Turkey