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
Turkish public support for NATO declines As Turkey scrambles in response to events in Ukraine, anti-NATO sentiment is spreading in large segments of Turkish society. Turkey
How Ukraine crisis undermines Turkey's economic program Ankara’s economic program has hit a deadlock under the impact of Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, marked by a stream of fuel hikes, canceled tourism bookings and textile orders, and shortage fears in the food sector. Turkey
Turks rush to buy sunflower oil as Ukraine war menaces food prices Despite official assurances over supplies of basic items, a holdup of imports from Russia and Ukraine has already sparked panic buying of sunflower oil. Turkey
Turkey balks at coal phaseout amid growing energy woes Turkey’s pledge to reach net zero carbon emissions by 2053 has come into question after a major climate meeting ended without a coal phaseout plan. Turkey
Turkey’s inflation hits 54.4% as Ukraine crisis threatens fresh blows Russia’s invasion of Ukraine is producing fresh headwinds for Turkey’s economy, including further inflationary pressure and looming blows to the country’s tourism sector, a vital source of hard currency revenues. Turkey
Turkey drops mask rules as it heads for normality ahead of tourist season Turkish Health Minister Fahrettin Koca announces a return to normal life after two years of COVID-19 measures, but medical association warns it may be too early. Turkey
Turkey's opposition unites in advance of 2023 elections The jury’s out on whether a pledge by Turkey’s six opposition parties to bring back the parliamentary system is an agreement on the lowest common denominator or a historical pact that would unseat Erdogan. Turkey
Turkey, Azerbaijan step up aid to Ukraine Despite their valuable ties with Russia, Turkey and its close ally Azerbaijan are busily sending aid shipments to Ukraine. Turkey
Turkey’s economy up 11%, but growth brings risk Turkey’s flashy growth rate in 2021 has been accompanied by a dangerous uptick in inflation and appears bound to drop sharply this year. Turkey
With one eye on Russia, Turkey expresses support for Ukraine The success of Turkish-made drones in Ukraine is the most obvious sign of Ankara’s backing for Kyiv, but fear of Russian backlash is making Turkey tread lightly. Turkey
Erdogan stuck on fence in Ukraine crisis Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has chided NATO for failing to do more for Ukraine but remains averse to antagonizing Russia. Turkey