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
Top generals step down in ominous sign for Turkish military in Syria Top generals in charge of Turkey’s military operations in Syria have sought retirement amid escalating tensions in Idlib, fueling questions over Ankara’s Syria policies. Turkey
Syria to be key topic in Erdogan-Putin summit The Turkish and Russian presidents are expected to discuss Syria in Sochi, as well as Ukraine, anti-missile batteries and natural gas. Turkey
Turkey’s opposition parties drop hints of future cooperation In expressing support for the reinstitution of a parliamentary system and revisiting the Kurdish question, Turkey’s opposition parties appear to be reaching across ideological divides to counter President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in future elections. Turkey
Erdogan says Turkish relations with US not 'healthy' Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan added that the trajectory of US-Turkey ties "does not bode well." News Brief
Turkish lira drops to near record lows after Central Bank trims policy rate The move came following pressure from the Turkish president. Turkey
In New York, Erdogan plays to domestic audience Erdogan's New York trip was mainly aiming to boost his dwindling support at home, yet the trip has apparently failed to achieve its main objective. Turkey
Bowing to Erdogan’s pressure, Turkish Central Bank makes risky rate cut Turkey’s Central Bank has delivered a rate cut long sought by the president, who's counting on stimulating economic growth to patch up his sagging popular support. Turkey
How an Islamic State suspect lived as a shopkeeper in Turkey The Turkish judiciary’s weakness in dealing with Islamic State suspects comes under the spotlight after a bombshell report on how a Syrian man suspected of ordering the burning to death of two Turkish soldiers in 2016 walked free from court and lived as a shopkeeper in Turkey. Turkey
After summer of severe floods and fires, Turkey to ratify Paris Agreement In his address at the United Nations General Assembly on Tuesday, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced the Paris Climate Agreement would be submitted to Turkey’s parliament for approval next month. Turkey
Turkish university students camp in parks to protest rent hikes Citing trouble finding affordable housing ahead of the fall semester, student groups across Turkey are organizing campout events in protest of rising rental prices. Turkey
Turkey's latest attack on PKK militant in Iraqi Kurdistan meant as show of strength In recent months, Turkish drones have picked off a string of mid-level commanders in Iraqi Kurdistan and northeast Syria. Iraq
Turkish civic groups protest abductions, forced disappearances Civic groups and legal experts say reports of abduction and forced disappearances of opposition party members are on the rise. Turkey