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
Turkey says Ethiopia, Somalia reach deal to end Somaliland dispute The Turkish-mediated progress came as the three countries' leaders met in Ankara. Turkey
Analysis Tom Barrack, Trump's pick for Turkey ambassador, is good news for Erdogan The US billionaire's close ties with the president-elect and a portfolio in dealmaking could provide room for improvement in Ankara-Washington ties, according to experts. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
Syria’s Kurds faced with all-out war as Turkey, Sunni allies target Kobani A day after the fall of the SDF-controlled town of Manbij, Turkish proxies advanced today toward the town of Kobani. Syria
Syria’s Kurds under opposition assault as Erdogan vows to protect Turkey from 'terror' Clashes are intensifying as Turkey-backed forces push up against Kurdish fighters. Syria
Turkey to reopen crossing for returning Syrians as Erdogan hails rebel victory The Turkish president pledges support for reconstruction as the victory by opposition groups bolster efforts to re Turkey
With Assad gone, Turkey urges Syrian opposition to unite, warns against PKK The top Turkish diplomat struck a composed tone following the ouster of Bashar al-Assad and called for unity among the Syrian opposition. Turkey
As Turkey weighs next steps in Syria, Erdogan says target is Damascus Rapid rebel advances in Syria have shifted negotiations between Turkey, Iran and Russia to whether the Syrian government will survive. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan ups rhetoric, says Assad must ‘urgently engage' with rebels Erdogan is urging the Syrian government to urgently launch a dialogue with rebels in a bid to end the civil war after insurgents captured Hama. Turkey
Turkey ends probe into Meta over Threads data sharing Turkey's Competition Board has ended its investigation on Meta after the company agreed to new data-sharing terms for Threads. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan urges Assad to engage rebels as Fidan readies for talks with Iran, Russia Turkey's president held calls on Syria with his Russian counterpart and Iraq's prime minister, while the top Turkish diplomat is expected to meet with his Russian and Iranian counterparts for three-party talks. Turkey
Analysis What's ahead for HTS as Syria, Russia strike back and Turkey plots next move? The Syrian government claims to have repelled the HTS advance on Hama, but pro-rebel sources claim the opposite. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
Iran’s FM meets Fidan in Turkey as rift over Syria persists: What we know While the top Iranian and Turkish diplomats agree on the need for de-escalation in Syria, the two countries' positions remain divergent. Turkey