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
Three top Turkey officials to visit Iraq as Erdogan threatens Kurdish militants The officials’ visit signals a fresh drive to dial up pressure on the Patriotic Union of Kurdistan, which Ankara accuses of collaborating with Kurdish militants. Turkey
Uproar in Turkey as mother, son flee to US after fatal hit-and-run Turkey seeks the pair’s extradition from the United States amid public fury. Turkey
Turkey doubles down on coal despite European efforts to decarbonize Turkey has been importing around three quarters of its coal from Russia as prices have fallen since the Ukraine war began in Feb. 2022. Turkey
Analysis New visits, full momentum: Can Turkey and US go beyond transactionalism? US-Turkey ties are heading in a positive direction, but it’s too soon to be optimistic, according to one expert. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Turkey’s Erdogan hosts Zelenskyy, hopeful on Ukraine-Russia compromise Zelenskyy’s visit to Turkey comes one week after that of Lavrov, and as Ankara is trying to find a compromise between Moscow and Kyiv on a Black Sea mechanism. Turkey
After defense deal, Turkey and Somalia ink energy accord amid Somaliland tensions Turkey is hailing its new agreement with Somalia as it works to enhance its presence in the Horn of Africa. Turkey
Morocco turns to Turkey for weapons imports as Israel ties strain over Gaza Francisco Serrano In Lisbon, reporting on North Africa business
Sudan’s army ready for 'indirect' talks with Hemedti’s RSF via Libya, Turkey The Sudanese foreign minister said authorities agreed to Libyan- and Turkish-led indirect negotiations with the Rapid Support Forces, amid fears the internal conflict will turn into a proxy war between major international and regional countries. Sudan
Turkey’s Fidan to meet Blinken in Washington as US ties strengthen Hakan Fidan's meeting with Blinken comes on the heels of his meeting with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov at the Antalya Diplomatic Forum. Turkey
Turkey detains seven Mossad suspects as ties with Israel fray Among the detainees is a former Turkish officer, according to local reports. Turkey
Abbas in Turkey: Gaza aid, Hamas-Fatah reconciliation on agenda with Erdogan Analysts believe the pair also discussed post-cease-fire scenarios in Gaza. Turkey
Turkey spy chief Kalin to meet CIA’s Burns, discuss Syria on first US visit In addition to bilateral ties, the Gaza and Russia-Ukraine wars will top the agenda of the Turkish intelligence chief’s meetings with his US counterpart and other US officials. Turkey