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
Culture Turkish volleyball star becomes target of homophobic slur A conservative paper’s attack on a gold-medal-winning volleyball star for her sexual orientation has created controversy as Turks rallied to her defense. Turkey
Turkey, UAE ink $50 billion in trade deals during Erdogan visit The $50 billion worth trade deals come as the Turkish government is struggling to draw foreign funds to ease its currency crisis. United Arab Emirates
European Parliament rebuffs Turkey's NATO-EU trade-off Turkey’s EU accession process cannot resume under the current circumstances, but new ways to cooperate should be explored, EP members say ahead of an EU foreign ministers meeting. Turkey
Turkish lira hits record low, losing 2% amid concerns of smaller rate increase As of 4:15 p.m. Istanbul time, the lira was trading at 26.99 against the dollar, 2.4% less than Monday’s close of 26.3505. Turkey
Turkey, Russia discuss Ukraine grain export deal after Moscow halts pact The conversation between the top Russian and Turkish diplomats comes as Ankara is amping up its efforts to salvage the deal critical for global food markets. Turkey
Saudi Arabia signs major deal with Turkey to acquire Baykar drones Riyadh has long been interested in Baykar drones and the possibility of producing the weapons in Saudi Arabia. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan arrives in Saudi Arabia, first stop on Gulf tour Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said his three-day Gulf tour, which includes Saudi Arabia, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates, will focus on economic cooperation. Turkey
Wheat prices rise by nearly 3% as Russia-Ukraine grain deal expires Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said he may call his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin, in an effort to save the export deal. The deal’s termination could have economic effects on the Middle East. Turkey
Analysis As Turkey grapples with deficit, Erdogan pins his hopes on Gulf funds during visit Ankara is hoping for an inflow of Gulf dollars as the battered lira remains under pressure amid a gaping budget deficit and reluctance to take firmer measures to tame inflation. By Mustafa Sonmez In Istanbul, reporting on economics
Inside Turkey's three dimensions for changing tune on Sweden's NATO bid Turkey’s surprise decision on the Swedish NATO bid seems to be underpinned by considerations on defense and economic areas. Turkey
Is Turkey ready to join European Union as Erdogan jump-starts its bid? In line with its founding father Mustafa Kemal Ataturk’s vision, Turkey had historically positioned itself as a part of the Europe. Erdogan’s unexpected push may lead to some progress in certain avenues, experts and observers believe. Turkey
Erdogan’s NATO moves agitate Russia but don’t spell Turkey's sharp shift to West The Turkish leader is navigating Ankara’s relationships in ways that he believes best benefit Turkey’s interests and above all his own political survival. Turkey