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
Iraq says Turkey killed Arab tourists in artillery attack on Kurdistan resort The attack, which Turkey denied in a statement, came a day after Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan met with Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei in Tehran to win Tehran's backing for a further invasion into northeastern Syria. Turkey
Erdogan vows to move forward with Syria operation despite objections from Iran, Russia Turkey’s president remains adamant despite opposition from US, Russia, Iran, Syria. Turkey
Turkey’s Erdogan meets in Tehran with Russian, Iranian leaders The presidents of Turkey, Russia and Iran are expected to focus on the peace process in Syria, but the blockade of Ukrainian ports will top the agenda between Ankara and Moscow. Turkey
Erdogan woos Turkish youth by canceling interest on student loans The president’s move, first suggested by the opposition, follows protests by thousands of students over the exorbitant interest on student loans. Turkey
Turkey’s economy stands to suffer from euro’s downturn The ramifications of the euro’s slide threaten to further stoke Turkey’s currency woes and soaring inflation. Turkey
Pentagon warns Turkey against renewed invasion of Syria A US defense official called for a political process to end Turkey's perpetual battles with Kurdish militants. Turkey
Turkish extradition requests often disregarded by Western allies Ankara has long viewed foreign courts’ refusal to repatriate suspects as a sign of obstruction by their governments, but the West looks askance at the Turkish judicial system. Turkey
Ukraine, Russia grain talks in Turkey stir optimism as UN voices caution Turkey’s defense chief has announced Russia and Ukraine are set to sign an understanding over a series of “fundamental technical” issues that the warring parties agreed on during today’s talk in Istanbul. Turkey
Turkey’s ruling party members stick with Erdogan Despite growing public discontent, senior members of Turkey's ruling party stick with President Erdogan. Turkey
Murder of Turkish doctor spurs rage against Turkey’s beleaguered health sector The brutal shooting of a cardiologist in a conservative central Anatolian city has pitted the health sector not only against the government but also the General Directorate of Religious Affairs. Turkey
Erdogan, Putin set to meet in Tehran The Turkish, Iranian and Russian leaders are set to meet in Tehran next week amid lingering Turkish threats against Syrian Kurdish groups. Putin and Erdogan will separately discuss the Ukrainian grain crisis. Turkey
Turkey, UAE continue to mend ties with space agreement Turkish-Emirati economic ties have gradually strengthened this year, reducing tensions between the two regional powers. Turkey