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
Many Swedes unsettled by NATO deal with Turkey The Swedish government has come under fire for its concessions to Turkey in return for Ankara’s support for Sweden’s NATO membership, and the angst among Swedes of Kurdish origin is palpable. Turkey
Culture Turkish exhibit reveals ‘extraordinary world’ of Ottoman Empire's last caliph A retrospective of the artwork of Abdulmecid II, Islam’s last caliph, illustrates the dynasty’s fusion of East and West. Turkey
Erdogan says Sweden's, Finland's NATO memberships not done deal The Turkish president says that while the two countries are invited to join NATO, the possibility of a veto remains if they don't keep their promises. Turkey
Prominent sheikh’s funeral exposes Turkey’s secular-religious divide The funeral of a prominent religious leader has showcased the growing influence of religious groups in Turkey. Turkey
Analysis The Takeaway: Turkey still has final say on Sweden, Finland NATO bids Israel awaits Biden message on Iran; Egypt gains Saudi and Arab League support on Nile Dam dispute; Egypt’s chicken showdown; Hamas seizes Israeli surveillance balloon. By Andrew Parasiliti , Elizabeth Hagedorn
No respite for Kurds as Turkey's security forces ramp up repression Musicians, newlyweds, journalists, and even restaurateurs are not immune to the Turkish government's repression of its Kurdish population. Turkey
Deal with Sweden, Finland over NATO membership sees Turkey’s Erdogan hailed at home Pro-government voices see agreement as Nordic countries bowing to Turkish demands, but opponents remain critical. Turkey
Turkey lifts objection to Sweden, Finland joining NATO at last minute Following the signing of a memorandum between Turkey, Sweden, and Finland, Erdogan lifted his veto against the Nordic expansion of NATO hours before the Madrid summit started. Turkey
Ankara forces companies to sell hard currency as circle tightens The Turkish government’s latest loan restriction may help the embattled lira recover to some extent, but not without the risk of damaging side effects. Turkey
Iran's foreign minister checks in with Ankara as Turkey courts Tehran's foes Iran's foreign minister is meeting Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan in Ankara today. Turkey
Syrian refugees recount harassment, abuse in Turkey Syrian refugees in Turkey are living in constant fear among rising attacks, while the Turkish government increases restrictions on them. Syria
Egypt, Turkey hold firm on interest rates Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is adamantly opposed to raising interest rates, but some observers expected Egypt to raise rates in line with Gulf banks and the US Federal Reserve. Egypt