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
Intel: Missile launched on Turkey's Black Sea coast after notice of S-400 test Turkey's Defense Ministry has not publicly confirmed if the missile was part of planned tests of the Russian-built air defense system. Turkey
Are Egypt-Russia naval drills in Black Sea message to Ankara? For the first time, the Egyptian navy holds joint exercises in the Black Sea with Russia, at a time of escalating tensions with Turkey. Egypt
Senate Democrats urge Library of Congress to recognize Armenian genocide Democratic Senators said the library should follow Congress and rebuke the Trump administration by referring to the killings of Armenians in Turkey in the early 20th century as a "genocide." Turkey
Erdogan demands new laws to reel in Turkish medical group Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has urged parliament to curb the influence of the Turkish Medical Association, which has been critical of the state’s handling of the COVID-19 pandemic. Turkey
Why is Turkey absent from table despite being in field? Turkey’s policy to use muscle to gain diplomatic clout has been marred by a series of miscalculations, failing to produce the desired results in the conflicts in Libya and the Caucasus. Turkey
Biden campaign criticizes both Azerbaijan and Armenia in statement on war The US presidential contender also slammed Turkey's role in official remarks on the Nagorno-Karabakh conflict. Turkey
Will Russia recruit Syrian Kurds to fight in Armenia-Azerbaijan conflict? While Russia will likely avoid direct involvement in the conflict between Azerbaijan and Armenia, there are signs it could draw lessons from Libya and recruit fighters from Syria to do its bidding. Syria
Turkey resumes energy research in disputed waters A Turkish seismic research vessel has resumed energy prospecting activities in disputed eastern Mediterranean waters, sparking renewed tensions with Greek and EU leaders, who called on Ankara to end its "provocations." Turkey
Intel: US condemns Turkey's decision to redeploy ship to Greek waters The State Department called Ankara's plan to redeploy the Oruc Reis drilling ship a "calculated provocation." Turkey
New Turkish indictment prolongs ‘torture’ for philanthropist Kavala’s family Months after he was acquitted on charges he sought the government’s overthrow with popular protests, Turkish philanthropist Osman Kavala faces life in prison for his alleged involvement in a failed coup. Turkey
Intel: US senators renew call for Turkey sanctions over reports of S-400 test Reports that Turkey continues to test the Russian-built air defense system have prompted renewed objections from lawmakers. Turkey
Intel: Turkish F-16s spotted on runway in Azerbaijan The discovery follows Armenia's allegation that Ankara has introduced combat aircraft into the Caucasus war. Turkey