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
Turkey's famed Van cats see birthrates surge The exotic cats have been saved from extinction by a research and breeding center. Turkey
Turkey seeks 2 key demands to support Rutte’s bid to lead NATO Ankara switches to quiet diplomacy for its terror-related demands from the Dutch prime minister, who is seeking Turkish support to become the next NATO chief. Turkey
Has Turkey’s Erdogan axed his Biden meeting because of Israel? Despite rumors of a cancellation in Turkish media, several high-level US diplomats have traveled over the past few days to Ankara to lay the ground for the summit. Turkey
9% spike in Mideast military spending driven by Saudi Arabia, Israel, Turkey Military spending in the region increased by its largest percentage in a decade, in part due to the Gaza war, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute. Saudi Arabia
Turkey, Iraq, UAE, Qatar ink $20B transportation deal during Erdogan visit The Turkish president’s visit heralds a new chapter between the two neighbors after more than a decade of turbulent ties. Turkey
Analysis As Qatar’s frustrations grow, can Turkey lead Gaza diplomacy between Hamas, Israel? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has always kept the long game in mind in his approach to Gaza and Hamas. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
In divided Cyprus, century-old bookshop brings people together Located in Europe's last divided city, a bookshop in Nicosia, Cyprus, has been weathering volatility since its inception in 1937. Turkey
Qatar 'reevaluating' Hamas-Israel mediation role amid mounting criticism Qatar, alongside the US and Egypt, has mediated talks between Israel and Hamas on a cease-fire in exchange for the release of hostages taken in the militant group’s Oct. 7 attack. Qatar
Hamas' Haniyeh to visit Turkey as Erdogan hits back at Gaza criticism The Turkish president dials up his defensive tone in response to domestic criticism over the Gaza war. Turkey
Turkey’s FM to visit Qatar as regional diplomacy seeks to contain Iran-Israel tension Turkey says its flurry of diplomatic activity is aimed at bringing the Gaza war back into focus amid the Israel-Iran escalation. Turkey
Senior US official in Turkey to discuss regional tensions, Erdogan-Biden summit The expected visit of the Turkish president to the White House, along with the escalation of tensions between Israel and Iran, intensifies diplomatic activity between Washington and Ankara. Turkey
Turkey: Meta temporarily shuts down Threads following government order It remains unclear whether the platform will become available again in Turkey. Turkey