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
Syrians describe 'most dangerous journey ever' fleeing IS territories Civilians in areas under IS control are barred from leaving, but many are nonetheless risking their lives to flee the group's grip. Syria
How Ankara and the PKK misread civilians’ reactions to ongoing violence As Kurdistan Workers Party violence intensifies in Turkey's cities, civilian Kurds are paying the price. Turkey
Turkey's female journalists now risk parental rights for critical reporting A Turkish female journalist has been stripped of her parental rights in an unprecedented court ruling that marks a new milestone in the suppression campaign against critical media. Turkey
Ouster of Kurdish MPs threatens to fuel separatism in Turkey Turkish parliament members have stripped themselves of immunity in a move designed to expel Kurdish lawmakers, but pushing the Kurdish struggle out of the political arena may end up fueling violent opposition instead. Turkey
Erdogan vs. the world With Recep Tayyip Erdogan closer than ever to total authority, the world is going to have to deal with an increasingly confrontational Turkish president. Turkey
How a Turkish opposition party turned pro-Erdogan The latest episode in Turkey’s political games sees both the government and the leadership of the opposition Nationalist Action Party (MHP) combine forces to fend off the opposition within the MHP. Turkey
How Turkey intends to secure return of Syrian refugees Turkey is seeking to establish a safe zone on its border with Syria to provide a safe haven for the Syrian refugees that currently number around 3 million in Turkey alone. Syria
New Turkish PM helps Erdogan revive 'Ottoman glory' Binali Yildirim is the ideal prime minister to usher in one-man rule in Turkey. Turkey
From Germany to IS front: a former PKK fighter's return to battle Some of those fighting the Islamic State in Iraqi Kurdistan are volunteers. One of them is Sait Curukkaya. Iraq
Do you really need to know the new Turkish PM? The appointment of Turkish Transportation Minister Binali Yildirim as prime minister implies that the office is about to be mothballed. Turkey
Muslim conservatives unveil anger at Turkey's Modest Fashion Week Modest Fashion Week was greeted with a strong backlash from the religious conservative camp in Turkey. Turkey
Why Iran should focus on Turkey, not Russia, for Syria cooperation Despite all talk of a nascent Russian-Iranian alliance, it appears that Iranian interests — and the objective of peace in Syria — are perhaps best served through Iranian-Turkish cooperation. Turkey