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
As European dream fades, Iraqi Kurds return home Thousands of Kurds who fled to Europe are now seeking to return to Iraq after facing an even harsher reality there. Iraq
Despite ongoing war, is trade between Turkey, Syria rebounding? As the number of Syrian companies set up in Turkey increases, the trade between the two countries is returning to prewar levels. Syria
Will G-20 summit improve Erdogan’s international image? Europe’s need for Turkey’s cooperation in the refugee crisis is forcing EU leaders to moderate their tone against Erdogan’s undemocratic ways. Syria
Kurds in postelection Turkey: Silver lining or tough times? The Kurdish peace process, which Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan once described as frozen but not dead, is not likely to thaw soon. Syria
Why was Hamas interested in the Turkish elections? Hamas leaders were among the first to congratulate the AKP for its victory in the Turkish elections, as Turkey has always supported the Palestinian cause. Palestine
Turkey's alcohol restrictions spark boost in bootleg booze The Turkish government’s hefty taxes on alcohol have led to bootleg liquor production, which has claimed at least 26 lives over the past month. Turkey
Is Erdogan waging a war of choice against the PKK? Erdogan and the AKP win by emphasizing the threat from Kurdish terrorism; Palestinian martyrs on the rise with intifada violence; Al-Monitor backs UNICEF education program for Syrian children. Palestine
Turkey’s Armenian community gets back children’s camp Turkish Armenians finally obtained the deed to Camp Armen, an orphanage and children’s camp in Istanbul. Turkey
Fears of government seizure spill over to Turkey's universities Private universities in Turkey appear to be next in line in government crosshairs after a number of companies, newspapers and TV channels were taken over by pro-government trustees. Turkey
Syria's 'moderate jihadis' elated by Turkish election results The Syrian opposition wants to know what kind of support it can expect from the AKP government after the AKP won solid support in the recent election. Syria
After big win in June, why did HDP lose this time? Voters held the pro-Kurdish party HDP responsible for the violence that affected thousands before the election, turning to the Justice and Development Party to restore order. Turkey
How will Erdogan solve 'terror problem' that brought him victory? Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan may face some high-cost moves to put the terror and chaos genie back into the bottle after unleashing it to make up for his party’s June electoral failure. Syria