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
Is Turkey really committed to fighting IS? Turkey's striking harder at the PKK than at the Islamic State has raised concerns that it is pursuing the domestic political agenda of the Justice and Development Party to marginalize the Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party and gain sole control in early elections. Turkey
Has Turkey found world's oldest temple? A 12,000-year-old Stone Age temple discovered in southern Turkey is challenging conventional views on the rise of civilization. Turkey
Turkish private sector gears up for Iran push An end to international sanctions against Iran raises strong commercial prospects for Turkish companies on the Iranian market. Turkey
Is PKK real target of Turkish strikes? Turkey’s decision to open two fronts, against the Islamic State and the PKK, complicates US cooperation with Kurds in Syria. Iraq
Erdogan’s shift on Islamic State linked to Kurdish gains in Syria Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan finally takes on the Islamic State while attacking PKK bases in northern Iraq; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now the only US ally actively opposing Iran deal; Israel faces pressure to forgo demolition of Palestinian village. Palestine
Turkey drawn into vortex of violence A sudden escalation of attacks against police and the military after the Suruc suicide bombing prompts fears that the cease-fire with the Kurds has ended. Turkey
Does Turkey care about cultural diversity? More than 100 countries have endorsed a UN convention on protecting cultural diversity, but a decade after its inception, the convention still awaits ratification by the Turkish parliament. Turkey
Cyprus settlement could open trade routes for Turkey Should the peace talks in Cyprus result in the island’s reunification, the Turkish economy could benefit from Nicosia's close ties in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Why are Turkey's televangelists talking about oral sex? Turkish imams and televangelists are becoming increasingly outspoken in their commentary and debates on permitted sexual practices. Turkey
Ankara turns blind eye to economic downturn Turkey’s economy is on a worrisome course as tourism and export revenues fall. Turkey
The Islamic State's secret recruiting ground in Turkey Bombers from two separate incidents have hailed from Adiyaman province. Syria
One coastal town's groundbreaking approach to local governance in Turkey A municipality in southern Turkey has introduced an unprecedented multi-religious, multi-cultural approach to local administration. Turkey