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
Prominent Islamic scholar accuses AKP of corruption The widely respected Hayrettin Karaman, a key supporter of Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party, has openly criticized the ruling elite as corrupt. Turkey
Pope Francis hopes for better ties between Turks, Armenians Odds appear stacked against Pope Francis’ desire for the Turkish and Armenian nations to overcome their historic differences and achieve reconciliation. Turkey
Turkey looks to lure Hollywood filmmakers Seeking to attract European and American filmmakers to Turkey, the Culture and Tourism Ministry has drafted a bill to meet 25% of the costs of foreign productions shot there. Turkey
Israel: Turkey insincere about mending fences Several emissaries are trying to reconcile Turkey and Israel, but the latter feels that resetting relations requires a sincere change of approach: an end to Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan's declarations against Israel and to his support for Hamas terror. Israel
Turkey's women expand role in military The Turkish army is witnessing a rapid increase of females in its ranks. Turkey
Turkey’s pro-Erdogan media purge The unexpected dismissals of three top executives from two of Turkey’s key pro-Erdogan newspapers has led to questions about the power games in the ruling AKP. Turkey
Turkey's Hamas 'bureau' Hamas activist Saleh al-Arouri, previously expelled from Israel, found refuge in Turkey, where he managed to create a militant alternative to the movement’s splintered leadership. Palestine
Erdogan slams US on Syria again, days after Biden visit Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan calls US "impertinent" on Syria, says West likes seeing Muslim children die; Israel considers extension of Iran nuclear talks as better than a bad deal. Saudi Arabia
Erdogan turns back on EU membership bid Influential voices in Turkey are worried about the impression that Turkey and the EU are drifting apart and what this will do to Turkey’s political reform process. Turkey
Turkish simits arrive in New York A simit is no longer just ring-shaped sesame bread, but a subtle introduction to Turkish cuisine. Turkey
Turkey's response to measles outbreak questioned Some believe the Turkish government is downplaying a measles outbreak compounded by the arrival of Syrian refugees despite warnings by World Health Organization and Turkish medical experts. Syria
Davutoglu's gestures fall short of Alevi demands Turkey’s prime minister seeks a fresh “opening” with the Alevi community, but his gestures are far from meeting fundamental Alevi demands. Turkey