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 recasts approach to armed groups in Syria Intelligence reports of al-Qaeda threats against Turkey are causing concern. Syria
Baghdad-Erbil oil dispute: Agreeing to disagree, for now As the Erbil-Baghdad oil controversy drags on, it remains unclear how ties will be affected between Ankara, Erbil and Baghdad. Iraq
Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum remains in limbo Although not officially canceled, the fifth Turkish-Arab Cooperation Forum may not be held this year. Egypt
Al-Qaeda emerges amid Egypt’s turmoil Information is emerging that al-Qaeda’s growth in the region is extending into the Sinai Peninsula and across Egypt. Egypt
Erdogan tries to shake Sisi comparison as elections near The legacy of the Gezi Park protests, the Kurdish opening and tensions with the Gulen movement are generating a disparate opposition to Turkey's prime minister. Turkey
Leak deepens AKP-Gulen rift The leaked National Security Council advisory ruling in 2004 about the state aiming to weaken the Gulen movement is another headache for Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Turkey
Syrian refugees in Istanbul sent from pillar to post Over 200,000 Syrian refugees, most of them without legal papers, struggle to find shelter and work in Istanbul as winter sets in. Syria
Turkish culture popular among Gaza Palestinians Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's support for Palestine, in particular Gaza, has prompted strong interest in Turkish culture among Gazans. Palestine
Turkey’s Laz awakening Turkey’s Laz people are awakening to their language and culture, though it is still premature to speak of a “Laz Renaissance.” Turkey
Iran deal recasts regional politics The consequences of the agreement are already extending beyond Iran’s nuclear program. Israel