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
Flash floods in Turkey kill at least 10 people Flooding has ravaged several parts of the country this week. Turkey
Turkey’s Fidan, NATO chief discuss Sweden’s bid, Ukraine grain deal The phone call comes a day after the meeting in Sochi between Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his Russian counterpart, Vladimir Putin. Turkey
Turkey, Greece announce 3-point plan ahead of Erdogan-Mitsotakis meeting The top Greek and Turkish diplomats also reiterated a plan to revive confidence-building talks between the two countries' armies but didn't release a date. Turkey
Turkey's women's volleyball team receives hero's welcome after European title win Turkey's Sultans win the European women's volleyball championship. The victory coincides with the 100th anniversary of the Republic of Turkey. Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan fails to persuade Russia's Putin to return to Black Sea grain deal Russia withdrew from the deal two months ago after claiming the West was not keeping its side of the bargain by allowing for greater Russian agricultural exports. Turkey
Turkey's annual inflation rate nears 60% in August Turkey’s economy minister says the country’s struggle with runaway inflation will take time. Turkey
Analysis Greece-Turkey ties on upswing as FM set to visit, Cyprus tensions subside Turkey tries to dial down confrontations in the eastern Mediterranean before the Greek minister's visit as part of its push to improve relations with the West. By Ezgi Akin In Ankara, reporting on diplomacy, EU-Turkey ties, NATO
In Russia, Turkey's Erdogan seeks better ties with Putin, but distrust lingers The Turkish president wants to enhance his prestige by brokering a new grain deal but faces an uphill battle, with increasing distrust from Moscow over Ankara's ties with Ukraine, and posture inside NATO. Turkey
Russia hosts Turkey's Fidan, presses for guarantees on grain deal Turkey and Russia's foreign ministers haggled over a compromise for the revival of the Ukrainian grain deal ahead of the upcoming presidential summit next week. Turkey
Turkey’s Fidan to visit Russia as Ukraine's grain deal, Syria talks stall Ankara’s efforts to revive the Black Sea grain deal and stalled high level talks between Ankara and Damascus are expected to be high on the agenda of the talks between top Russian and Turkish diplomats. Turkey
US naval diplomacy reaches Turkey in latest sign of rapprochement The US Navy's largest aircraft carrier arrived in Antalya several days before President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is expected to meet Russia's Vladimir Putin in Sochi. Turkey
Erdogan to meet Putin in Sochi as Turkey looks to save Ukraine grain deal Revival of the vital grain deal will top the agenda of the Turkish and Russian presidents in Sochi, but experts believe Moscow's quick return to the agreement is unlikely. Turkey