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’s Erdogan holds hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian, sparks online buzz A short video of Erdogan holding hands with Iran’s Pezeshkian at the SCO summit in China has captured global attention and stirred heated online reactions. Turkey
Turkish Tesla sales soar in August, surpassing European, Japanese rivals Elon Musk’s EV company sold 8,730 Model Ys in August, jumping 86% compared to July, according to data from Turkey’s Automotive Distributors and Mobility Association. Turkey
Turkey: CHP Istanbul head ousted as court escalates pressure on Ozel The court’s ruling has raised further challenges to the leadership of CHP chairman Ozgur Ozel, who led the party to victory in last year’s local elections. Turkey
Turkey, Armenia leaders eye cooperation as Azerbaijan peace process advances The meeting came after the Aug. 8 peace summit in Washington, hosted by US President Donald Trump, between Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan and Azerbaijan President Ilham Aliyev. Turkey
Analysis Turkey’s power play in Libya tests Greece’s red lines A naval visit, back-channel diplomacy and a budding Italy-Libya track reveal Ankara’s push to lock in its 2019 maritime deal. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Newsletter: Turkey Erdogan heads to China Turkey’s week was marked by escalating tensions with Israel over Gaza, shifting alliances in Libya and Syria, Erdogan’s push to join the China-led SCO and more. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture
After weeks of threats, is Turkey softening line on Syrian SDF? Turkey’s dialing down of rhetoric may be linked to ongoing Israel-Damascus security talks, an expert told Al-Monitor. Turkey
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Climate crisis on stage at Arkas Art Alaçatı Aegean Cuisine, Istanbul jazz nights and a prizewinning photo of Gaza. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey’s Erdogan to visit China for first time in five years for SCO summit The SCO summit comes as Ankara walks a tightrope between maintaining close ties with Washington and diversifying its foreign partnerships. Turkey
Turkey detains top execs of defense firm Assan in military espionage probe The company’s 10 subsidiaries have been placed under the control of Turkey's state-run Savings Deposit Insurance Fund. Turkey
Turkey delivers $460 million first batch of Steel Dome air defense system More than 40 units, including long- and short-range missile systems, radars and sensors, are ready for use as Ankara pushes for an integrated air defense, the Turkish president said. Turkey
Analysis Netanyahu makes ill-timed Armenian genocide nod as Yerevan courts Turkey Ankara accused the Israeli premier of exploiting history for political gain after he became the first Israeli leader to use the term genocide for the 1915 killings of Armenians. By Amberin Zaman Reporting on geopolitics, minorities, human rights, culture