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 treads cautiously on Sudan, wary of betting on wrong horse Having avoided a crisis in its ties with Sudan after Bashir’s ouster, Ankara is now refraining from taking sides in an escalating conflict between the country’s military leaders. Turkey
Earthquake, refugees, Assad may be keys to Turkey's election Also, new era of Iran-Gulf cooperation could spill over into energy (PRO). Turkey
Turkey's 3.5 million expats vote in high numbers as HDP endorses Kilicdaroglu The millions of Turkish nationals residing abroad have begun heading to the ballot boxes, and their absentee ballots could sway the outcome of the crucial May 14 polls. Turkey
Syrian refugees abused, shot at by Turkey's border guards: HRW report Syrian refugees are under mounting pressure in Turkey as the president seeks to mend ties with the Syrian government. Syria
Turkey's central bank keeps interest rate at 8.5%, citing inflation The decision will be the bank’s final before Turkey’s crucial election in May. Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan makes video appearance following health scare After canceling a series of campaign events and travel over the past two days due to a health issue, Turkey's president seemed to be recovered but fatigued in a video appearance. Turkey
Turkey inks $321 million deal with Romania for Bayraktar military drones Ukraine has had considerable success using the drone against Russia since Moscow's invasion last year. Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan cancels campaign travel after health scare Despite earlier claims that the president's televised health scare was "a mild inconvenience," Recep Tayyip Erdogan has taken the day off from active campaigning and will attend a high-profile ceremony at Turkey's new power plant through a video link on Thursday. Turkey
Al-Monitor/Premise poll: Turkey’s election in dead heat, Erdogan and Kilicdaroglu tied at 45% An exclusive poll across Turkey showed economy as top issue for voters, followed by corruption and refugees. But many young voters are still undecided in the final stretch of the race. Turkey
Turkey, Syria defense chiefs meet in Russia, discuss ‘normalization' The Moscow meeting was described as “positive” by both sides since Syrian-Turkish rapprochement took off last year. Turkey
Turkey imposes 130% tariff on grain imports The move follows a tariff on electric vehicles and comes ahead of Turkey’s crucial elections. Turkey
Turkey detains Kurdish figures ahead of vital polls At least 126 politicians, journalists, lawyers and artists have been detained in an operation that observers call an intimidation tactic before the May 14 elections. Turkey