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
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul Biennial season in Istanbul: following the three-legged cat From Elif Uras’ ceramics to a Kadikoy café with a resident cat. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkish state takes over Haberturk TV, 120 other firms in fraud probe The move effectively increases Turkish authorities’ control further over Turkey’s mainstream media. Turkey
Turkey's FM heads to Italy amid rising tensions with Greece over EastMed, Libya The top Turkish diplomat is set to meet with his Italian counterpart, as Ankara seeks deeper cooperation with Rome amid a rivalry with Greece and ongoing Libya diplomacy. Turkey
Turkish, Armenian envoys to meet Wednesday amid renewed peace push The sixth round of Turkish-Armenian normalization talks will follow the Washington peace summit between Armenia and Azerbaijan, which is expected to inject fresh momentum into reconciliation efforts. Turkey
Turkish police storm CHP's Istanbul office as clashes erupt with lawmakers Scuffles have erupted inside and outside the CHP’s Istanbul headquarters following last week’s dismissal of the party’s provincial head and 10 people have been detained. Turkey
Analysis Turkey's Steel Dome air defense system: Game changer or work in progress? The delivery of 47 domestically built air defense vehicles highlights Ankara’s deepening defense prowess, yet experts warn of production bottlenecks and integration challenges. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
Analysis After setbacks in Syria and Turkish gains in Libya, Russia scrambles to retain Mediterranean sway Moscow faces growing challenges coordinating in Libya and sustaining its regional presence after losing its key Syrian ally and confronting Ankara’s expanding influence. By Anton Mardasov
Newsletter: City Pulse Istanbul From anguish to stillness: Sarkis returns Dialogues, antique tables to autumn leaves. By Nazlan Ertan In Izmir and Istanbul, reporting on culture
Turkey resumes flights to Libya's Misrata as Ankara courts Tripoli, Hifter The first direct flight from Istanbul to Misrata since 2015 underscores Turkey’s efforts to maintain good relations with the Tripoli government as well as its eastern-based rival. Turkey
Turkey's Erdogan acknowledges 'alarming' rise in violence against women After one of the deadliest months for femicides, the Turkish president highlights the country’s surge in violence against women but provides little reassurance to rights groups. Turkey
Syria seizes Captagon with Turkish backing amid drug trade boom The new Islamist government in Syria has prioritized dismantling the Captagon trade, but the industry is still thriving. Syria
Turkey's trade deficit falls to lowest level in nearly four years: What to know Turkey’s trade deficit in August shrank to $4.17 billion, its lowest level in 46 months, Trade Minister Omer Bolat said. Turkey