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 untroubled by conflict with Egypt, UAE in Libya Ankara believes a large-scale Egyptian ground operation is highly unlikely in Libya, considering the likely dynamics of power struggles in the skies of Sirte and al-Jufra, between tribes in southern Libya and on air and naval logistical routes between Libya and Turkey. Egypt
Istanbul's Hagia Sophia holds first Friday prayers since reconversion to mosque Is Turkey's reconversion of the Hagia Sophia into a mosque a politically expedient decision or part of Turkey’s growing global assertiveness? Turkey
Intel: Russia may be reinforcing Libya’s Sirte ahead of expected offensive The US military has released new aerial surveillance images purporting to show additional Russian military equipment in Libya in the latest sign the Kremlin may be gearing up to help Gen. Khalifa Hifter defend the strategic city of Sirte. Turkey
How has Russia forced Turkey to compromise on Libya? The July 22 Turkish-Russian joint statement on Libya shows Moscow has succeeded in forcing Ankara to compromise. Turkey
Turkey, Russia agree to work for truce in Libya as regional rivalry heats up Despite backing opposing sides, Moscow and Russia have pledged to work toward a cease-fire in the North African country in a conflict that is fueling a complex maze of rivalries across the region. Turkey
Is Erdogan’s ability to turn superpower rivalry to advantage diminishing? The only thing Ankara can rely on is that the US-Russian conflict will grow to the point where the need to work with Turkey will override any antipathy felt for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his government. Turkey
Is this the end of Turkish secularism? Radical Islamist ideas are not only winning out in Turkey, but getting cheerful approval from the last remnants of the secular establishment. Turkey
Netflix Turkey cancels new series with gay character after government pressure Netflix Turkey's decision to cancel a series with a gay character due to government pressure indicates that LGBTI+ society and rights are increasingly coming into the government's crosshairs. Turkey
Intel: House passes bill forcing Trump to sanction Turkey over Russian missiles The House passed legislation today that would force President Donald Trump to slap sanctions on Turkey over its purchase of the Russian S-400 missile defense system. Turkey
Can Erdogan push for his 'crazy project' amid economic crisis? The Turkish government's decision to rezone some agricultural lands in the vicinity of the area where the Canal Istanbul is to be built has rekindled controversy surrounding the project. Turkey
Erdogan: Turkey will stay in Syria until the 'people are free' The Turkish president's comments follow parliamentary elections in Syria over the weekend that critics described as a farce. Syria
Murder of Turkish woman sparks nationwide protests The murder of a Turkish woman sparks protests across the nation as government officials consider withdrawing from a convention designed to combat violence against women. Turkey