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
Why does Erdogan want nuclear weapons? President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has for the first time made his nuclear ambitions public, arguing that it is unacceptable for Turkey to not have nuclear weapons while other countries do. Israel
Syrians ready to flee to Turkey as soon as border opens Syrians recently protested in Idlib, calling on Turkey to open a humanitarian corridor so they can escape the government shelling. Syria
Why Turkey's rappers can no longer stay silent In a 15-minute-long song aptly titled "#ICannotBeSilent," Turkish rappers take turns expressing their woes on issues such as justice, freedom, environment, abuse and exile. Turkey
Putin can’t save Erdogan from Idlib quagmire The Russian president ultimately sees Bashar al-Assad as the solution to Turkey’s border crisis, but is playing a long game. Syria
Crisis-hit Turkey suffers erosion in investments Turkey’s economic downturn has been marked by a dramatic decline in investments, both private and public, bearing heavily on joblessness. Turkey
Failure to reign in Idlib jihadists makes trouble for Turkey A year after the Sochi agreement, the situation in Syria’s northwest remains as tense as ever. Syria
Erdogan hints at nuclear ambitions Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan has expressed interest in acquiring nuclear weapons, and while international treaties would make the feat difficult to accomplish, his rhetoric implies shifting global ambitions. Turkey
UNESCO-listed Anatolian town gets contemporary museum The Odunpazari Modern Museum aims to develop the cultural offer in the Anatolian town of Eskisehir. Turkey
Erdogan warns of 'annihilation' in Syria’s Idlib Turkey’s president is lamenting the bombardment of Syria’s last opposition bastion as the latest cease-fire is tested and trapped civilians may be forced to flee across the border. Syria
US calls on Russia to cease Idlib fight amid terror strikes The Pentagon called for Russia to halt its offensive into Syria’s Idlib province as the United States launched strikes into the contested region aimed at al-Qaeda leaders. Syria
Key economic data suggests Turkey turning corner Slowing inflation and a smaller-than-expected contraction in the economy could mean Turkey is emerging from a year-long downturn. Turkey
Daring new TV show offers close glimpse into mysterious Ankara nightlife Nightclubs, or pavyons as they are called in Turkish, form a well-known but evasive culture with its extravagance and debauchery in Turkey's capital. Turkey