Steel factory explosion in western Turkey kills at least 16 Footage from the scene showed a huge plume of thick smoke spreading into the sky as flames engulfed a tall structure within the plant. Turkey
Analysis Will Democrats block Trump’s push to deliver Turkey F-35s, lift sanctions? Democratic control of Congress complicates Turkey’s push for F-35s and sanctions relief, but Ankara remains hopeful Trump can still broker a deal. By Barin Kayaoglu In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security
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
No breakthrough in Syria possible without Iran Russian foreign minister dismisses rumors of a deal on Assad ahead of Syria talks; Hezbollah takes casualties in Hama; Turkey’s headache over US support for Syrian Kurds; days of rage in Gaza. Palestine
Will Black Sea cuisine be Erdogan's lasting legacy? Once looked down on as bland and basic, Black Sea cuisine flourishes in Istanbul as a nutritional and exotic option. Turkey
Schools in crisis in Turkey’s southeast Violent unrest in Turkey’s mainly Kurdish southeast has disrupted schools and education. Turkey
Unraveling Islamic State’s Turkish recruitment scheme The recent Ankara bombing is being blamed on a suicide bomber unit of the Islamic State, known as Dokumacilar, recruited from Turkey’s southeastern province of Adiyaman. Syria
Would you like your terror straight up or as a cocktail? Turkey's Justice and Development Party hopes to boost its image by casting aspersions and creating terror conspiracies. Syria
What do Israelis want more than all-inclusive Turkish holidays? A new survey indicates that Israelis are keen to restore relations with Turkey, mainly to battle the Islamic State. Israel
How Turkey is planning for Assad-led transition in Syria Ankara, still blurry, now agrees to name Bashar al-Assad ‘honorary president’ for six months. Syria
AKP accused of cooking books before elections Critics are claiming Turkey's ruling party has manipulated financial figures to paint a rosy economic picture ahead of the Nov. 1 snap elections. Turkey
Ankara’s PYD headache There is little Turkey can do at this stage to prevent Kurdish advances in northern Syria as they receive munitions to battle the Islamic State. Syria
At a cost of $500 million each month, Turkey staggers under growing refugee burden Turkey’s spending on refugees has soared by an astonishing $1.5 billion in three months, and that figure doesn't include many other related costs. Syria
Turkish religious scholar says 'masturbation is imperative and necessary' A conference on religious healing, often known as prophetic medicine, held under the auspices of the Turkish premier’s wife, discussed the incorporation of Islamic teachings into the medical field and sexual proclivities. Turkey
How Turkey is leveraging the Kurds By threatening Syrian Kurds, Turkey is settling accounts with its ally, the United States, and trade partner Russia. Syria