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
New gas fields add more heat to already simmering Mediterranean The recent gas discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean Sea have given the concerned countries, mainly Egypt, Turkey and Israel, a new urgency in settling their maritime border disputes. Egypt
An immigrant himself, Chobani yogurt founder becomes icon for refugees A Kurdish immigrant from Turkey, Hamdi Ulukaya became the founder and CEO of the top-selling Greek yogurt in the United States and has now pledged to donate much of his wealth to refugees. Turkey
Palestinians look to Turkey for substance, not show Although Turkey got its share of praise as the Palestinian flag was raised at the UN, Palestinians are still waiting for practical moves affecting their lives. Palestine
Ahead of elections, Turkey clamps down on press freedom The Turkish government’s mounting pressure on mainstream and opposition media ahead of the Nov. 1 elections results in a physical assault on a popular journalist. Turkey
The changing fabric of foreign companies in Turkey The number of European companies in Turkey has stagnated, while the number of Asian companies is booming. Syria
For Turkey’s Greek minority, an island school provides fresh hope A Greek school on an Aegean island in Turkey has reopened after half a century, raising hopes that Turkey’s dwindling Greek minority will escape extinction. Turkey
PYD leader: Russia will stop Turkey from intervening in Syria Speaking in an exclusive interview with Al-Monitor, PYD leader Salih Muslim says Russia will prevent Turkey from intervening in Syria. Syria
Is Turkey's military returning to politics? There are many and varied opinions about whether the military plans to intervene in Turkey's politics. Turkey
Davutoglu proposes refugee 'container city' Davutoglu, while advocating a container city for refugees in a safe zone, is ignoring the serious risks it would entail. Syria
Why have PKK cemeteries become a target? Kurdish militants in Turkey are accused of using cemeteries as military bases and ammunition depots. Turkey
Why one Arab Knesset member provoked Israeli police on the Temple Mount The outburst by Knesset member Jamal Zahalka on the Temple Mount this week reveals the dangerous game he is playing at the sacred site, staging himself as a victim while world leaders gather at UN headquarters. Palestine
Turkey's Middle East policy 'fiasco' Ankara wants to set up three cities for refugees on the Syrian side of the border with EU funds, but suspicions linger about its true intentions. Turkey