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
Few dengbejs remain to sing Kurdish stories In the old city of Diyarbakir, a dengbej house was established for the few remaining Kurdish storytellers to gather and try to keep their tradition alive, although younger generations are resorting to pop culture to convey the people’s suffering. Syria
Depressed in Istanbul: Why are Turkey's young Islamist men feeling so blue? Senior Islamist pundits have highlighted painful challenges young Islamist men face in Turkey. Turkey
Is Turkey really committed to fighting IS? Turkey's striking harder at the PKK than at the Islamic State has raised concerns that it is pursuing the domestic political agenda of the Justice and Development Party to marginalize the Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party and gain sole control in early elections. Turkey
Has Turkey found world's oldest temple? A 12,000-year-old Stone Age temple discovered in southern Turkey is challenging conventional views on the rise of civilization. Turkey
Turkish private sector gears up for Iran push An end to international sanctions against Iran raises strong commercial prospects for Turkish companies on the Iranian market. Turkey
Is PKK real target of Turkish strikes? Turkey’s decision to open two fronts, against the Islamic State and the PKK, complicates US cooperation with Kurds in Syria. Iraq
Erdogan’s shift on Islamic State linked to Kurdish gains in Syria Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan finally takes on the Islamic State while attacking PKK bases in northern Iraq; Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu now the only US ally actively opposing Iran deal; Israel faces pressure to forgo demolition of Palestinian village. Palestine
Turkey drawn into vortex of violence A sudden escalation of attacks against police and the military after the Suruc suicide bombing prompts fears that the cease-fire with the Kurds has ended. Turkey
Does Turkey care about cultural diversity? More than 100 countries have endorsed a UN convention on protecting cultural diversity, but a decade after its inception, the convention still awaits ratification by the Turkish parliament. Turkey
Cyprus settlement could open trade routes for Turkey Should the peace talks in Cyprus result in the island’s reunification, the Turkish economy could benefit from Nicosia's close ties in the eastern Mediterranean. Turkey
Why are Turkey's televangelists talking about oral sex? Turkish imams and televangelists are becoming increasingly outspoken in their commentary and debates on permitted sexual practices. Turkey
Ankara turns blind eye to economic downturn Turkey’s economy is on a worrisome course as tourism and export revenues fall. Turkey