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
How Turkey’s televangelists gain money, mockery Religious leaders who allegedly receive astronomical sums for preaching Islam raise questions about the basics of faith and social practices in Turkey. Turkey
Will Turkey’s plan to bring in billions succeed? Scrambling to lure funds from abroad, the Turkish government has outlined unprecedented incentives for those who put money in Turkey, including Panama-style advantages and Turkish citizenship. Turkey
Ankara’s IS militants return home In one of the Islamic State’s main recruitment grounds in Turkey, about half of the recruits have returned home, but experts warn that the organization’s appeal is far from over. Syria
Erdogan’s latest wake-up call on Islamic State The Obama administration weighs deeper coordination with Moscow against Jabhat al-Nusra; Erdogan’s slow turnaround on Syria policy; Hamas seeks to resume ties with Iran. Palestine
Could Turkish-Israeli reconciliation eventually end Gaza siege? The reconciliation agreement between Israel and Turkey has been modestly welcomed in the Gaza Strip, as Palestinians hope it will lead the way to the end of the blockade. Palestine
Welcome to the most vulnerable country to terrorism As long as the Turkish government does not attach priority to the fight against IS, Turkey will remain the most vulnerable country in the world. Syria
As bloodshed plagues Turkey, politicians enjoy full security A wave of terrorist attacks in Turkey has claimed hundreds of innocent lives, but never the armchairs of government and security officials. Turkey
Forgotten Ottoman Eid traditions make comeback in Turkey Although Turks cannot agree on the name of the holiday, all agree to keep Ramadan traditions alive in modern times. Turkey
Did Turkey abandon Hamas in Israel deal? As Hamas absorbs the aftermath of the Turkish-Israeli agreement, some wonder whether Turkey should be blamed for failing to lift the siege on Gaza. Palestine
Battle for Syria's Manbij may redraw local alliances The Syrian Democratic Forces are leading the battle to liberate Manbij, close to the Turkish border, which pushed Turkey to warn the Kurds about expanding their influence in their areas of control. Syria
What Israel's payoff for Turkish civilians means for Palestinians Now that Israel has agreed to compensate the families of the Mavi Marmara casualties it calls terrorists, Palestinians are hoping to advance their own claims for compensation. Palestine
After 20-year break, these Iranian Kurds are taking up arms again In a surprise development, the Kurdistan Democratic Party of Iran, which has not used guns against the Iranian regime for 20 years, has resumed fighting, reportedly instigated by regional powers. Iraq