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
Why is AKP losing the Kurds? As Erdogan fatigue intensifies, the AKP’s political, economic and campaign failures have cost them loyal Kurdish support. Turkey
Turkish civic society mobilizes against election fraud Turkish civic groups such as Vote and Beyond prepare for stringent monitoring of the June 7 elections, given that even minuscule vote-rigging could have a huge impact on the country’s future. Turkey
Modern Turkish baths not just for scrubbing Turkish baths are enjoying a revival among trendy urbanites with modern amenities and services. Turkey
Sales of Turkish property to foreign buyers reaches $4.3B in 2014 Foreign real estate purchases in Turkey have reached more than $16 billion over the past six years, hitting an all-time annual high last year. Turkey
Turkey restricts academic research on Syrian refugees Turkey's Interior Ministry now requires academics to get prior approval before conducting research on the country's 2 million Syrian refugees. Syria
Morsi death sentence fuels media controversy The death sentence against ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi has sparked a fresh controversy in Turkey, stoking government pressure on already muzzled media outlets. Egypt
Erdogan’s presidential dreams hang by thread With less than a fortnight left to go before the June 7 legislative polls, polls show that the Justice and Development Party's share of the vote will slip from the record 49% that it received in 2011. Turkey
Is Turkey arming radical groups in Syria? A trial of gendarmerie officers and prosecutors in Istanbul is producing embarrassing revelations for the government. Syria
AKP claims God is on its side Liberals and others should be concerned about AKP rhetoric proclaiming that God, the nation and history is on its side and that a vote for an opposing party is the mark of an infidel. Turkey
Is Islamic State 'secondary priority' for Saudi Arabia? Riyadh is preoccupied with the military campaign in Yemen; Velayati tells Lebanese officials there will be no deal on Assad; the Turkish opposition party is under attack ahead of June 7 elections. Saudi Arabia
Turkish NGO helps mothers return to work Turkish women are poorly represented in the workforce, but a new foundation aims to change that. Turkey
Media mogul declares his 'masculine love' to Erdogan Stiff competition among AKP partisans for extreme manifestations of adoration for President Recep Tayyip Erdogan are rewarded in pre-election season. Turkey