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
Turks link Armenia to US foes in bid to derail genocide nod Ankara's allies raise concerns with Yerevan's ties to Iran and Russia. Turkey
AKP readies diversion as genocide anniversary nears Under the Justice and Development Party, Turkey has refused to face the Armenian question and is instead working to redirect the world's attention. Turkey
Disabled Turks protest benefit cuts A legal amendment cutting financial support for people with disabilities has sparked a wave of protests in Turkey, with a big demonstration scheduled for May outside parliament. Turkey
Turkey commemorates Holocaust, ignores Armenian issue Istanbul commemorated Jewish musicians who continued to create even when persecuted by the Nazis, in a ceremony reflecting the Turkish policy line of tolerance vis-a-vis minorities, as long as the question of Armenian genocide is not raised. Israel
Turkish soldiers target villagers' mules Mules belonging to villagers living in the sensitive Uludere area have been shot by the Turkish military in its fight against what the state defines as smuggling and the locals see as legitimate trade over the Iraqi border. Iraq
Erdogan rethinks sectarian politics Ankara is showing signs of moving away from sectarian leanings and perhaps back to its historic neutral stance in the region. Turkey
How will Turkey explain $4.3 billion in unidentified foreign currency? Is it a coincidence that an unexpected gush of foreign funds from unidentified sources occurs in election periods? Turkey
AKP's stance on Armenians worries Christians The AKP's initial attempts to normalize with Armenia had melted some of the frost with the region's Christians. But Arab uprisings where Christians were targeted by radical groups supported by Turkey shattered that positive atmosphere. Turkey
Turkish army clashes with PKK The Turkish government is accused of deploying troops in a plan to break the cease-fire with the Kurdistan Workers Party. Turkey
Turkey angered by pope's use of 'G-word’ Turkey also now worries that US President Barack Obama will follow Pope Francis and address the issue of the Armenian genocide 100 years ago. Turkey
Turkish students' Jedi temple protest Students in Turkey are mobilizing anonymously by using clever online petition tools to advocate for the construction of Buddhist and Jedi temples on campus. Turkey
How does the AKP pick its candidates? The ruling Justice and Development Party's list of candidates for the Turkish parliament is based on simple criteria: loyalty and obedience to the president. Turkey