Turkey plays down tensions with Israel

Turkey urged Israeli officials to use “common sense” Monday as it tried to play down diplomatic tensions between the two countries over joint military exercises. “It is wrong to derive a political meaning or conclusion from the postponing of the international part of the exercise,” the Turkish Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

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23 feared dead as devastating floods hit Turkey

At least 23 people were feared dead on Wednesday after two days of torrential rains triggered flash floods in northwestern Turkey, sweeping cars into the sea and sending gushing water into homes and businesses. Sixteen people were believed to have been killed in Istanbul province and five in neighboring Tekirdag province, according to provincial officials

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Gas pipe deal aims to end Russia’s monopoly

Officials from six countries gathered Monday in Turkey and signed a deal to build a U.S.-backed pipeline, aimed at breaking Russia’s near-monopoly on natural gas supplies to Europe. The proposed Nabucco pipeline would run from Turkey’s eastern border, through Bulgaria, Romania and Hungary, to a key gas terminal in Baumgarten, Austria. Germany is also a partner in the deal, which is being signed in the Turkish capital, Ankara.

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