The Latest Breaking News from Istanbul

Istanbul (AFP) - Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan said Monday he was mulling going beyond air strikes and launching a ground operation in Syria following a deadly rocket strike on a Turkish border town.

From cafes in Erbil to pubs in Istanbul and stadiums in Gaza City, fans gathered as the World Cup kicked off in Qatar.

In Turkey, the political and diplomatic fallout continues after a deadly bombing on Istiklal Avenue in Istanbul. Turkey blames Kurdish militants backed by the United States for the attack, which comes months before fraught elections. On Saturday, Bulgarian prosecutors charged five people in connection with the blast.

Bulgarian prosecutors have charged five people for supporting terrorist acts in connection with an explosion in central Istanbul that killed six people on Nov. 13, the country's chief prosecutor Ivan Geshev said on Saturday.

The recent developments within the Muslim Brotherhood, which Egypt classifies as a terrorist organization, have preoccupied the political circles, especially with the battle over leadership. The competition became apparent after the recent decisions that led to establishment of two administrations and two acting guides in London and Istanbul.

Sunday’s Istanbul bombing, which Turkey has blamed on the PKK, could lead to Ankara fulfilling its threat to attack.

Turkey's state-run news agency says a court has ordered 17 suspects jailed pending trial in connection with a deadly street bombing in Istanbul last weekend

A Turkish court ordered the pre-trial detention of 17 people suspected of being involved in an explosion this week in central Istanbul that killed six people, the state-owned Anadolu news agency said on Friday.

Here’s a round-up of Al Jazeera’s Middle East coverage this week.