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France 24
France 24
World
Sharon GAFFNEY

Istanbul blast: PKK denies involvement after Turkey points finger

MIDDLE EAST MATTERS © FRANCE 24

Turkey says it plans to pursue targets in northern Syria following the blast that killed six people and injured more than 80 others in Istanbul on November 13. Ankara blames Kurdish militants for the attack and has detained a Syrian woman they believe to be the suspected bomber. No group has claimed responsibility for the attack and both the Turkish PKK and Kurdish-led Syrian Democratic Forces deny any involvement. For more, we talk to Yavuz Baydar, editor-in-chief of the independent news website Ahval.

Meanwhile, Qatar is coming under intense pressure over its human rights record and treatment of migrant workers, but also over its restrictive social laws. Qatar says all are welcome at the upcoming World Cup, regardless of their sexual orientation. But the host nation is also asking football fans to respect the country's conservative culture, in which all public displays of affection are frowned upon. Same-sex relationships are illegal, while drinking alcohol or being drunk in public is also an offence. Our France 2 colleagues take a closer look at the restrictions supporters can expect, with FRANCE 24's James Mulholland.

Finally, in Gaza, more than two million people are effectively cut off from the rest of the world due to the blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt. Amid soaring unemployment, many try to leave the Strip by way of illegal smugglers. But others are choosing to make the dangerous voyage themselves by sea, with just flippers and a wetsuit. FRANCE 24's Maha Al Kas reports, with Achren Verdian and Catherine Khédir-Clifford. 

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