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Israel and Turkey End Six-year Stand-off with Deal on Gaza Flotilla Killings

The Mavi Marmara arriving in Istanbul in 2010 Credit: Mustafa Ozer/AFP

Israel and Turkey have finalised a deal to end the six-year diplomatic rift that began when Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010. The agreement, which came after months of negotiations and encouragement by the US, restores full diplomatic ties between the two countries and opens the path for a major natural gas deal. Israel agreed to pay $20 million (£14.8 million) in compensation to the families of the dead and wounded activists and in return the families agreed to drop any future claims against the Israeli military.

June 27, 2016
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Chobani Makes Its First Move Out Of The Dairy Aisle

Chobani is a name that has become synonymous with Greek yogurt. But the New York based company is hoping to soon be known for its snack dips as well. To promote its new line of Meze dips, Chobani rented a $12 million townhouse in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan and then transformed the luxury home into a lush habitat of indoor gardens, walls and chandeliers covered in vegetation, and of course, a full stock of Chobani products.

June 24, 2016
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New Orleans Pelicans Should Consider Trading Omer Asik with their 6th Draft Pick

Though the New Orleans Pelicans finished with a mediocre 30-52 record, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow with Anthony Davis on the roster. However, chances are his job would be significantly easier were he not weighted down by several teammates. One such player standing front and center is Omer Asik. Now that the NBA season has crowned a champion, it is officially the start of the off-season for all 30 teams. All locker rooms outside of Cleveland will look to improve on their recent campaigns in hopes of challenging the Cavaliers starting next October.

June 24, 2016
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The Man Who Changes Lives

? UNHCR/Andrew McConnell

TORBALI, Turkey – One man can change lives. Just ask the Syrian refugees in Torbali, near Izmir, about the work of Levent Topçu. Levent, known to the refugees simply by his first name, is the 52-year-old general manager of Ege, a Turkish company that makes leather goods and employs 60 people. More important, he is part of a group of Facebook friends who created an association to help people in need, including some of the 2.7 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. Levent and his friends, with some help from UNHCR, have transformed the existence of more than 100 people here. Three months ago, his group renovated an abandoned building, making it suitable for several families to live in. Then Levent went to the miserable shelters and tents put up by refugees next to the fields where they worked.