Possible al Qaida cell
The week's news at a glance.
Istanbul
The Islamic-militant cell behind last week’s attack on a Masonic lodge in Istanbul may be linked to al Qaida, the city’s mayor said this week. Muammer Guler said that 18 people had been arrested in connection with the attack, in which two suicide bombers stormed the lodge while 40 Masons were eating dinner. One bomber blew himself up, injuring five lodge members, while the other’s explosives failed to go off. Some of the detainees were trained in Pakistan and Afghanistan. “We do not yet know if these camps were al Qaida camps,” Guler said, “but you know the influence al Qaida has there.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
What has the Dalai Lama achieved?
The Explainer Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader has just turned 90, and he has been clarifying his reincarnation plans
-
Europe's heatwave: the new front line of climate change
In the Spotlight How will the continent adapt to 'bearing the brunt of climate change'?
-
Crossword: July 13, 2025
The Week's daily crossword puzzle