Deadly blast in Istanbul

At least 17 people were killed and over 150 injured in two explosions in Turkey's capital Istanbul last night.

The first explosion occurred in a rubbish bin in the Gungoren area of the city. The second then occurred as crowds gathered to view the scene.

The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) has not changed its travel advice for Turkey as a result of this latest bombing but continues to warn of a "high threat from terrorism" in the country.

No British nationals are thought to have been among the casualties, the FCO has said.

No one has claimed responsibility for the blasts yet but the Turkish security services have been quoted as saying the attacks resemble the actions of Kurdish rebels.

Turkey's constitutional court is due to consider whether the ruling AK Party should be banned for anti-secular activities and the intention of creating an Islamist state.