On April 12, Grassroots Day, the Turkish Coalition of America (TCA) will host ATAA, FTAA and TACC local chapter leaders at the TCA's new office building near the White House, for a day of training in public advocacy. On April 13, 2012, Leadership Day, which will take place at the Washington Plaza Hotel, we will delve into the intricacies of US-Turkish relations and public advocacy. On April 14, 2012, Young Turks Day, Current TV's "Young Turks" talk show host, Cenk Uygur, will provide a program on how to take advantage of your Turkish culture in your advocacy efforts. European Union Turkish politician Hande Bozatli will discuss youth and women's empowerment movements.
By Marthe Fourcade - Amgen Inc. (AMGN), the world’s largest biotechnology company, agreed to buy closely held Mustafa Nevzat Pharmaceuticals for almost $700 million to expand in Turkey, where economic growth is boosting demand for medicines. Amgen will pay cash to get 95.6 percent of Mustafa Nevzat, or MN Pharmaceuticals as the Istanbul-based generic-drug maker is known, the companies said in a joint statement. The transaction will boost Amgen’s presence in a region that has “large, fast-growing, priority markets,” they said. 
Following the world's richest businessman Carlos Slim, another Ottoman descendent is planning to come to Turkey. Brazilian millionaire Joseph Safra, whose ancestors used to trade in Istanbul, has supposedly now set his sights on Turkey. Turkey, which has fast become a highly desirable destination for both European and Asian investors, has now piqued the interest of Latin Americans. After Carlos Slim, the world's richest businessman with a fortune worth 69 billion dollars, another Lebanese-rooted Ottoman descendent is seeking out investments in Turkey. 
Magic SF Hedo Turkoglu on Tuesday was fitted for a protective mask he will wear if he can return to play in the postseason. Turkoglu underwent surgery to repair fractures to his right cheekbone April 7. The Magic are hoping to have him back in time for the playoffs, which could start for the club either Saturday or Sunday. He did not take part in the contact portion of practice, but shot baskets and worked on some moves with an assistant coach after the Magic's workout on Tuesday. 
Sen. Jeff Klein, D-Bronx, yesterday announced with talk-show host Dr. Mehmet Oz, a cardiothoracic surgeon, that he is sponsoring legislation to ban designer drugs that have been formulated to mimic the effects of Ecstasy, LSD, Ketamine and other controlled substances. They are not regulated under current law and are readily available online. 
Valhalla Resources Ltd. ("Valhalla" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has formalized the Letter of Intent signed in March (see news release #1 dated March 15th, 2012 entitled "Valhalla announces strategic alliance in Turkey") with Kenz Madencilik Sanayi Ve Ticaret Limited Sirketi, ("Kenz Mining"). Valhalla and Kenz will be pursuing opportunities in Turkey. 
Z Realty Group, LLC was established in 2009 by Zeynep "Z" Ekemen, New Jersey's only woman-owned full-service commercial real estate brokerage firm specializing in Investment Sales, Industrial Properties, Owner Representation, Real Estate Development, Retail Leasing and Built-to-Suit Leases and Sales. The firm provides a relationship-driven approach to structuring and marketing properties. They currently represent over 1,000,000 square feet of commercial space with two office locations in Fort Lee, NJ and Istanbul, Turkey. 
The U.S. Department of Commerce announced that international visitors spent an estimated $13.3 billion on travel to, and tourism-related activities within, the United States during the month of February nearly $1.6 billion more, or a 14 percent increase from spending in February 2011. Year to date, U.S. travel and tourism exports have grown more than 11 percent in 2012.
Bilateral trade between the United States and Turkey reached a record level of $20 billion last year. The United States and Turkey have for six decades enjoyed a close political and military relationship. But our economic and business partnership has lagged behind until recently. During President Barack Obama’s 2009 trip to Turkey, he and Turkish President Abdullah Gul agreed to advance our commercial partnership to the level of our diplomatic and strategic defense relationship. 
Washington Township High School Art Teacher Sybil Cohen has been selected to participate in the 14th Annual Okumus/T.A.F.S.U.S. (Turkish American Friendship Society of the United States) 2012 Fellowships. As one of three educators selected from the Philadelphia area by the World Affairs Council, Cohen will take part in a 16-day study tour of Turkey from July 15-30, 2012. Made possible through a grant from the Mehmet Dogan Okumus Charitable Trust, participants’ studies will include highlights from Anatolia’s civilizations including Istanbul, Ankara, Cappadocia, Konya, Pamukkale, Aphrodisias, Kusadasi, Pergamum. Ephesus, Gallipoli and Troy. 
Kosovo Deputy Prime Minister Mimoza Kusari Lila has said her country will sign a free trade agreement (FTA) with Turkey. Speaking to businesspeople in Bursa at an event organized by the Association of Industrialists and Businessmen of Rumeli (RUMELİSİAD) on Sunday, Lila also noted that Kosovo can serve as a good production hub for Turkish entrepreneurs who want to expand their clientele on the larger European continent. 
Neslisah Osmanoglu, an Ottoman princess who married an Egyptian prince and was twice forced into exile when both royal households were abolished, has died in Istanbul on Monday, April 2, 2012. The princess, 91,was the oldest member of the Ottoman dynasty. Neslisah Sultan was born in Istanbul on Feb. 4, 1921, two years before the Turkish Republic replaced the Ottoman Empire, which had ruled Turkey, parts of the Middle East and eastern Europe for 600 years. 
In 1451, Constantinople, the last outpost of the Eastern Roman Empire, was all that stood between consolidation of the Ottoman Empire from Turkey across the Bosporus to the Balkans. The cold war of its time, tensions simmered since the birth of Islam—and roiled the splintered Christian factions of the West. 
