The Bridges of Hope Project (BOHP) supported educational development by building 12 elementary school libraries, each containing 300 - 350 books, in selected towns and villages throughout Turkey in 2013. In addition, every student was given a popular science book published by TUBITAK, the Scientific and Technological Research Council of Turkey, to inspire young minds in the fields of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.

Dr. Mehmet Oz featured on the cover of the NJ Top Docs magazine, "Healthy Living". This high-end issue is complete with glossy pages featuring large photos of the NJ Top Docs approved doctors as well as descriptions of their practices. With the success of the prior issues, the “Top Docs” issue is bound to be the most comprehensive edition to date. While the “Top Doctors” issue was built very similar to the “Top Surgeons” and “Top Dentists” that came before it, this magazine features a very familiar face on its cover. Dr. Mehmet Oz is a highly praised cardiothoracic surgeon, author, and television personality with a large and loyal following.

The owner of Godiva chocolates is dipping deeper into the candy business. Yildiz Holding, the Istanbul-based food and beverage company that has several brands including Godiva, has agreed to purchase DeMet’s Candy Company, the maker of Turtles chocolates, from the private equity firm Brynwood Partners for $221 million.

TASSA launches a new award to recognize the achievements of young Turkish American scholars, as part of its 2014 Annual Meeting. The scholars are invited to submit a nomination (including self-nominations) for the inaugural TASSA Young Scholar Awards. The deadline is on January 6, 2014. The nomination package should include the nominee's latest CV along with one article (already published in the literature or a working manuscript) that exemplifies the best work of the nominee. Each winner will receive an Award Certificate at the conference, and is expected to deliver a short oral presentation during the TASSA Annual Meeting, to be held at the University of Maryland, College Park, on March 22-23, 2014.