Last year, Turkish Cultural Foundation allocated a total of $373,289 to grants, operational and program disbursements to pursue its mission. TCF continued to be a leading private grantmaker in the area of Turkish cultural preservation and promotion. In 2017, TCF provided a total of $52,724.81 in grants and fellowships to organizations and individuals. The TCF Fellowship programs help build artistic, cultural and scholarly exchanges across the globe. In 2017, TCF awarded six fellowships, bringing the total to 204 awards awards since we began the programs.

Twelve years ago, the music world lost a true visionary today. The American Turkish Society commemorates Ahmet Ertegun, (1923–2006) co-founder & president of Atlantic Records, philanthropist and long-standing Chairman of The American Turkish Society.

A Turkish official says Sean Penn is in Turkey working on a documentary about the slaying of journalist Jamal Khashoggi at the Saudi consulate in Istanbul. Yasin Aktay, an adviser to Turkey's president, said Thursday that the two-time Oscar winner interviewed him in Ankara as part of his 'preliminary preparations' for the documentary before leaving for Istanbul where he was due to meet with Khashoggi's Turkish fiancee. The 58-year-old Hollywood actor has been in Turkey working on the death of the Washington Post columnist who was critical of the Saudi crown prince. Khashoggi was killed by Saudi agents on October 2 after arriving to handle routine paperwork.

Coca-Cola Co. KO, +0.61% said Thursday Chairman Muhtar Kent plans to retire in April, after about 10 years in the role. Kent also served as chief executive officer of the Coke parent from 2009 to 2017, when he was succeeded by current CEO James Quincey in May 2017. The beverage giant said Quincey has been elected to become chairman after the company's annual meeting in April 2019. The stock fell 1.7% in morning trade. It has gained 6.2% year to date, while the Dow Jones Industrial Average DJIA, -0.22% has lost 1.9%.