Leading Turkish businessman Mehmet Ali Yalçındağ has been elected as the new head of the Turkish-American Business Council (TAİK). In a general assembly election of the Turkish Foreign Economic Relations Board (DEİK) on Jan. 11, new presidents were elected to 66 of the 142 business councils. “The political, economic and trade ties between Turkey and the U.S. have run in different gears from time to time. As the representatives of the business world, our main aim is to minimize the differences in point of views and priorities,” Yalçındağ told Hürriyet Daily News, adding that TAİK would work to boost bilateral relations.

By Kerry A. Dolan and Luisa Kroll - Forbes - It was another record year for the wealthiest people in America, as the price of admission to the country’s most exclusive club jumped nearly 18%. The minimum net worth to make The Forbes 400 list of richest Americans is now a record $2 billion, up from $1.7 billion a year ago. The group’s total net worth climbed to $2.7 trillion, up from $2.4 trillion, and the average net worth rose to $6.7 billion, up from $6 billion. 

The United States and Turkey lifted all visa restrictions on Thursday after Washington said Ankara had kept to assurances no further U.S. mission staff would be targeted for performing official duties, following detention of two earlier this year. But Turkey swiftly denied having granted such assurances in the affair that has tested relations since the two local employees of the U.S. consulate in Istanbul were held on suspicion of ties to last year's failed coup against President Tayyip Erdogan. The United States suspended visa services at its missions in Turkey in October and Turkey reciprocated. In November, Washington said it was resuming limited services upon getting assurances on the safety of its local staff.

By PSN - The Nigerian Air force said on Wednesday the United States had agreed to sell fighter planes to Nigeria, as the nation continues its eight-year battle with the calamitous Boko Haram terror sect. The sale of the 12 A29 Super Tucano aircraft, with weapons and services, is worth $593 million. The U.S. ambassador to Nigeria presented the letters of offer and acceptance, the official agreement to make the sale, to the country’s air force earlier on Wednesday, the air force statement said.