TPF Announces the Establishment of the Istanbul Fund

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Emrah Gurel/AP Photo
Turkish Philanthropy Funds is devastated and deeply saddened by yesterday's terrorist attack in Istanbul, Turkey. Istanbul is an embodiment of freedom and peace, and represents the timeless values of human progress. Yet, today these values were taken over by fear. We know that these ideals are going to endure far beyond any act of terrorism and fear will be replaced by calm, bravery and life as Istanbul knew it. Until then, as Turkish Philanthropy Funds, we'd like to give a hand to Istanbul by establishing the #IstanbulFund to support the victims, their loved ones and our community at large.

Hillary Clinton Statement on Istanbul Terrorist Attack

Image Following today’s terrorist attack at Istanbul’s Ataturk Airport, the third-largest airport in Europe, Hillary Clinton issued the following statement: "Terrorists have struck again in the heart of one of our NATO allies—and all Americans stand united with the people of Turkey against this campaign of hatred and violence. Already, stories of heroism on the part of Turkish police are emerging, as their quick actions to confront the suspects may have prevented an even worse tragedy.

Israel and Turkey End Six-year Stand-off with Deal on Gaza Flotilla Killings

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The Mavi Marmara arriving in Istanbul in 2010 Credit: Mustafa Ozer/AFP
Israel and Turkey have finalised a deal to end the six-year diplomatic rift that began when Israeli commandos killed nine Turkish activists aboard a Gaza-bound flotilla in 2010. The agreement, which came after months of negotiations and encouragement by the US, restores full diplomatic ties between the two countries and opens the path for a major natural gas deal. Israel agreed to pay $20 million (£14.8 million) in compensation to the families of the dead and wounded activists and in return the families agreed to drop any future claims against the Israeli military.

Chobani Makes Its First Move Out Of The Dairy Aisle

Image Chobani is a name that has become synonymous with Greek yogurt. But the New York based company is hoping to soon be known for its snack dips as well. To promote its new line of Meze dips, Chobani rented a $12 million townhouse in the SoHo neighborhood of Manhattan and then transformed the luxury home into a lush habitat of indoor gardens, walls and chandeliers covered in vegetation, and of course, a full stock of Chobani products.

New Orleans Pelicans Should Consider Trading Omer Asik with their 6th Draft Pick

Image Though the New Orleans Pelicans finished with a mediocre 30-52 record, there is always hope for a brighter tomorrow with Anthony Davis on the roster. However, chances are his job would be significantly easier were he not weighted down by several teammates. One such player standing front and center is Omer Asik. Now that the NBA season has crowned a champion, it is officially the start of the off-season for all 30 teams. All locker rooms outside of Cleveland will look to improve on their recent campaigns in hopes of challenging the Cavaliers starting next October.

The Man Who Changes Lives

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? UNHCR/Andrew McConnell
TORBALI, Turkey – One man can change lives. Just ask the Syrian refugees in Torbali, near Izmir, about the work of Levent Topçu. Levent, known to the refugees simply by his first name, is the 52-year-old general manager of Ege, a Turkish company that makes leather goods and employs 60 people.  More important, he is part of a group of Facebook friends who created an association to help people in need, including some of the 2.7 million Syrian refugees in Turkey. Levent and his friends, with some help from UNHCR, have transformed the existence of more than 100 people here. Three months ago, his group renovated an abandoned building, making it suitable for several families to live in. Then Levent went to the miserable shelters and tents put up by refugees next to the fields where they worked.

$206M Funds Anti-Islamic American Groups

Image Nearly $206 million poured into organizations promoting hate against Muslim in the U.S. in 2008-2013, a report released Monday revealed. Released by the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) and the Center for Race and Gender at University of California Berkeley, the report lists 33 Islamophobic organizations as the inner-core groups funded with at least $205,838,077 in total revenue as they “promote prejudice against and hatred of Islam and Muslims.”

Church Project to Conserve Tomb of Christ Gets $1.3m Boost from Mica Ertegun

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Photograph: Ariel Schalit/AP
A delicate and sensitive project to restore the most sacred monument in Christianity has been boosted by a $1.3m philanthropic donation that will help preserve Christ’s tomb in Jerusalem as a destination for pilgrims for generations to come. The World Monuments Fund (WMF) announced on Tuesday that the gift from Mica Ertegun, the widow of Atlantic Records co-founder Ahmet Ertegun, would allow work to begin in earnest on the conservation project inside the Church of the Holy Sepulchre in Jerusalem’s old city.

New Chair and Center for Turkish Studies Created at Columbia

Image Columbia University has created the Sakıp Sabancı Chair and Center for Turkish Studies, the first such center in the United States. Established with a $10 million gift and named for its benefactor, a Turkish businessman and philanthropist, the goal of the center and the professorship is to increase knowledge and awareness about Turkey.

Reza Zarrab Disappointed by Bail Ruling

Image Defense lawyers say a wealthy Turkish businessman is "deeply disappointed" a judge ruled he has to remain behind bars while he awaits trial in New York on charges he helped Iran evade U.S. sanctions. Lawyers for businessman Reza Zarrab (ZAY'-rahb) say they'll consider an appeal of the Thursday ruling. They say he's innocent and they're "intent on continuing to vigorously defend" him. Prosecutors had argued Zarrab's wealth and overseas connections make him a flight risk.
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