Istanbul University

Byzantines cast spells with dolphin oil, says expert

The Byzantines hunted dolphins and used dolphin oil in the pharmaceutical industry, in oil lamps and in some superstitious works, said Vedat Onar, professor at Istanbul University, examining animal bones unearthed in archaeological excavations at Istanbul's Haydarpaşa, a historic train station on the Asian side.

They used dolphin oil to cast spells, according to Onar.

15-year jail term sought for S Korean professor for beating wife

Istanbul prosecutors have asked the court to sentence famous South Korean professor Namkook Lee to nearly 15 years in prison for allegedly beating his 43-year-old wife, Jae Young Lee.

Namkook Lee, 70, is an expert on animation and known as "the man behind" many famous animation movies such as "Scooby-Doo," "Space Jam" and "Goof Troop."

Expert proposes to sell burned trees, use money in fight against wildfires

A Turkish expert has advised authorities to sell all the trees burned in last month's wildfires that devastated forests in 53 provinces out of all 81 late July and use the money collected in the fight against future forest fires.

According to data from the General Directorate of Forestry, some 133,000 hectares of land have been burnt.

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