Istanbul University

The oldest tree in Istanbul is a 1,300-year-old oriental plane that is under protection in a forest in the Sarıyer district, according to Süleyman Çoban, an academic from the Cerrahpaşa Forestry Faculty of Istanbul University. (DHA Photo)

A retired elderly woman who had to give up her doctorate in medical sciences at a young age because of her marriage has now become a doctor at the age of 74 after receiving her degree from Istanbul University's Cerrahpaşa Medicine Faculty.

The Beyazıt Public Library in Istanbul is working on a project worth 3.5 million Turkish Liras ($419,470) to digitalize its vast body of resources, the library's deputy director said March 30.

The Beyazıt Library is the oldest public library in Turkey which opened on June 24, 1884, by a decree of Ottoman Sultan Abdulhamid II.

World-renowned Ottoman historian Mehmet Genç has passed away at the age of 87.

Genç, a retired professor of Marmara University, was receiving treatment for lung cancer.

Genç graduated from Ankara University Faculty of Political Sciences in 1958.

Prominent Turkish sociologist Nur Vergin, who had long had Alzheimer's, has died in her home in Istanbul's Beşiktaş district. She was 80.

Vergin was found dead at her house after her neighbors informed the police that they had not been able to reach her for two days.