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According to the UN World Population Projections, an analysis of the child population in the 27 European Union (EU) countries found that Ireland - 23.3%, Sweden - 21.0% and France - 20.7% in 2023. Countries with the lowest child population - Italy with 15.1 per cent, Malta with 15.6 per cent and Portugal with 16.0 per cent. The child population in Turkey was 26.0%, higher than the child population in the EU. According to the United Nations world population projections, when looking at the proportion of young people aged 15-24 in the total population of countries, Syria had the highest youth population in 2023, with 24.1 per cent. It is followed by the Central African Republic and East Timor with 22.3% and Eritrea with 22.1%. The country with the lowest youth share was Ukraine with 6.8%. Qatar with 7.6% and Monaco with 8.5%. The EU countries with the highest youth indicators in 2023 are Ireland with 13.1%, Denmark with 12.0% and the Netherlands with 11.9%. The lowest youth indicators are Malta - 9.0%, Lithuania - 9.4%, Bulgaria and Slovenia - 9.5%, respectively. Turkey s youth rate was 15.1%, higher than the youth rate of the EU 27. The EU countries with the highest proportion of older people in 2023 are Italy with 24.5%, Finland with 23.6% and Portugal with 23.3%, respectively. The countries with the lowest proportion of older persons are the Greek Administration of Southern Cyprus with 15.2%, Luxembourg with 15.4%, and Ireland with 15.5%. The share of the elderly population in Turkey was 10.2 per cent, which is lower than the share of the elderly population in the 27 EU member countries.

The decision of the 1st Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation finally entered into force on 8,658 years' imprisonment imposed on the leader of the Octar organization for such crimes as "sexual violence, attempted murder, harassment, interference with the right to education, deprivation of personal liberty, unauthorized recording of personal data". In addition to Adnan, a further 106 defendants were sentenced to 4.5 years' imprisonment for participating in a criminal organization and 8 were given 3 years each for assisting a criminal group. According to the Court of Cassation, houses, cars, jewellery, foreign wallows, etc., belonging to AOSSÖ, seized during the operation, were confiscated. The current market value of the confiscated property of the organization is estimated at approximately 5 billion lire (over $150 million). The list of confiscated property includes: several armoured vehicles, 61 luxury vehicles, 17 villas in the Besiktas, Kartal, Saryer and Tuzla districts of Istanbul, as well as jewellery and dozens of long-barrelled weapons and pistols. Adnan Oktar is known as an alternative Islamic preacher, around whom a sect of about 1,000 women has formed. These women often appeared in photographs wearing swimsuits or other outspoken clothing, which was contrary to Islamic traditions. Octar was supported by some conservative Christian sources. He is the author of 300 books, including those that deny the Holocaust and evolution. Oktar s main activity was with women, whom he used to have sexual relations with politicians and businessmen, whom he later blackmailed. His sect practiced statutory rape, kidnapping, tax violations and terrorism.

InterNations portal published the results of Expat Insider survey to find out why people change their country of residence and where they feel most comfortable. More than 12 thousand people from 175 countries took part in the survey. Participants shared the advantages and disadvantages of living in a new place. The main factors affecting the ease of moving were the availability of visas and the cost of living. On the basis of these data, a list of 53 countries most comfortable for emigration was drawn up. Thailand ranked 6th in the ranking, following Panama, Mexico, Indonesia, Spain and Colombia.

Rifat Hisarjklyoglu, president of the Union of Chambers and Commodity Exchanges of Turkey (TOBB), announced that Bing l Honey and Osmaniye Peanuts have received geographical indication from the European Union (EU). As a result, the number of products registered geographically by the EU increased to 23. Hisarjklyoglu: "We, as TOBB and the stock exchange community, are actively working to create local and geographically labeled products. At present, the EU registration process is ongoing for an additional 53 geographical products and 5 traditional product names". Turkey products already registered in the EU: Pakhlaw from Gaziantep, figs from Aydin, apricot from Malatya, chestnut from Aydin, olive oil from Milas, white oil from Bayramich, garlic from Tashkerwo, hazel from Giresun, Kunefe from Antaquia, Granada from Suruca, Walnut from Chaglaianserite, olives from Geml k, Edremit olive oil, olives from Milas, tomatoes from Ayaş, tarkhan Kahramanmaraş, olives from Remit Green, cheese from Ezine, Sabolu, olive oil from Memn, olive oil from Arabaydın, Copper from Meme.

Chairman of the group of the ruling AK-party Abdullah Guler announced that the minimum pension will be increased to 12,500 lire. The increase will affect about 3 million 707 thousand pensioners. The budget will cost 33 billion 200 million lire. The bill to increase the minimum pension will first be discussed by a commission, after which it will be considered by the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly and will enter into force as a law by vote. At present, the total number of pensioners in Turkey is about 16 million 180 thousand.

An interesting study: in 2024 a student in Turkey on his monthly scholarship can buy only the 16 cheapest chicken donor kebabs. The maximum number of donors, namely 75 pieces, students could buy in 2013 and 2016. Currently, the minimum scholarship in Turkey is 4,000 lire (master s degree) and 6,000 lire (doctorate).

The Cedre Hunting Mansion, one of the rare examples of Seljuk-era mansion architecture, will be opened to the public as a special place, telling about the history and culture of hunting in the region. The Cedre Hunting Lodge, which was started during the reign of Mustafa Aras, was in a state of unfinished business. The interior and exterior of the two-storey mansion located on the bank of the Sedre stream in the Demirtaş district have already been completed. The interior tells about the history of hunting, about the hunting culture of Alanya with the help of black and white photographs and the architectural structure of the pavilion. In addition, various activity zones for children have been created in the mansion. To increase children s interest in historical sites, stands telling about hunting, stands for fun games and figurines of various animals were placed here. Mayor Osman Taryk Ozcelik: "We have completed the preparation of this historic site and will open it to visitors in the coming days. We will continue to protect the historic buildings that we have brought to cultural tourism and will pass them on to future generations".

World-renowned magazine Forbes announced Turkey s Concert Revenue Champion. With a profit of 12 million euros in the first place was the megastar Tarkan. TOP 10 Turkish stars with the most expensive concerts are as follows: Tarkan - 12 million. euros Jem Adrian - 6 million. euros Serdar Ortac - 5 million. euros Edis - 5.2 million. euros Syla - 4.5 million. EUR Duman - 4, 523 million. euros Yildiz Tilbe - 4.377 million. Euro Gulshen - EUR 3.6 million Gyohan Turkmen - 3.485 million. euros Mahmut Orhan - 3.145 million. euros

Prime Minister of Thailand Settha Thavisin approved the extension of visa-free regime for citizens of 93 countries up to 60 days. This decision applies to nationals of 93 countries visiting Thailand for tourist purposes. The Prime Minister stressed that the tourism sector is the driving force of the country s economy, and the extension of the visa-free regime to 60 days for citizens of 93 countries will facilitate travel and stimulate the economy. Thai government spokesman Chay Wacharong said that to stimulate the economy and tourism sector, the Ministry of Interior has published a number of proposals. Among them - visa waivers for "digital nomads" working remotely, and those who plan to study in Thailand. These proposals have been supported by the Government. Foreigners planning to work in Thailand will be allowed to stay in the country for up to 180 days with the right to be renewed for the same period on a special visa, which is valid for 5 years. This visa will also be available to those wishing to engage in Thai boxing, study Thai cooking, medical tourists and participants in scientific and music festivals. Foreign students with a bachelor s degree in Thailand will be able to stay for one year after graduation. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Thailand supported the idea of maintaining visa exemptions for Russians. In 2023, tourists from Russia brought the economy of Thailand $2.5 billion. Within the framework of the agreement between Russia and Thailand, the period of visa-free stay is limited to 30 days. However, the Thai authorities regularly allowed tourists from Russia to stay in the country longer. From November 2023 to May 2024, Russians could enter Thailand without a visa for up to 90 days, and from May 1 began to operate a visa-free regime lasting 60 days with the right to a paid extension for another 30 days. These measures will remain in effect until 31 July. Visa waivers will also extend to citizens of China, India, South Africa, the UAE, Indonesia, the USA, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and other countries. The changes will take effect after publication in the government publication The Royal Gazette.

A new fee for travel abroad has been announced. Chairman of the ruling AP party Abdullah G ler announced that the fee for travel abroad will be increased to 500 lire. The following are exempt from payment of the exit tax: - citizens leaving on temporary documents- Citizens who travel to Northern Cyprus on a valid passport (kimlik)- children under 7 years- Crews of international transport

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change has introduced a new regulation to reduce noise pollution in apartment buildings throughout Turkey. According to the decision published in the Official Gazette, fines for noise-making activities such as listening to loud music or hosting home parties were increased from 4,831 to 7,667 lire. Complaints can be made by calling Alo 181.

According to the Turkish statistical institute TÜİK, the number of Turkish citizens visiting abroad in 2022 was 7. 266. 773 people. The average cost per person was $589. In 2023, the number of citizens visiting abroad increased by 52.3% compared to the previous year and reached 11.067.359 people. The average cost per person was $639. In the first quarter of 2024, the number of citizens visiting abroad increased by 18.4% compared to the same quarter last year and reached 2.4 million people. The average cost per person was $727.