Turkmenistan

1. The results of the work of law enforcement agencies for eleven months of this year and the priority vectors of their activities for the near future were considered at the next meeting of the State Security Council, which was chaired by the President of Turkmenistan, Supreme Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of the country, Army General Serdar Berdimuhamedov. The agenda also included issues related to ensuring security and tranquility in an independent state, further strengthening the material and technical base of security forces, and improving their work.

2. The 7th meeting of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Turkish Commission on Economic Cooperation was held in Ashgabat. The meeting was attended by heads of leading ministries and departments of Turkmenistan and members of a representative delegation led by Vice-President of Turkey Cevdet Yilmaz. During the meeting, regional and multilateral issues were discussed, as well as measures taken to implement the Work Plan of the Intergovernmental Turkmen-Turkish Commission on Economic Cooperation, adopted at the 6th meeting of the Commission.

3. New Year's holiday trade has started in the cities of Ashgabat and Arkadag, as well as in the velayats of Turkmenistan. Mobile retail outlets have opened throughout the country. They are located near central markets and within walking distance from residential areas.

4. Preparations for the Inter-Parliamentary Forum of the Countries of Central Asia and the Russian Federation became one of the topics of negotiations between the Minister of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan Rashid Meredov and the Chairman of the Federation Council Committee on International Affairs of the Russian Federation Grigory Karasin. Karasin noted that the upper house of the Russian parliament is counting on joint work with Turkmenistan to prepare and conduct the second Interparliamentary Forum of the countries of Central Asia and the Russian Federation.

5. From December 11, yoga classes at the Center for Yoga and Traditional Medicine, located in the Ashgabat sports complex “Bagtyyarlyk”, will be held according to a new schedule. You can view the updated schedule on the Turkmenportal website or by calling: (+99312) 45 61 52 and 45 61 53.

World

6. The art of Tajik weavers is included in the UNESCO list of intangible cultural heritage. The tradition of making atlas and adras has been passed down from generation to generation and still remains an important part of the culture of Tajikistan. The fabrics are very popular all over the world, and their production requires special care and skill. Every year, the country hosts festivals dedicated to the art of weaving, during which the works of the best Tajik craftsmen are demonstrated.

7. Taxi driver Atsushi Ozawa was arrested in Tokyo for intentionally killing a pigeon. A man drove his car into a flock of birds at a speed of 60 km/h. One of the birds died from its injuries. According to police, the culprit confessed to the crime and said he hit the birds because “roads are made for people, not for them”. The man's actions were classified as a violation of the wildlife protection law. In Japan, it is legal to hunt hunting pigeons. Urban birds can only be killed with the permission of local authorities if the pigeons cause damage to crops and livestock.

Sport

8. Carlos Queiroz has left his post as head coach of the Qatar national football team. The Portuguese specialist has led the team since February 2023. In November, Qatar won two victories in the second round of World Cup qualifying, beating Afghanistan and India. Qatar will host the Asian Cup in January-February 2024. The new head coach, Marques Lopez, who also heads the Qatari club “Al-Wakrah”, will prepare the players for the tournament.

9. The program of the 24th round of the Turkmenistan football championship among Major League clubs starts on Thursday with two matches. On this day the games “Energetik” - “Shagadam” and “Altyn Asyr” - “Nebitchi” will be held. In the final match of the day, “Arkadag” will play away against “Ashgabat”. This meeting will be held within the framework of the rescheduled match of the 27th round of the Major League. There will also be one meeting on Friday. Within the framework of the rescheduled match of the 12th round, “Ahal” will host “Merv” in Ashgabat.