Turkmenistan

1. “Turkmenistan” Airlines has restored direct flights between Ashgabat and Bangkok. The first plane of the national air carrier departed from the Turkmen capital to Thailand on December 22. Regular flights Ashgabat – Bangkok – Ashgabat will be operated on Fridays and Sundays.

2. Tickets for New Year's concerts of foreign stars in Ashgabat are on sale at the box office of the Ashgabat Winter Sports Complex. Ticket prices range from 100 to 150 manats, depending on the row. Let us remind that on December 24, 25 and 26, Ashgabat will host pre-New Year concerts of foreign stars - Iranian singer of Turkmen origin Emin Rasen, Turkish stars Burak Bulut and Kurtulus Kushu, as well as Russian singer Nyusha and performer Olga Shultheis. Concert start time: 18:00.

3. On December 22, President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov held a regular meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers, at which the results of socio-economic development in the past year and plans for 2024 were discussed. Special attention was paid to the development of the fuel and energy complex and industry. Aspects of international cooperation were also discussed and a number of upcoming events were announced.

4. In institutions and enterprises of Turkmenistan, regardless of their form of ownership, wage payments for December were made. Along with this, pensions, state benefits, scholarships for students and trainees are fully funded. This was stated by Deputy Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers Hojamyrat Geldimyradov at a Government meeting.

5. The heads of structural divisions of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkmenistan and Russia held consultations on cooperation in the information sphere via video link. The diplomats discussed the work of the press services of Turkmenistan and the Russian Federation, as well as the prospects for their cooperation both in a bilateral format and within international platforms.

6. A competition will be organized in Turkmenistan to develop projects of commemorative postage stamps on the occasion of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of Magtymguly Fragi. The competition is organized in order to popularize the significance of events widely held around the world in honor of the anniversary of the great Turkmen poet and thinker.

World

7. The Guinness World Records has officially recognized the ancient Paratethys Sea as the largest lake in the history of the Earth. The size of the lake was determined back in 2021, but confirmation of the record appeared only recently. Scientists have concluded that the waters of Paratethys covered an area of 2,8 million square kilometers. This is larger than the area of the modern Mediterranean Sea.

8. Chinese chemical engineers have developed a new textile material made from airgel, which is superior in heat-saving properties to cotton, wool and down. The result is a thin and flexible fiber that can be used to make clothing and other textiles. A sweater made from this fiber retains heat at temperatures down to –20°C. In addition, it can withstand up to 10 thousand stretches without significant damage.

Sport

9. Turkmen boxer Yunus Kurbanov won his second victory in the professional ring. In a welterweight bout at the Pravda Boxing tournament in Moscow, he defeated Russian Sergey Seliverstov by technical knockout in the 4th round. Kurbanov’s record now includes 2 wins, both by technical knockout. Let us note that Kurbanov is 31 years old, he has the status of Candidate of Masters of Turkmenistan in boxing and is an athlete of the promotion agency Gala Sports Management.