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Turkmenistan
1. On the eve of the new 2024, the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov made a traditional appeal to compatriots. The head of state noted that the outgoing year is significant in the latest annals of independent neutral Turkmenistan with large-scale reforms, as well as the solemn discovery of the first “smart city” in the history of Arkadag. At the same time, a large number of modern residential buildings, schools and kindergartens, medical and sports facilities were built throughout the country, cultural spheres, parks, industrial and other structures were commissioned, and large projects in the fuel and energy complex were implemented.
2. The first child who was born in New 2024 in Turkmenistan was a boy named Arkadag. He was born in the early morning of January 1 at the Center for the Protection of the Health of the Mother and Child of the city of Arkadag. This is the third child in the Kakageldiyev family from the Ahal velayat. The kid was born weighing 4,230 kg and a height of 54 cm. The doctors appreciated the state of health of the mother and the newborn as satisfactory. Proud parents received congratulations and gifts on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov.
3. On the first day of the New Year, the pupils of the Döwletliler köşgi palace in Ashgabat received gifts on behalf of the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov and the National Leader of the Turkmen people, chairman of the Halk Maslahaty Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov. Among the gifts are two interactive boards for schoolchildren, sets of winter and sportswear, national dresses for girls and New Year's sweets. Before presenting gifts for the children, popular pop artists spoke, and a theatrical performance with the participation of circus artists was held.
4. Turkmenistan will begin the reconstruction of the “Garabogaz” customs post on the Turkmen-Kazakhstan border in early January 2024. The purpose of the project is to expand the territory and increase the throughput of the customs post. Within the framework of the reconstruction, it is planned to convert the administrative building, install new X-ray equipment for inspection of cars. Work should be completed by the end of 2024.
5. On New Year's Eve, for the first time, colorful New Year's performances with the participation of singers and creative groups were held on the square of the city of Arkadag. The new Turkmen city for the first time took part in a festive teleconference, which, according to tradition, connected residents of different regions of the country and Ashgabat. The new city was opened on June 29, 2023 with the participation of the President of Turkmenistan and foreign guests. Over the past 7 months, the city has hosted many different events at both national and international levels.
6. The amounts of wages, pensions and state benefits, scholarships in Turkmenistan have been increased by 10 percent from January 1, 2024. The corresponding Decree was signed by the President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov at an extended meeting of the Government dedicated to the results of the first half of 2023. The document prescribes from January 1, 2024, to increase by 10 percent the wages of employees of budget-financed institutions, self-supporting enterprises and public associations, pensions and state benefits, scholarships for students and trainees.
World
7. The TNT channel premiered a remake of the Soviet comedy “Ivan Vasilyevich changes his profession” by Leonid Gaidai. The film was called “Ivan Vasilyevich changes everything!” The plot of the remake repeats the original story: engineer-inventor Shurik accidentally transports Tsar Ivan the Terrible to the XXI century. However, in the remake, the time machine works via the Internet, and due to constant failures on the Internet, time travelers can be thrown into a variety of countries and eras.
8. Ras Al Khaimah in the UAE has set a new world record for the largest New Year's fireworks display. The show, held on the eve of 2024, was included in two categories of the Guinness World Records. The fireworks display stretched along a 4,5-kilometer coastline between the Al Marjan artificial archipelago and the Al Hamra area. This became the longest line of fireworks both on the water and in the sky. In addition to classic fireworks on the water, the show featured more than 1000 drones with pyrotechnics and LED lights.
9. Queen Margrethe II of Denmark shocked the nation by announcing her decision to abdicate the throne in a televised New Year's address. The official abdication will be held on January 14, the 52nd anniversary of her accession to the throne. After Margrethe's departure, her eldest son, Crown Prince Frederik, will become the new king of Denmark.
Sport
10. The Iranian Football Federation has asked Italian “Roma” to permit striker Serdar Azmoun to play for the national team at the Asian Cup. The tournament will be held in Qatar from January 12 to February 10; the Iranian team will compete against teams from the UAE, Hong Kong and Palestine.
11. In the final round of the Turkmenistan football championship among major league clubs, the “Nebitchi” football club from Balkanabat defeated “Shagadam” from Turkmenbashy with a score of 2:0. Before this round, “Nebitchi” and “Ahal” claimed bronze medals in the championship. “Nebitchi” had a 5-point advantage and, thanks to the victory, became unattainable for “Ahal”, winning bronze medals in the national championship for the 7th time in its history. “Nebitchi” scored 43 points in 24 matches. The team's top scorer was Mahtymberdy Berenov, who scored 10 goals.
12. The dramatic incident occurred on a tennis court in Brisbane during an ATP tournament qualifying match between Austrian Dominic Thiem and Australian James Mackay. The game was suddenly interrupted by the appearance of a poisonous snake right on the court. A 50cm eastern brown snake was reported to have slithered out in the second set of the match. Tournament security officers had to be called in to catch the dangerous reptile. They managed to catch the snake and carry it off the court, after which the game was resumed.