The President of Turkmenistan congratulated the head of Tatarstan on his birthday, “Turkmenistan” Airlines is participating in the forum for the development of air routes, the new season of the Turkmenistan football championship starts on March 3 and other news

Turkmenistan

1. President of Turkmenistan Serdar Berdimuhamedov sent heartfelt congratulations and best wishes to Rais of the Republic of Tatarstan Rustam Minnikhanov on the occasion of his birthday. – Taking the opportunity, the head of state addressed Rustam Minnikhanov with sincere wishes for good health, family well-being and happiness, as well as new successes in all endeavors and aspirations for the benefit of the fraternal people of the Republic of Tatarstan of the Russian Federation.

2. Specialists of the “Turkmendenizderyayollary” Agency took part in the second seminar on the digitalization of the Trans-Caspian transport corridor. The seminar was held in Tbilisi in videoconference format. Its participants examined new ideas for creating mutual connectivity between digital system initiatives. The possibility of creating a digital system center and pilot projects was also discussed.

3. Representatives of “Turkmenistan” Airlines took part in the largest forum on the development of air traffic in the Asia-Pacific region. The event takes place at the Langkawi International Convention Center in northwest Malaysia. The Asia Routes Forum is a unique platform for exchanging experiences and developing joint strategies for the development of air transport networks in the Asia-Pacific region.

4. A delegation from Turkmenistan joined the 17th session of the UNESCO Intergovernmental Committee for the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, which is being held at UNESCO headquarters in Paris. The session discussed measures to implement the UNESCO Convention on the Protection and Promotion of the Diversity of Cultural Expressions, as well as plans to celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2025. In addition, the committee approved its work plan for 2024-2025.

5. The Oguz han Engineering and Technology University of Turkmenistan and Innopolis University are working on a draft memorandum of cooperation and have reached an understanding on this issue. On February 28, a working meeting was held between the rector of the Turkmen university Gurbanmyrat Mezilov and the vice-rector of the Russian University Evgeniy Bobrov in the Republic of Tatarstan. The parties discussed the prospects for cooperation in the field of training IT specialists and agreed on interaction in the field of exchange of experience, scientific research and teacher training.

World

6. Astronomers from the USA are on the way to a sensational discovery - the ninth planet of the solar system, which is nicknamed Planet X. The basis for such assumptions are strange anomalies in the orbits of objects in the Koper belt. These deviations can only be explained by the gravitational influence of a massive object about seven times the size of Earth. Planet X is estimated to be 500-600 astronomical units from the Sun, making it the fifth largest in the Solar System.

7. In China, an air taxi was successfully tested within the framework of the first intercity flight. The test flight took place between the cities of Shenzhen and Zhuhai. In 20 minutes, the air taxi covered 50 kilometers, which is three times faster than by land transport. The capacity of this aircraft is 4 passengers. Thanks to its characteristics, it is capable of speeds of up to 200 km/h and flights of up to 250 kilometers. Commercial air taxi transportation could become available as early as 2026.

Sport

8. The first round of the Turkmenistan Major Football League will be held from March 3 to 4. In the opening match, “Ashgabat” will host “Kopetdag” in the capital's derby. The meeting will be held on Sunday, March 3. At the end of the 2023 season, “Ashgabat” took 5th place in the Major League standings, gaining 30 points. “Kopetdag” finished the year in sixth place with 28 points. It is worth noting that the bulk of the matches of the first round fell on March 4. The pairs will meet on the field: “Altyn Asyr” - “Shagadam”, “Nebitchi” - “Merv” and “Ahal” - “Energetik”. Last year's champion, “Arkadag”, will miss the first round.

9. The football club “Arkadag” from the “smart city” of the same name has created a backup team – “Arkadag-2”. The team will compete in the Youth Championship of Turkmenistan. The youth championship starts on March 2. In the 2024 season, 9 clubs will take part in the tournament, the competition will be held in 4 rounds. The first two rounds of the championship will last until May 24. Let us note that “Arkadag-2” will play its first match on March 6 at home against Ashgabat “Altyn Asyr”.

10. The International Ice Hockey Federation has approved the dates and times for the start of matches of the Junior World Hockey Championship in group “B” of the third division, which will be held from March 4 to 7 in Cape Town. Four teams will fight for a ticket to group “A”: Hong Kong, Thailand, Turkmenistan and South Africa. The Turkmenistan national team will play its first game on March 4 against Thailand. On March 5, Maksat Atayev’s team will play against Hong Kong and will finish the tournament on March 7 against the hosts of the championship, the South African team. All matches will be held at the “Ice Station” Arena in Cape Town.