Turkmen authorities publicly burn cigarettes in anti-smoking campaignJanuary 15, 2016 - 19:11 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Authorities in the post-soviet republic of Turkmenistan have publicly burned piles of cigarettes as they embark on a campaign to stamp out smoking spearheaded by the healthy living-obsessed president, the Associated Press reports. State television in the secretive and authoritarian Central Asian nation on Friday broadcast images of village elders and diplomats looking on as blocks of cigarettes were shoveled into a stove. Officials said the cigarettes were seized after being illegally smuggled into Turkmenistan. Smoking is legal but strongly discouraged. In 2000, smoking was banned in all public places, including on the street. Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Kazakhstan welcomes Yerevan, Baku’s agreement to meet in Almaty Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has welcomed the agreement of Baku and Yerevan to hold negotiations in Almaty. Armenia offers to temporarily host, preserve Gaza manuscripts The Armenian Foreign Minister has said Yerevan is ready to help preserve manuscripts from the conflict zone in Gaza. Aliyev says no need for mediators in Armenia-Azerbaijan process Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev believes that Baku and Yerevan do not mediators in the process of normalizing relations. Aram I supports Karekin II’s “patriotic position” Catholicos of the Great House of Cilicia Aram I has expressed support for the Mother See of Holy Etchmiadzin. |