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578818 A dog handler and his service dog participating in the III Inter-Agency K9 Competition. Osh, Kyrgyzstan. Chyngyz Zhanybekov Aida Almazbekova

The OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek is supporting a series of joint inter- and intra-agency exercises designed to enhance collaboration between the Border Service and law enforcement agencies in combating the illicit trafficking of small arms and light weapons, conventional ammunition, and explosives in southern Kyrgyzstan.

These scenario-based exercises are vital in reinforcing co-operation between the Border Service’s internal structures and units, while also fostering stronger partnerships with law enforcement agencies. By working together, participants will become familiar with each other’s operational procedures, improving their ability to respond swiftly and effectively to security threats.

For three days, the teams, composed of K9 units from the Correctional Service under the Ministry of Justice, the State Customs Service, the Drug Trafficking Control Service, and the Border Guard Service, competed in a series of rigorous tasks. These included detecting narcotics in luggage, vehicles, and indoor environments, as well as overcoming obstacle courses and demonstrating general obedience training. German and Belgian Shepherds, renowned for their agility and training capacity, were the star participants.

"Until the final moments, it was difficult to predict the winner," said Colonel A. Abdyldaev, Chief Judge of the competition. "Initially, the team from the Ministry of Internal Affairs Drug Trafficking Control Service and the State Customs Service was in the lead. However, yesterday, the team from the Border Guard Service of the State Committee for National Security (SCNS) took the lead.”

The judges assessed not only the execution of the tasks but also the dogs' behaviour and their responsiveness to the handlers' commands.  In addition, special attention was paid to the technique of performing the elements. The “Obedience” stage of the competition was judged by Josef Schützenhofer, an invited expert from Austria in the field of K9.

The team from the Border Guard Service of the State Committee for National Security claimed victory in a highly competitive final stage, securing first place. The Ministry of Internal Affairs’ Drug Trafficking Control Service team claimed second place, while the State Customs Service team finished third. The Corrections Service under the Ministry of Justice took fourth place.

In the individual competition, Warrant Officer N. Sultanov from the Border Guard Service, along with his dog Zakat, took first place. Lieutenant B. Batyrkul uulu and his dog Tina, representing the Ministry of Internal Affairs, secured second place, and Major N. Gladkova with her dog Gerda from the State Customs Service earned third place.

Winners received special awards, including medals, diplomas, and valuable gifts provided by the OSCE Programme Office. In addition, the winning teams were presented with specialised backpacks for dog handlers and dry food for their service dogs.

This marks the third consecutive year that the OSCE Programme Office in Bishkek has supported the inter-agency K9 competition, reinforcing its dedication to enhancing security co-operation in Kyrgyzstan through capacity building and professional training initiatives.

The III Inter-Agency K9 Competition is implemented within the framework of the extrabudgetary project “Reducing risk of illicit small arms and light weapons, 

ammunition and explosives proliferation across border of Kyrgyz Republic,” funded by the US, Germany, Norway, UK, and supported by Austria and Poland.

In Moldau wurde für die Verankerung der EU-Mitgliedschaft in der Verfassung gestimmt. Dies geht aus den am Montag (21. Oktober) veröffentlichten aktualisierten Wahldaten hervor. Entscheidend waren die Stimmen der im Ausland lebenden Moldauer.

Europas Flughäfen stehen vor einer Kapazitätskrise, denn die steigende Nachfrage trifft auf die Klimaziele der Luftfahrt. Die Debatte um Ausbaustopps und Obergrenzen verschärft sich, mit weitreichenden Folgen für Wirtschaft und Luftverkehr.

Der Chefökonom des Internationalen Währungsfonds warnte vor einer Spaltung Europas durch den steigenden Import von chinesischen Elektroautos. Nicht nur politisch, sondern auch wirtschaftlich würden sich die EU-Staaten in zwei Lager aufteilen.

Fibre-based packaging supports the EU’s sustainability goals with a high recycling rate and reduced CO2 emissions. It advances a circular economy, boosts competitiveness, and contributes to food security. Clear regulations and innovation incentives are essential for a sustainable, resilient future.

More than 200,000 ballots cast among the country’s diaspora swayed the vote in favour.

Lors de la conférence des Nations unies sur la biodiversité, qui débute ce lundi 21 octobre en Colombie, les pays tenteront de parvenir à un accord nécessaire pour tenir leurs engagements en matière de protection de la nature.

Les ministres de la Défense du G7 ont réitéré leurs appels au respect du droit international lors de leur réunion inaugurale samedi 19 octobre, quelques jours avant la rencontre des membres du BRICS en Russie.

In Kolumbien beginnt die UN-Konferenz zur biologischen Vielfalt (COP16), bei der es hauptsächlich um Naturschutzversprechen gehen wird. Im Fokus stehen Investitionen, der Abbau umweltschädlicher Subventionen und die gerechte Nutzung von genetischen Sequenzen.

578797 OSCE Centre in Ashgabat

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On 21 October 2024, the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat hosted a conference dedicated to the 25th anniversary since Turkmenistan acceded to the Aarhus Convention, a key UN document on access to environmental information, public participation in decision-making and access to justice in environmental matters.

The conference brought together representatives of the Aarhus Centre in Turkmenistan and public organizations, national environmental experts and governmental officials from relevant ministries and agencies.

“As we celebrate this significant anniversary, I am pleased to highlight that Turkmenistan was the first Central Asian state to ratify the Aarhus Convention and commit to implementing provisions of this unprecedented environmental agreement,” said Olivera Zurovac-Kuzman

, Economic and Environmental Officer at the OSCE Centre in Ashgabat.

The event presented the draft National Report on the Implementation of the Aarhus Convention in Turkmenistan and its provisions and discussed the main areas of Aarhus Centre’s activities.

A representative from the Aarhus Convention Secretariat, UNECE, focused on the role of the Aarhus Convention in promoting the principles of good environmental governance and sustainable development.

Representatives of the Aarhus Centre in Turkmenistan reflected on the role of the Aarhus Centre in promoting the Aarhus Convention and the main areas of their activities emphasizing the importance of their work aimed at promoting sustainable water management. Experiences of organizing environmental campaigns were also shared.

“We highly value our long-standing co-operation with the Aarhus Centre, hosted by the public organization ”Tebigy Kuwwat”,  in supporting Turkmenistan in the implementation of the Aarhus Convention and promoting access to information, public participation and access to justice in environmental matters,” added Zurovac-Kuzman.

Fetulllah Gülen was a one-time ally of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan but they fell out spectacularly, and Erdoğan held him responsible for the 2016 attempted coup.

European Parliament’s spokespersons will hold a last-minute briefing on the 21 - 24 October plenary session today at 16.30.

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

European Parliament’s spokespersons will hold a last-minute briefing on the 21 - 24 October plenary session today at 16.30.

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

European Parliament’s spokespersons will hold a last-minute briefing on the 21 - 24 October plenary session today at 16.30.

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

European Parliament’s spokespersons will hold a last-minute briefing on the 21 - 24 October plenary session today at 16.30.

Source : © European Union, 2024 - EP

Malgré les dangers, les transporteurs du breuvage illicite y voient un moyen d'échapper à la pauvreté.

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Die linkspopulistische Partei Podemos droht, ihre Unterstützung für Ministerpräsident Pedro Sánchez zu entziehen, falls seine Regierung die diplomatischen und Handelsbeziehungen zu Israel nicht beende.

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Das moldawische Referendum zur Verankerung der EU-Mitgliedschaft in der Verfassung droht zu scheitern. Die Ergebnisse am Montagmorgen sind noch unklar. Präsidentin Maia Sandu wirft Russland vor, 300.000 Stimmen gekauft zu haben, um die Abstimmung zu beeinflussen.