Turkmenistan news

Turkmenistan news, all the latest and breaking Turkmenistan news.

Latest Turkmenistan News

Turkmenistan holds first circus in a decade

Turkmenistan is holding its first circus in almost a decade after its eccentric former leader banned them for being bad for the "mentality".

23 Apr 2010

Duke of York avoids bloody coup

Duke of York, Prince Andrew: Duke of York on airmiles, the military and his family

The Duke of York has called off a visit to Kyrgyzstan after the president he was due to meet was overthrown in a bloody coup.

10 Apr 2010

Turkmenistan's new president brings business as usual

Turkmen girls in traditional clothing walk underneath a giant image of President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov

The unsmiling face that graces billboards, massive television screens and even hand-woven carpets across Turkmenistan may be different, but not much else has changed.

02 Dec 2009

Barack Obama courts human rights abusers

President Barack Obama is resurrecting relations with some of the world's worst human rights abusers in Central Asia as he attempts to secure new allies in the fight against the Taliban.

31 Jul 2009

Britain targets Turkmenistan gas as North Sea resources deplete

Turkmenistan's president has told Prince Andrew that his country would like to export natural gas to Britain, as our North Sea resources gradually deplete.

28 Jul 2009

Turkmenistan president carries out cancer surgery

Turkmenistan's maverick president has opened a cancer hospital by performing the first operation himself.

22 Jul 2009

Ancient apple forests at risk

Kyrgyzstan, Tien Shan mountains, Ala-Arche Canyon: Ancient forests which gave us the apple are in danger of extinction

The wild fruit tree cousins of Britain's favourite domestic apples are teetering on the brink of global extinction, according to a new report.

08 May 2009

The world of Turkmenbashi

Whatever the caprices of their eccentric leader, the people of Turkmenistan must obey, reports Damien McElroy from Ashgabat.

02 May 2004

The president for life of Turkmenistan, who has already had a month renamed after him and another for his late mother, was hailed as a prophet of God by his ministers yesterday to mark his 63rd birthday.

20 Feb 2003

Dictator urged to free ex-MP

The maverick dictator of Turkmenistan is facing mounting pressure from Russia and the West to release a former foreign minister jailed for life last week for allegedly plotting to assassinate him.

03 Jan 2003

Date with destiny for Turkmen leader

Turkmenistan's eccentric president, Saparmurat Niyazov, proposed yesterday to rename the month of January after himself.

09 Aug 2002

$50,000 for aTurkmen girl

LOVE will come at a high price in future for any foreigner seeking the hand of a woman from Turkmenistan after the latest eccentric decree issued by President Saparmurad Niyazov, omnipotent leader for life of the former Soviet state.

22 Jul 2001

Turkmen leader is hailed as 'a prophet'

THE personality cult of President Saparmurat Niyazov of Turkmenistan is showing signs of turning into a religion after the Central Asian despot's spokesman hailed him as "a prophet" and praised his "divine abilities".

24 May 2001