Record breakers? Arkadag FC and the winning streak still under scrutiny
Turkmenistan’s champions lay claim to a world record but some suspect details lie behind their dazzling winning run
January 2024
People smugglers recruiting skippers from central Asia on Turkey to Italy route
Boat drivers from former Soviet republics often have very little experience and no idea what they are doing is illegal, say NGOs
June 2023
Turkmenistan moves towards plugging massive methane leaks
US deal could plug Turkmenistan’s colossal methane emissions
May 2023
‘Mind-boggling’ methane emissions from Turkmenistan revealed
Leaks of potent greenhouse gas could be easily fixed, say experts, and would rapidly reduce global heating
January 2023
Women’s health in Turkmenistan: ‘Silence strips us of agency. This must change’
Abortion, contraception, domestic violence: none of these are publicly discussed. One website, Saglyk, tries to give women the information they desperately need
March 2022
Turkmenistan strongman's son wins presidential vote
Serdar Berdymukhamedov won Saturday’s ballot, officials said, but with lower victory margin than his father
January 2022
Turkmenistan plans to extinguish vast gas crater fire dubbed ‘Gateway to hell’
President Berdymukhamedov orders experts to find way to put out five-decade-old blaze Karakum desert
October 2021
Rights and freedom
Has Interpol become the long arm of oppressive regimes?
Once used in the hunt for fugitive criminals, the global police agency’s most-wanted ‘red notice’ list now includes political refugees and dissidents
April 2021
Boris Johnson needs some good PR. Why not borrow Turkmenistan’s dog day?
Arwa Mahdawi
Turkmenistan dedicates holiday to enormous national dog breed
November 2020
Turkmenistan leader reveals golden monument to favourite dog breed – video
Turkmenistan leader unveils giant gold statue of local dog
July 2019
'Edge of catastrophe': report warns firms and governments off Turkmenistan
Citizens of gas-rich, isolated state subject to food shortages and human rights abuses
June 2019
Language wars: the 19 greatest linguistic spats of all time
Words are ever evolving – but not without controversy. From creative applications of an apostrophe to the overuse of literally, what makes you rage?
December 2018
Papers reveal saga of horse given to John Major by Turkmenistan
UK diplomats struggled to get the stallion to Moscow in a drama ‘worthy of Gogol’
August 2018
Landmark Caspian Sea deal signed by five coastal nations
Inside Ashgabat, the flashy but empty 'city of the dead'
July 2018
Turkmenistan's president performs in rap video with his grandson – video
Berdymukhamedov has previously been seen racing cars, DJing and working out in the gym
October 2017
Turkmenistan dictator opens golf course – and quickly hits 'hole in one'
Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov is the latest world leader to show a remarkable talent for golf, according to state TV
