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BIZARRE: Ashgabat - You Need To See This

Ultra-reclusive Turkmenistan slowly opens up to tourists

ASHGABAT — From a gas crater dubbed the "Gateway to Hell" to the shimmering marble buildings of its capital, Turkmenistan is tentatively opening up to tourists after decades of isolation.

Bangkok Post

Turkmenistan's 'heavenly' Akhal-Teke horses celebrated in annual beauty pageants

The Central Asian country of Turkmenistan is immensely proud of its horses. The ancient and endangered Akhal-Teke species has become a symbol of great national pride in a deeply isolated state where power is firmly concentrated, and are considered so beautiful that beauty pageants are held for them annually. The…

France 24

Hundreds of Air France passengers stranded in ‘world’s weirdest city’ after engine failure

Turkmenistan has strict red tape according to the Foreign Office, including a mandatory £23 Covid test fee

The Independent UK

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'Raped, Jailed, Tortured, Left To Die': The Hell Of Being Gay In Turkmenistan

Two men who escaped one of the world's most secretive and repressive states have told AFP how they were tortured, beaten and raped in Turkmenistan for the "crime" of being gay.

International Business Times

Putin And Pezeshkian Discuss Middle East Situation In Ashgabat

Russian and Iranian presidents discuss arms deals, potential threats, and alliance against the West in a diplomatic meeting in Turkmenistan.

Top News

Turkmenistan vows to end smoking within two years

ASHGABAT, Turkmenistan: Turkmenistan's authoritarian leader launched an "unprecedented" anti-smoking crusade on Thursday, ordering the Central Asia country to rid itself completely of tobacco within two years.

Bangkok Post

Israel Cements Ties to Turkmenistan on Iran’s Border

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen inaugurated a permanent embassy in the Central Asian nation of Turkmenistan on Thursday, establishing his country’s closest diplomatic presence to Iran, as Israel seeks to strengthen ties with Tehran’s neighbours. Although the countries established diplomatic ties 30 years ago, there has only been a temporary…

Asharq Al-Awsat

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Cohen Meets Aliyev in Baku amid Tension with Tehran

Israeli Foreign Minister Eli Cohen held consultations in Baku with senior Azerbaijani officials, before heading to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, to inaugurate his country’s embassy there, in a move that would anger Tehran. Cohen met on Wednesday with Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev at the presidential palace, a month after…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Saudi-Turkmen Talks Discuss International Developments, Bilateral Coordination

Foreign Minister Prince Faisal Bin Farhan held key talks in Ashgabat on Monday, including a meeting with Turkmenistan’s President Serdar Berdimuhamedow. President Berdimuhamedow received Prince Faisal at the Presidential Palace during his official visit. At the beginning of the reception, Prince Faisal conveyed the greetings and appreciation of Custodian of…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Putin: 'No Problem' for Russia if Finland, Sweden Join NATO

Russia has "no problem" if Finland and Sweden join NATO, President Vladimir Putin said on Wednesday. "We don't have problems with Sweden and Finland like we do with Ukraine," Putin told a news conference in the Turkmenistan capital of Ashgabat. "We don't have territorial differences," the Russian leader continued. "There…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Putin Denies Russian Responsibility for Kremenchuk Strike

Russian President Vladimir Putin denied Moscow's forces were responsible for a strike on a crowded shopping center in the Ukrainian town of Kremenchuk earlier this week, in which 18 people were killed. "Our army does not attack any civilian infrastructure site. We have every capability of knowing what is situated…

Asharq Al-Awsat

Russia’s Putin to Meet Iran’s Raisi in Ashgabat on Wednesday

Russian President Vladimir Putin will hold a meeting with Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi during a visit to Ashgabat, the capital of Turkmenistan, on Wednesday, the Kremlin said. Putin is making his first known trip abroad since the start of what Moscow calls a "special military operation" in Ukraine. He is…

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