Central Asia

Kyrgyz Industry Short of Robot Technology

An innovative robot made as a student project merely underlines the general lack of high-tech research into industrial production.

Staffing Crisis in Tajik Mental Hospitals

Jamoliddin Saifiddinov reports from southern Tajikistan where the level of psychiatric care is declining because hospitals cannot recruit or retain doctors.

Pilgrims Urged to Consider Charity at Home

Tajik president Imomali Rahmon has urged Muslims to economise by refraining from going on the annual pilgrimage, especially if they have already been to Mecca.

Turkmenistan: Local Elections Fail to Inspire

Doorstepping Seen as Key Campaign Method

Candidates in the forthcoming Kyrgyz presidential election are focusing on meeting potential voters rather than on media appearances.

Kyrgyz Taxis Take Left Turn

Parliament is reviewing legislation that would ban the use of right-hand drive cars as taxis. Alina Kenjeeva reports that taxi drivers with Japanese-import cars are worried for their future.

Uzbekistan: Soviet Pesticides Leave Bitter Legacy

Farmland still contaminated with DDT from past decades, experts say.

Low Expectations of Presidential Poll Among Kyrgyz Voters

Informal survey suggests most people believe current president won’t face serious challenge.

Turkmenistan: New Pipeline, Old Horizons?

Authorities want capacity to shift gas to market from giant field, but many proposed export routes currently look less than viable.

Tajikistan's Under-Age Market Workers

As Tajikistan tries to curb child labour in the cotton fields, many children are hard at work at urban markets.