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.

Beautiful Game Returns to Azeri Front Line Region

Move stems from Baku football chiefs’ decision to move more games to the provinces.

Azeri Visit to Karabakh Sparks Row

War of words breaks out as public relations exercise by Baku representatives goes wrong.

Georgian Bid to Boost Economy Under Scrutiny

Few experts share government hopes that new enterprise region will help alleviate economic woes.

Outcry at Detention of Azeri Opposition Bloggers

Press watchdog says case typical of arbitrary judicial decisions taken against government opponents.

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.