Authorities have begun confiscating passports of those who have outstanding bank loans: documents are seized upon leaving the country and given back once the loan is repaid; many of them are migrant workers heading abroad to earn money to send home

Fans who have bought tickets for the Asian Champions League match between Turkmenistan’s Arkadag and Saudi Arabia’s Al-Nassr on February 11 have been informed, that their seats are being changed to make room for “organized support” groups

Elderly citizens and benefit recipients at the beginning of the year endure hours in line at social security offices to prove they are still alive; this biennial formality is felt as an ordeal, adding discontent to government’s refusal to adjust payments

Turkmenistan has taken over the chairmanship of the Commonwealth of Independent States CIS; President Berdimuhamedov has stated that the country intends to contribute to the full realization of the organization’s potential during its chairmanship

Turkmenistan and Spain have discussed closer cooperation to address desertification in Central Asia, including the possible creation of a regional center focused on land degradation; the talks took place in Ashgabat following UN hints to such initiative