The Triumph of Astana is one of the more familiar-looking buildings in the capital, which wouldn't be out of place in Russia — but the pointed turrets still give it an imposing presence.

Turkmen President Saparmurat Niyazov on January 17th appointed Gurbannazar Nazarov as minister of oil, natural gas and mineral resources, a post that had been vacant since September.

The country’s then president, Saparmurat Niyazov, was reported to have been so upset at seeing some of the country’s biggest and more established stars miming on TV shows to their biggest hits ...

He became acting president after the death of President Saparmurat Niyazov in December 2006 and won the presidential elections on February 11, 2007, gaining 89.23% of the electors’ votes.

Al Ahab conveyed to President Niyazov greetings of the President, His Highness Shaikh Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and His Highness Shaikh Mohammed bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice-President and Prime ...