Radio of bureau

At least 400 Kazak nationals believed to be in Syria or Iraq.In mid-October, Kazakstan’s government added Islamic State to the list of designated terrorist organisations. (more…)

When reservoir levels fall, so does hydropower generation – bad news for consumers at peak usage time. Officials are warning of power cuts over the coming winter because of low water levels behind the reservoir dams used to generate hydroelectricity. (more…)

Twitter and Facebook campaigns force legislators to back down on plans for more comfortable seats.A campaign to stop Kyrgyzstan’s parliament spending much-needed money highlighted the growing power of social media.
(more…)

Fewer jobs and a worsening exchange rate hits households supported by expats in Russia. Families of the many Tajik migrant workers who have had to return home due to economic problems in Russia are now worrying about how they will get through the coming winter. (more…)

Low-skilled workers from Central Asia are often the first to be laid off.Tajikistan is hugely dependent on the funds sent home by its expat workforce, but as the Russian economy sheds low-skilled labour, experts are calling for better training so that those travelling abroad have more to offer. (more…)

Law passed two years ago yet to translate into societal change. Although Tajikistan passed specific legislation to deal with domestic violence in 2012, the problem remains widespread. (more…)

Adolescents run extortion rackets and intimidate younger schoolmates. The death of a schoolboy at the hands of his peers has highlighted the widespread nature of gang culture in Kyrgyzstan’s school system. (more…)

Concerns that students are among those targeted. Tajikistan’s education ministry reports that five university students have gone off to join Islamic State militants in Syria. (more…)

Embarrassment as plans to buy comfortable seats for parliament have to be shelved. Kyrgyzstan’s parliament has reversed plans to buy new leather seating for the chamber after an outcry about the cost. (more…)