News of Kyrgyzstan, Bishkek and Osh — latest events today
Local news

The Muftiyat of the Kyrgyz Republic warned pilgrims and tour companies organizing Umrah

The Muftiyat of Kyrgyzstan has urged citizens planning to perform Umrah, as well as travel agencies, to exercise caution and consider potential risks when planning their trips. The Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan (DUMK) noted that in recent days there have been delays and temporary cancellations of flights, including international ones, due to sharp changes in weather conditions, such as fog and rain. Pilgrims are advised to monitor official meteorological data and take

08.01.2026, 18:43
Local news / Cultural news

"All major events in the country are equipped by one state enterprise, the equipment must be in one hand, - Minister of Culture"

As of today, most republican events are supported by equipment owned by the state enterprise "Kyrgyz Madaniyat Service." Previously, renting equipment from private individuals was very costly for the budget. This was reported by the head of the Ministry of Culture, Mirbek Mambetaliev, in an interview with AKIpress. According to Mambetaliev, "Kyrgyz Madaniyat Service" has a powerful technical base.

08.01.2026, 18:43
The "Altai" Town Project in Bishkek Was Not Coordinated with the Institute of Seismology - NAS
Local news

The "Altai" Town Project in Bishkek Was Not Coordinated with the Institute of Seismology - NAS

Photo by the press service of the PCR President of the National Academy of Sciences of Kyrgyzstan Kanat Abdrakhmatov reported that the residential complex project "Altai," which is being built in Bishkek, was not approved by the Institute of Seismology of the NAS of the KR. He made this statement on his social media page. The construction of this large residential complex is taking place on a site recognized as seismically hazardous. His comments were prompted by a video that

08.01.2026, 17:51
Local news

In Bishkek, a suspect in the sale of "synthetics" has been detained

In the Pervomaisky District of Bishkek, police officers detained a man suspected of selling synthetic drugs. This information was announced by the press service of the capital's Main Internal Affairs Directorate. It became known that on January 7, the Drug Control Service received information about possible trading of synthetic substances in the Pervomaisky District, which served as the basis for initiating a criminal case by the investigative authorities of the Pervomaisky District

08.01.2026, 16:37
Local news

"After the repairs, a pit remains." Residents complain about the road on Chuy/Osmonkula.

Residents of the city contacted the Call center Kaktus.media, expressing dissatisfaction regarding the recently repaired road. “The repair was carried out at the intersection of Chuy and Osmonkula, but as a result, there is a hole left. Who is responsible for such work? Why does this problem keep recurring in the city? Where is the drainage system? It was necessary to ensure water drainage for such situations,” they note.

08.01.2026, 16:29
Local news / Cultural news

International experts have begun preparing a new nomination for the optimization of the buffer zone boundaries of "Sulaiman-Too"

On January 7, the head of the Ministry of Culture of Kyrgyzstan, Mirbek Mambetaliev, along with Deputy Askaraly Madaminov, held a meeting with an international team of experts who arrived in the country to work on the UNESCO project "Sacred Mountain – Sulayman-Too." According to the press service of the Ministry of Culture, the experts will be in Kyrgyzstan from January 7 to 12. Their goal is to prepare new nominations that will help optimize the boundaries of the buffer zone of the

08.01.2026, 16:06
Local news / Exclusive

Optimization of the Buffer Zone "Sulaiman-Too". UNESCO Experts Arrive in Kyrgyzstan

On January 7, the Minister of Culture of the country, Mirbek Mambetaliev, met with international experts working on the UNESCO World Heritage site "Sulaiman-Too." This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Culture. The experts arrived in Kyrgyzstan in accordance with the government's decision regarding the optimization of the buffer zone boundaries of Mount Sulaiman-Too, which is part of the UNESCO World Heritage. Their work will take place from January 7 to 12.

08.01.2026, 16:04
Local news / Exclusive

Illegal Hunting Cases Identified in the Alai District

Over the course of one week, poachers engaged in illegal fishing and hunting of rock partridges were detained in the Alaï district. This was reported by Alimbek Aydarov, a game management specialist from the Osh regional office of the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology, and Technical Supervision. According to Aydarov, the department's employees regularly conduct raids. "In the village of Pravda, protocols were drawn up against three fishermen. When we arrived at the scene, they

08.01.2026, 16:03
Local news

President of the National Academy of Sciences of the Kyrgyz Republic: The construction of the "Altai" town was not coordinated with the Institute of Seismology

Kanatbek Abdrakhmatov noted on social media that he only recently learned about the construction of "Altai." He emphasized that the information about the high groundwater levels in this area has been known for many years, and any construction here requires careful engineering solutions and approvals. However, the project, which includes 1,500 five-story buildings, was not approved by the Institute of Seismology. Abdrakhmatov expressed bewilderment that such a large construction

08.01.2026, 15:50
Local news / Exclusive

The monument to Barsbek-Kagan in Osh will be "relocated" due to the bridge: Where will the monument be installed?

In Osh, work has begun on the dismantling of the monument to Barsbek-kagan, located at the intersection of Gapar Aitieva and Bekmamata Osmonova streets. As reported by the city administration, the dismantling of the monument is scheduled for January 8, 2026. The official statement clarifies that the monument will be relocated to a new site that has already been chosen. However, another monument is planned for that location, so Barsbek-kagan will be installed in a completely different place. At

08.01.2026, 15:29
Local news / Exclusive

Residents of the village of Kara-Küngöy gifted the imam a ticket for Umrah and shared a story about his grandfather

In the village of Kara-Küngöy, located in the Kochkor district of the Naryn region, local residents presented Imam Kumarbek Keramaev with a pilgrimage ticket for Umrah, reports Turmush correspondent. In agreement with the community and the decision of the elders, it was decided to raise funds — 1000 soms from each household. With this money, the imam was gifted a ticket for a 14-day pilgrimage.

08.01.2026, 15:13
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic clarified the new U.S. visa requirements for citizens of Kyrgyzstan
Local news / Exclusive

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic clarified the new U.S. visa requirements for citizens of Kyrgyzstan

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic reports the introduction of new requirements for citizens wishing to obtain non-immigrant visas of categories B-1/B-2 (for tourism and business trips) to the United States of America. These changes will take effect on January 21, 2026. According to information provided by the U.S. Department of State, citizens of a number of countries, including Kyrgyzstan, will be required to pay a financial deposit ranging from $5,000 to $15,000. The

08.01.2026, 15:07
Local news

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic reported details about the visa deposit for Kyrgyz citizens traveling to the USA.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic has provided information about the visa bond that will come into effect for citizens traveling to the USA for tourism and business purposes. Starting from January 21, 2026, it is expected that a mandatory financial bond ranging from $5,000 to $15,000 will be established for citizens of several countries, including Kyrgyzstan. The specific amount will be determined by the consular officer based on an interview with the applicant.

08.01.2026, 14:57
Local news / Cultural news

In Karakol, Manas, and other regions, the Ministry of Culture plans major renovations of theaters and new cultural facilities.

In an interview with AKIpress, the Minister of Culture, Information, and Youth Policy, Mirbek Mambetaliev, shared plans for the construction of new cultural facilities and the renovation of theaters in various cities and villages. According to Mambetaliev, the K. Zhantoshev Theater located in Karakol urgently needs repairs as it is in an emergency state.

08.01.2026, 14:49
Local news

The USA introduces a visa bond for citizens of Kyrgyzstan: what changes and who is affected?

The U.S. State Department has announced the introduction of a visa bond for citizens of 38 countries who plan to obtain a tourist or business visa of category B1/B2. With Donald Trump's rise to power, the immigration policy of the United States underwent significant changes. One of the important innovations was the expulsion of illegal migrants, which became the basis for the introduction of the visa bond. The new list includes countries from Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, and Latin America.

08.01.2026, 14:37
Local news / Exclusive

In the city of Cholpon-Ata, a number of streets have been renamed

In Cholpon-Ata, local council deputies approved the renaming of several streets and the assignment of new names to a number of objects. This decision was made on December 16, 2025. According to the resolution initiated by the city administration on December 9 and 11, 2025, the deputies based their decision on Article 7 of the law "On Geographical Names in the Kyrgyz Republic" and the current regulations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers on March 25, 2025, under number 149. As a

08.01.2026, 14:36
The Ministry of Internal Affairs warns about the rise of fraud through WhatsApp
Local news

The Ministry of Internal Affairs warns about the rise of fraud through WhatsApp

Citizens are urged to enable two-step verification to protect their accounts Recently, there has been an increase in fraudulent activities using the WhatsApp messenger, according to information provided by the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Malefactors find ways to access users' accounts and then send messages to relatives on their behalf, requesting urgent money transfers.

08.01.2026, 14:15
Famous Kazakh Actor Murat Bisembin Has Passed Away
Local news

Famous Kazakh Actor Murat Bisembin Has Passed Away

Photo from the internet. Murat Bisembin Famous Kazakh actor Murat Bisembin has passed away at the age of 53 after a long battle with cancer. His daughter announced his death on social media, noting that the artist suffered a stroke at the end of December 2025. Murat Bisembin became a favorite among the public thanks to his roles in various Kazakh films and TV series. His creative journey includes more than twenty projects in television and cinema.

08.01.2026, 13:23
The livestock market in the Jayil district will be relocated to a new area
Local news

The livestock market in the Jayil district will be relocated to a new area

The existing facility does not meet sanitary and veterinary standards During his working trip to the Jayil district, the presidential representative in the Chui region, Azamat Osmonov, familiarized himself with the condition of the livestock market and inspected the designated area for the construction of a new facility.

08.01.2026, 13:11
Local news / Exclusive

In Uzgen, during a raid, 18 children were found on the street at night without adult supervision.

In Uzgen, during a specialized raid, 18 children were found on the street at night without adults. This information was provided by the press service of the Internal Affairs Department of the Osh region. According to law enforcement agencies, employees of the Uzgen District Internal Affairs Department conducted a preventive event called "Teenager–Night" during the winter holidays to reduce the level of crime and offenses among youth.

08.01.2026, 13:10
Local news

The arrest period of Kudret Taychabarov has been extended.

On December 30, 2025, the Pervomaisky District Court in Bishkek decided to extend the detention of Kudret Taychabarov, the former director of the SEZ "Bishkek," until February 8, 2026. This information was provided by Taychabarov's lawyer, Pamir Suranbaev, as reported by "Tandyr Media." Kudret Taychabarov was detained due to suspicions of his possible connections with organized crime groups. He was charged under an article concerning the creation or participation in an

08.01.2026, 13:02
Local news

Injured a passerby and fled. The suspect was detained in the Chuy region.

In the Chuy region, police officers detained a suspect in connection with hooligan actions, as a result of which a man sustained multiple stab wounds. This information was reported by the regional Department of Internal Affairs. According to law enforcement agencies, the incident occurred on January 5, when a local resident, born in 1972, reported to the Panfilov District Department of Internal Affairs. He stated that around 6 a.m. near the "Nur" store in the village of Kaind, an

08.01.2026, 12:57
Local news

Teenagers involved in a car accident in a stolen vehicle

According to the information from the Main Internal Affairs Department of the Chui Region, a citizen J. R., born in 1983, reported the theft of his NISSAN R'NESSA vehicle, which was parked near his home, to the Issyk-Ata District Internal Affairs Department. The incident occurred on the night of January 6. In connection with this incident, a criminal case was initiated under Article 211 of the Criminal Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, concerning the theft of vehicles.

08.01.2026, 12:33
Local news

The Ministry of Internal Affairs of the Kyrgyz Republic warns about the increased risk of apartment burglaries during the New Year holidays

With the onset of the New Year and Christmas holidays, when many people leave their homes, the likelihood of apartment thefts increases. This warning was issued by the press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Police officers emphasize that criminals often take advantage of the prolonged absence of apartment owners for their own benefit.

08.01.2026, 12:12
Local news

The Cabinet plans to reorganize two institutions under the Ministry of Labor.

The Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration is preparing a reorganization of several institutions. The draft resolution, which has been presented for public discussion, proposes significant changes. According to the draft, the Rehabilitation Center will be merged with the Republican Institution for Prosthetic and Orthopedic Products, leading to the creation of a single Republican Institution that will handle prosthetics and rehabilitation for people with disabilities under the

08.01.2026, 12:11
Local news / Exclusive

Laser Backlighting for Pedestrian Crossings. New Traffic Lights Appear in Bishkek. Video

In Bishkek, at the corner of Frunze and Kurmanjan Datka streets, modern traffic lights with laser illumination have been installed, ensuring the safety of pedestrians at crossings. Abylbek uulu Bakai, the director of the municipal enterprise "City Road Transport Infrastructure," noted that in inclement weather, such as during rain or fog, there are numerous cases of pedestrians being hit. The installation of new traffic lights is aimed at reducing such incidents and creating

08.01.2026, 12:03
Local news

Police detained a man suspected of attempting to murder a relative

The events took place in the Chui region, where local police detained a man suspected of attempting to murder a relative. This information was provided by the Main Department of Internal Affairs of the region. According to available data, on January 7, a report was received at the duty station of the Internal Affairs Department of the Issyk-Ata district from B. K., who stated that he had been stabbed by M. A. The victim was urgently transported to the National Surgical Center named after M. M.

08.01.2026, 11:35
Local news

Bookmakers Refused to Pay Those Who Bet on the Invasion of Venezuela

According to the official statement on the Polymarket website, payouts will not be made for those who bet on the possibility of U.S. military intervention in Venezuela. The statement mentions that U.S. President Donald Trump's words about "managing" Venezuela, in the context of ongoing negotiations with the local government, cannot be interpreted as confirmation of preparations for a military invasion aimed at overthrowing [Venezuelan leader Nicolás] Maduro.

08.01.2026, 11:14
In Search of Hope: How Rescue Dogs Find People in Kyrgyzstan
Local news

In Search of Hope: How Rescue Dogs Find People in Kyrgyzstan

In Kyrgyzstan, searches for missing persons often begin too late, when the trails have already faded. However, where technology and human efforts fall short, four-legged rescuers from the canine center "Rescuer" come to the aid. In an interview with 24.kg, volunteers shared stories about the famous Barkhan, their mission in Turkey after the earthquake, and how they search for missing children. They also discussed why they still have to call taxis to get to the places of calls,

08.01.2026, 11:12
Local news

In the Batken Region, a drinking water supply system will be built for the village of Zardaly.

The Capital Construction Management of facilities related to drinking water supply and wastewater disposal has announced the start of procurement for the creation of design and estimate documentation. According to information posted on the government procurement portal, this tender plans to design and construct a water supply system for the village of Zardaly, located in the Kara-Bak rural municipality of the Batken district in the Batken region. The procurement is being conducted through an

08.01.2026, 11:04
Local news

Girl wanted by the police went to the mountains with a young man

According to information, 24-year-old Aimeirim Akshieva was found after her sister reported her missing to the police. The events unfolded as follows: on January 6 at 5:50 PM, Aimeirim went to meet her acquaintance Bakyt Asakeev, with whom she had a relationship. After that, contact with her was lost, and the police immediately began active search operations.

08.01.2026, 10:53
Space around Earth is running out of room
Local news

Space around Earth is running out of room

Currently, there are about 14,000 active objects in low Earth orbit, while the number of large space debris fragments reaches at least 45,000. Traffic in this area resembles the busy highways of a metropolis during rush hour, and the situation continues to worsen. According to researchers, a powerful magnetic storm could lead to catastrophic consequences, depriving humanity of all objects launched into space and surrounding Earth with a ring of debris that would damage any new launches. These

08.01.2026, 10:51