For the first time in its history, the European Union did not import petroleum products from Russia in January 2026. This data was presented by Eurostat, which has been publishing trade information since 1999. Against this backdrop, Saudi Arabia, the USA, the UK, India, and Singapore have become the main suppliers of petroleum products to the EU.
As part of the Nowruz celebration in Naryn, 100 meters of chuchuk and beshbarmak were prepared, made possible by the efforts of the project "Aryba Kyrgyzmyndyn Narktylugh", led by Zhyldyz Kokonbay. For this event, four horses were slaughtered, and 300 kilograms of noodles were used for the beshbarmak, of which 50 kilograms were handmade.
Frame from the series "Daredevil: Born Again". Source: internet. In the last week of March (from the 23rd to the 29th), viewers will be able to enjoy a multitude of new premieres covering a wide range of genres: from classic detective noir in Oslo to epic continuations of fantastic sagas about superheroes and space. Film enthusiasts will see both completely new thrillers, full of tension, and continuations of beloved crime stories, where the expertise of professionals becomes the
During this conversation, Putin congratulated Tokayev on the successful holding of the nationwide referendum and the adoption of the new Constitution of the country. The leaders discussed issues related to bilateral relations. Tokayev emphasized the significance of Putin's upcoming state visit to Kazakhstan at the end of May, which is expected to strengthen the strategic partnership and allied ties between the two countries.
According to World Air Quality, as of 11:00 Bishkek ranks tenth among the largest cities in the world for air quality. The city has been classified as "unhealthy for sensitive groups," with an air quality index (AQI) of 121. This data is available in real-time on the specified website.
President Trump, in his message on the Truth Social platform, noted that the U.S. is focused on the complete destruction of Iranian missile installations, as well as the elimination of Iran's air and naval forces, including their air defense systems. Additionally, he emphasized that one of the main tasks remains preventing Iran from developing nuclear weapons.
The US Treasury announced a temporary suspension of the ban on the purchase and sale of Iranian oil on Friday, March 20. The license published by the department allows trading in oil and petroleum products from Iran, provided they are already in transit at this time. However, new deals are prohibited. Scott Bessent, the US Secretary of the Treasury, characterized this decision as "specific" and "short-term." He noted that it would allow about 140 million barrels of oil to
During the Nowruz celebration in Naryn, President Sadyr Japarov announced that currently, projects in the fields of construction, road construction, irrigation, and water supply are being implemented in the Naryn region, with a total cost reaching 21 billion soms. In his speech, it was noted that 143 facilities are actively being constructed in the construction sector. Over the past five years, 51 social facilities have been put into operation, including kindergartens, schools, and medical
Reports have emerged in the U.S. Congress about the intention to expand economic cooperation with Uzbekistan. According to the agency "Uzdaily," Congresswoman Carol Miller expressed support during hearings for granting the republic the status of Permanent Normal Trade Relations (PNTR). She noted that this step would serve as a foundation for strengthening bilateral relations and creating conditions for relocating supply chains from China to Central Asia.
According to U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, Washington is introducing a "narrowly targeted short-term exemption" that applies only to oil that is already in transit. He clarified that this measure does not imply new purchases or an increase in production, nor does it lift pressure on Iran or restrictions on its access to the international financial system. According to estimates from U.S. authorities, the temporary release of these volumes of oil to the market could help
Nurlan Apsamatov, a 38-year-old resident of the village of Koshkorgon in the Chui region, is engaged in breeding Kyrgyz dogs of the Taigan breed. The Taigan, which he purchased for 12,000 soms, immediately participated in wolf hunting competitions the very next day, taking 2nd place.
The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic has updated a number of its decisions regarding the collection of non-tax revenues from subsoil users. The resolution, signed on March 9, 2026, aims to implement subparagraph 5 of paragraph 3 of Article 16 of the Code on Non-Tax Revenues. The changes made affect provisions related to the Ministry of Natural Resources, Ecology and Technical Supervision, as well as the Kyrgyz Geological Service.
A state of force majeure has been declared in Iraq for all oil fields under the control of foreign companies. This is reported by Reuters, citing sources in the Iraqi Ministry of Oil. The reason for this decision is the military conflicts in the Middle East region, which have disrupted navigation in the Strait of Hormuz. This, in turn, has led to the blockage of significant volumes of Iraqi oil exports.
In the capital of Kyrgyzstan, a man suspected of fraud and wanted by law enforcement has been detained. This was reported by the internal affairs department of the Lenin district. According to law enforcement agencies, a citizen named Y. S. filed a complaint with the internal affairs department regarding the actions of A. D.
Throughout the week, significant personnel changes were made in Kyrgyzstan. Bakyt Torobaev has been appointed as the special representative of the president for special assignments. Previously, he held the position of Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Agriculture.
As a result of a traffic accident that occurred three days ago in the Kara-Suu district of the Osh region, a man has died. This was reported by the Road Safety Department. According to the Road Safety Department, the incident took place in the village of Kyrgyz-Chek, where the driver of a Honda Civic lost control of his vehicle, crashed into a Daewoo Matiz, and hit a man who was standing on the roadside.
In Naryn, numerous construction initiatives are actively underway, with 143 projects currently in progress. Over the past five years, 51 social facilities have been completed in the region, including 21 schools, 8 kindergartens, 3 hospitals, 9 sports halls, and 2 government institutions.
- In Bishkek, three citizens of Kyrgyzstan were fined for conducting currency exchange operations without the appropriate license from the National Bank. According to information provided by the National Bank, fines were issued to citizens E.Ö.T, R.R.S, and T.A.B. Each of them is required to pay 17,500 soms.
On March 20, a solemn event dedicated to the celebration of Nowruz took place in Bishkek at the Kyrgyz National Theater "Manas." The event gathered numerous guests, including residents of the capital, storytellers (manaschi), young poets, theater staff, and members of the group "Aruu Nur." The program was rich and diverse, reflecting the wealth of Kyrgyz traditions. During the celebration, the audience enjoyed excerpts from the epic "Manas," participated in akyn
The report of the Eurasian Development Bank (EDB) indicates that Kyrgyzstan ranks 47th in the global Sustainable Development Goals index and 78th in the Energy Transition Index (ETI), which is published annually by the World Economic Forum (WEF). These data highlight the country's achievements in the field of energy in Central Asia. According to the authors of the report, Kyrgyzstan demonstrates higher results compared to Kazakhstan and Tajikistan. This indicates progress in sustainable
On March 21, a vibrant celebration of Nowruz will take place in Naryn. According to the Ministry of Culture of the Kyrgyz Republic, events will begin at 11:00 in the central square named after Turdakun Usubaliev. It is expected that the country's president will attend the celebration, which will give the event special significance. Guests will be welcomed with theatrical performances and bright prologues, creating an atmosphere of a national holiday.
In connection with the holiday of Nowruz, which will take place on March 21, all divisions of the Open Joint Stock Company "National Electric Network of Kyrgyzstan" (NESC) are operating in their usual mode to ensure stable electricity supply to the population. The Ministry of Energy reported that on the holiday, duty teams have been established in the district electrical networks, which include branch managers.
The celebration of Nowruz took place in Naryn, with the participation of the country's president. The president, along with the First Lady Aigul Japarova, tried the traditional dish — sumolok.
During a one-day working trip scheduled for March 21, the President of the Kyrgyz Republic, Sadyr Japarov, will visit the Naryn region. The press secretary of the head of state, Askhat Alagozov, shared this information. As part of the visit, the president will participate in festive events dedicated to Nowruz — an ancient holiday symbolizing unity, renewal, and the continuity of cultural traditions.
The city hall, in collaboration with the municipal enterprise "Bishkekzelenstroy" and district administrations, is launching an ambitious plan for the reconstruction and construction of public spaces. The main goal is not only to update green plantings but also to radically transform the infrastructure for recreation. In parks and squares, pedestrian paths will be repaired, modern lighting will be installed, and new leisure zones for city residents will be created. Special attention
In the Kara-Suu district of the Osh region, in the village of Kyrgyz-Chek, a terrible traffic accident occurred, resulting in the death of one person. The recording of the incident quickly spread on social media.
May your hearts be filled with love and kindness, and your homes with warmth and comfort! Nowruz is one of the oldest and most vibrant holidays, symbolizing renewal, harmony, and the beginning of a new life. For centuries, our ancestors greeted this day with special excitement, realizing that nature awakens and light triumphs over darkness. Today, surrounded by family and loved ones, we share warmth, kind words, and hopes for a bright future. May peace, abundance, and mutual understanding
School is not just a place for learning; it is an environment that affects the health, behavior, and success of students. In Kyrgyzstan, despite the existence of standards for "safe and green schools," the situation encountered by journalists from VB.KG raises concerns. Instead of creating protective "green walls" of plants that could shield children from pollution, even the shrubs that have long served this purpose are being removed from school yards. School
The UN is concerned about the dual pressure on the civilian population At a meeting of the UN Human Rights Council in Geneva, the issue of human rights in Iran was discussed in the context of the ongoing regional crisis. Participants in the interactive dialogue noted that civilians are facing dual pressure: military actions and internal repression are having a devastating impact on them. Sara Hussein, head of the Independent International Fact-Finding Mission, emphasized that the civilian
- In Bishkek, five exchange offices were fined for non-compliance with the requirements of the legislation established by the National Bank. According to information provided by the NBKR, each of these institutions received a fine of 55,000 soms, which totals 275,000 soms.
“During a business mission in Ulaanbaatar, Kazakh companies signed export agreements totaling $62.6 million with Mongolian partners, marking another step towards strengthening trade relations between the two countries,” reports MiddleAsianNews. The Kazakh delegation was headed by Aizhan Bizhanova, the First Deputy Minister of Trade and Integration. She noted that Mongolia represents a promising direction for Kazakhstan's non-resource exports.
At a meeting organized in the building of the CSTO Secretariat, the heads of national headquarters discussed the results of the ongoing operation to combat crimes in the field of information technology, known as "PROXY." The Deputy Secretary General of the CSTO, Valery Semerikov, opening the meeting, noted the successes achieved over the past year, emphasizing that despite the increasingly complex international situation, competent authorities successfully addressed non-standard
Photo by the Administration of the President of the Kyrgyz Republic. Celebrating Nowruz, archival photos Nowruz, celebrated in Central Asia, is one of the most significant holidays, symbolizing the arrival of spring and the beginning of the new year according to the solar-lunar calendar. For some, this period is a time for family gatherings and traditional rituals, while for others, it is a reason to discuss its role in religious life.
The Prime Minister of Mongolia, Zandan Shatar Gombojav, held a meeting with Pham Tuan, a fighter pilot and the first astronaut of Asia, who is also a Hero of the Soviet Union and the People's Armed Forces of Vietnam. Pham Tuan, a lieutenant general of the Vietnam Air Force, expressed gratitude for the warm welcome and noted his closeness to Mongolia. He spoke about his numerous visits to this country, the first of which took place in 1965, as well as how he observed Mongolia from space.
Illustrative image Under the new rules, which will come into effect on April 2, foreign citizens will be required to pay a bond of $15,000 to obtain B1 or B2 visas, intended for business trips and tourism to the USA. The bond will be refunded to those who meet the conditions of their visa agreement and return home after the visa expires. The list of new countries now required to pay the visa bond includes Cambodia, Ethiopia, Georgia, Grenada, Lesotho, Mauritius, Mongolia, Mozambique,
Congratulations have been received by Adylbek Kasymaliev, Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers and Head of the Presidential Administration of Kyrgyzstan, from foreign prime ministers on the occasion of the celebration of Nowruz. Irakli Kobakhidze, Prime Minister of Georgia, expressed his best wishes: “Happy Nowruz, a symbol of peace and renewal, I congratulate you and the people of Kyrgyzstan on behalf of the government and people of Georgia. We value the friendly relations with your country
The application campaign for the international film festival named after Valentina Leontieva and held under the title "From the Heart" has concluded. This was reported by the Union of Cinematographers of Russia. From January 21 to March 15, the festival organization received about 420 applications from authors from various countries, including Russia, India, Belarus, Serbia, Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan, and Uzbekistan.
The Bishkek City Hall reported that heating in the city may be turned off as early as next week. According to established norms, if the average daily temperature rises to +8 degrees and remains at this level for at least five consecutive days, the authorities usually decide to end the heating season.
The U.S. Department of the Treasury has decided to temporarily suspend sanctions on Iranian oil for a period of 30 days. This information is contained in a general license published by the agency. According to the announcement, restrictions on the trade of oil and petroleum products from Iran will be lifted until April 19. This applies to shipments that were loaded and in transit as of March 20.
According to the resource "Weather and Climate," the warmest day on March 21 in Bishkek was recorded in 1971. On that day, the air temperature reached +26.1 degrees.
The Lenin District Court of Ivanovo (Russia) has sentenced two foreigners involved in a criminal organization engaged in drug trafficking. According to a press release from the regional court, among the convicted are a 31-year-old woman from Kyrgyzstan and a 32-year-old man from Tajikistan. According to the case materials, the woman, who lived in the Moscow region, was involved in packaging large batches of narcotic substances. Her accomplice, in turn, was responsible for transportation and
The editorial team of VB.KG sincerely congratulates all Kyrgyzstanis on the arrival of the spring holiday of Nowruz.
On the territory of Kyrgyzstan, on the day when Orozо Ait was celebrated, an earthquake with a magnitude of about three occurred. This data was provided by the Institute of Seismology of the National Academy of Sciences. According to the information, the tremors were felt on March 20 at 18:52.
Turmush continues to introduce readers to Kyrgyzstani individuals who study and work outside their country. Guliza Aitkulova, originally from the Talas region, shared her impressions of life, education, and work in South Korea, as well as her plans aimed at improving the educational system in Kyrgyzstan.
In Kara-Balta, work is nearing completion to prepare the central square for the Nowruz holiday. The festive event is scheduled for March 21 and will take place in the square near the Lenin Cultural Palace. Currently, traditional swings have already been installed, an ethnovillage is being constructed, and large LED screens are being set up.
Nowruz is one of the oldest holidays of humanity, celebrated for thousands of years. Our ancestors knew that on this day, the length of the day equals the night, and from then on, the time of long days and spring work begins. Today, in every family, when gathering around a laid dastorkon, people express their hopes and bless each other, wishing happiness and well-being.
In the village of Frunze, located in the Aiyl district of Manas in the Sokuluk region of Chui province, preparations are actively underway for the celebration of Nowruz. Turmush spoke with Urmatbek Albanov, who is the village elder and actively participates in community life. He has been observing the fast during the month of Orozo for 41 years.
In 2022, the city of Tokmok will be remembered for a special event: on July 9, a festive Eid prayer was held for the first time, and possibly the last time, in the central square named after Sultan Ibraimov. This event, dedicated to Kurban Eid, took place not in mosques, as is traditionally done, but in an open square, which attracted a significant number of people.
