Gazeta.kg — News of Kyrgyzstan and Bishkek Today
Society

In Karakol, the allocation of benefits for families with children under 3 years old has begun

In Karakol, 449 applications for child benefits for children under 3 years old have already been registered. According to the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers, adopted on September 27, 2025, under number 623, the payment of a monthly allowance called "Assistance to Residents of High Mountain Areas" began on January 12, 2026. It is intended for families living in mountainous and hard-to-reach areas, as well as in certain border villages with special status, who have a third or

21.01.2026, 17:31
Incidents

The police did not arrive at the report of a gunshot in the house. Comment from the Internal Affairs Department of the city of Osh.

In Osh, rumors that appeared on YouTube claiming that the police did not respond to a call after a report of a gunshot in a neighboring house have been refuted. This video was uploaded by a user with the nickname A.E. on January 21, 2026. According to information provided by the press service of the Internal Affairs Department of Osh, the incident was registered at the Nookat District Internal Affairs Department on January 20. Immediately after receiving the report, a district inspector went to

21.01.2026, 17:29
About 100,000 Kyrgyz citizens are experiencing issues with dual PIN - Ministry of Digital Development
Society / Exclusive

About 100,000 Kyrgyz citizens are experiencing issues with dual PIN - Ministry of Digital Development

At the recent meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh, a draft law concerning amendments to the law "On the personalized (individual) accounting of citizens of the Kyrgyz Republic for the purposes of mandatory state social insurance" was discussed. The report on the project was presented by Nursultan Kubanov, the First Deputy Minister of Digital Development and Innovative Technologies. Kubanov noted that the main goal of the draft law is to eliminate internal contradictions and streamline the

21.01.2026, 17:28
Three New Hydroelectric Power Stations Will Be Built in Kyrgyzstan with Foreign Investments
Society / Exclusive

Three New Hydroelectric Power Stations Will Be Built in Kyrgyzstan with Foreign Investments

On January 20, a working meeting took place in Bishkek, attended by the Minister of Energy of Kyrgyzstan Talaybek Ibraev, member of the Board of Directors of the Open Joint Stock Company "Central Asian Investment Holding" Gezer Selchuk, Chairman of the Board Sur Mukhammet Haluk, as well as Deputy Chairman of the Board of Directors Tariel Ermeev and other representatives of the company. According to the ministry, the meeting discussed issues related to the preparation of a preliminary

21.01.2026, 17:28
Health

The deputy proposed to include a maternity hospital and a clinic in the capital investments for 2026 in the village of Kashkar Kyshtak.

Ilimbek Kubanychbekov, a deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh, stated the need for the construction of a maternity hospital and a clinic in the village of Kashkar Kyshtak, located in the Kara-Suu district (Ala-Too ayil okmotu). As the deputy noted, the project documentation was developed last year, and funds have already been allocated for these purposes. A plot of land measuring 1 hectare and 70 sotiks has been selected for construction.

21.01.2026, 17:27
Imports from Central Asian countries to China increased by 14% and reached 35.1 billion dollars
Economy / Exclusive

Imports from Central Asian countries to China increased by 14% and reached 35.1 billion dollars

According to Liu Jiangping, the Ambassador of the People's Republic of China in Kyrgyzstan, the volume of imports from Central Asian countries to China reached $35.1 billion, which is a 14% increase compared to last year. This information was announced at a recent press conference. Liu Jiangping noted that the structure of imports is becoming increasingly diverse, with an increase in the supply of not only traditional resources but also chemical products, metallurgical products, and

21.01.2026, 17:23
France proposed NATO to conduct exercises in Greenland
World

France proposed NATO to conduct exercises in Greenland

France has proposed to conduct NATO exercises in Greenland, according to a report by CNN citing the Élysée Palace. Last week, at Denmark's request, several European countries, including France, sent troops to the island for the "Arctic Resilience" exercises. According to NATO's official website, the exercises can last from one day to several weeks. Depending on the objectives set, they can involve either a few officers for specific tasks or thousands of military personnel

21.01.2026, 17:19
Health

The deputy requests to provide "Gleevec" in the south so that cancer patients do not have to travel to Bishkek every month.

At the parliamentary meeting on January 21, Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Zhyldyz Egenberdieva raised an important issue regarding the supply of the drug "Gleevec" for patients with oncological diseases. She emphasized the problems of medical care in one of the villages of the Osh region. According to Egenberdieva, since 2004, cases of "chronic leukemia" have been registered in Kyrgyzstan, and currently their number exceeds 500, of which 90% are adults and 10% are children.

21.01.2026, 17:17
In 2025, China's export volume to Central Asian countries reached 71.2 billion US dollars.
Economy / Exclusive

In 2025, China's export volume to Central Asian countries reached 71.2 billion US dollars.

According to information provided by Liu Jiangping, the Chinese ambassador to Kyrgyzstan, in 2025, the volume of goods exported from China to Central Asian countries reached a record amount of 71.2 billion US dollars. This figure is 11% higher than the previous year's level. The announcement was made in an official statement by the ambassador. He also noted that particularly strong growth is observed in the machinery and high-tech sectors. Products from the "new trio" category

21.01.2026, 17:17
The scholar and literary critic Omor Sooronov has passed away
Society

The scholar and literary critic Omor Sooronov has passed away

On January 21, at the age of 86, after a prolonged illness, Omor Sooronov passed away — an outstanding figure in the culture of Kyrgyzstan. This information was provided by the press service of the Ministry of Culture. Omor Sooronov was a well-known literary scholar, poet, and writer, as well as a member of the Union of Writers of Kyrgyzstan. He was awarded the State Prize in the field of science and technology and received the Order of "Manas" III degree. Additionally, he held the

21.01.2026, 17:16
Artificial Intelligence in Religion. Digital Ethics Discussed in Egypt
Society

Artificial Intelligence in Religion. Digital Ethics Discussed in Egypt

From January 19 to 29, the XXXVI International Conference of the Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs was held in Cairo, focusing on the theme "Professions in Islam: Ethics, Influence, and the Future in the Age of Artificial Intelligence." This significant event is supported by the President of Egypt, Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, as reported by the press service of the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan. Photo by the Spiritual Administration of Muslims of Kyrgyzstan The

21.01.2026, 17:16
Economy

Personal QR codes for business are banned. Banks are blocking accounts, cash is requested at the market.

Since 2020, there has been a steady increase in cashless payments in Kyrgyzstan. According to the National Bank, in the first 11 months of 2025, there were 454.8 million transactions amounting to 778.1 billion soms, which is 8.5 and 12.2 times more than in the same period of 2024. The cashless payment system, based on mobile banking and QR codes, seemed convenient, but in 2026 there was a failure. Many small businesses began to demand cash for their goods and services.

21.01.2026, 17:13
Education

Deputy: 900 students study at Zhapalakska School No. 48 with a capacity of 350 seats

Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Altynbek Kudayberdiev drew attention to the serious problem of overcrowding at school No. 48, located in Japalak, Osh city. As the deputy noted, the educational institution is designed for 350 students, but in fact, about 900 children are studying there. This creates an urgent need for the construction of an additional building for the school.

21.01.2026, 17:10
Education

The deputy requests to start the construction of new kindergartens in the villages of Ottuk and Lipenka: projects and sites are ready

At the parliamentary meeting on January 21, Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Rahat Junushbaeva emphasized the importance of building kindergartens in the Issyk-Kul region. She reported that in the village of Ottyk in the Ton district, the existing kindergarten is located on the territory of an old school and operates only three hours a day, which does not meet the needs of local children. Junushbaeva noted that a land plot for a new kindergarten in the village has already been allocated, and the

21.01.2026, 17:10
Society

At the IZO Museum, a lecture titled "When Mountains Fall: The Art of Landscape in Soviet Kyrgyzstan" will take place.

On January 23, a lecture will be held at the National Museum of Fine Arts named after Gapar Aitiev, conducted by Stephanie Dvaretskas on the topic "When Mountains Fall: The Art of Landscape in Soviet Kyrgyzstan." According to the press service of the Ministry of Culture, the event will be held in English as part of the exhibition "Another Landscape. Art, History, Ecology."

21.01.2026, 17:07
The Era of Global "Water Bankruptcy" is Coming, Warned the UN
Exclusive

The Era of Global "Water Bankruptcy" is Coming, Warned the UN

Madani emphasizes in his report that the situation has reached a critical point, and freshwater resources can no longer be replenished. "The irreversibility of this process means that we have destroyed vital natural reserves necessary for life," he says. Since the early 1990s, water levels in most large lakes have significantly decreased, and dozens of rivers have stopped flowing into seas during certain seasons. Additionally, about a third of glacier mass has been lost since the

21.01.2026, 17:05
Health

In Uzgen, certain batches of Nestle baby food have been recalled

In the Uzgen district, some batches of baby food under the "Nestlé" (Russia) brand were seized. This information was received from the Uzgen District Center for Disease Prevention and State Sanitary and Epidemiological Surveillance. According to the agency, this decision was made as part of safety measures due to the possible presence of cereulide toxin in one of the raw material components.

21.01.2026, 17:02
Incidents

In India, a rampaging elephant killed 22 people, including an infant, in 10 days

In India, an elephant that caused panic claimed the lives of 22 people in just 10 days, including an eight-month-old baby and a zoologist invited to tame it. This was reported by the publication Thirty Mile Zone. The animal, known for its single tusk, resides in the vicinity of the town of Chaibasa in the state of Jharkhand. The first attack occurred on New Year's Day when the elephant killed a family with two children. After that, incidents of aggression continued to occur. Authorities

21.01.2026, 16:58
Education

In the village of Zhilgeldi, children study in an old kindergarten building — the deputy requests to build a new one

Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh Ilimbek Kubanychbekov proposed on January 21 the construction of a new kindergarten in the village of Zhyldeldy (Ala-Tuu ayil okmotu) of the Kara-Suu district. He noted that currently, children are forced to study in a dilapidated building of the existing kindergarten. Kubanychbekov emphasized the importance of preschool education, highlighting that it lays the foundation for the future development of the country.

21.01.2026, 16:57
Incidents / Exclusive

Car Shattered. Driver Sustained Serious Injuries in Accident on the Outskirts of Bishkek

A serious traffic accident occurred in the Bishkek area, resulting in one of the drivers being in extremely critical condition in the hospital. According to information from the patrol police, the incident took place on January 21 at around 09:00. The driver, born in 2006, named A.D.M., behind the wheel of a Toyota Carina, lost control while driving along the Vasilievsky tract towards the Dostuk residential area.

21.01.2026, 16:56
In the Talas Region, an illegally constructed asphalt concrete plant has been identified
Exclusive

In the Talas Region, an illegally constructed asphalt concrete plant has been identified

Screenshot Raid activities are conducted on a regular basis at all construction sites in Talas. The Ministry of Construction urges both organizations and individuals engaged in construction to strictly adhere to the legislative norms and regulations established in the Kyrgyz Republic. Special attention is paid to compliance with technical regulations and standards in construction to ensure the safety of citizens. Raids at construction sites will continue across the country, including on

21.01.2026, 16:55