Incidents

An earthquake of magnitude three occurred in southern Kyrgyzstan.

On January 17 at 19:11, an earthquake with a magnitude of 3 was recorded in the south of Kyrgyzstan. This information was provided by the Institute of Seismology of the National Academy of Sciences. The epicenter of the earthquake was located 5 kilometers southwest of the village of Sovetskoye, 9 kilometers southeast of the village of Sary-Otek, 18 kilometers southeast of the village of Kyzyl-Korgon, and 42 kilometers northeast of Batken.

18.01.2026, 09:22

Society / Exclusive

Oruntaev conducted an inspection of construction sites in Bishkek

The Minister of Construction, Architecture, and Housing and Communal Services of the Kyrgyz Republic, Nurdun Oruntaev, conducted an inspection of several construction sites in Bishkek on January 17. During the inspection, as reported by the ministry, numerous violations of construction legislation and technical safety standards were identified at a residential complex located on Ankara Street and owned by LLC "Aalam Stroy." Violations were recorded in more than ten blocks of this

18.01.2026, 09:14

Economy

The GNS has reduced the tax to 0.1% for entrepreneurs working abroad.

The State Tax Service of the Kyrgyz Republic has announced a reduction in the unified tax rate for entrepreneurs conducting their activities abroad. The tax rate for these taxpayers has now been decreased tenfold, from 1% to 0.1%.

18.01.2026, 09:14

Incidents

In Bishkek, a suspect in the attempted murder of a girl has been detained

According to information provided by the press service of the Sverdlovsk District Police Department, a suspect in the attempted murder of a girl has been detained in Bishkek. Photo by the Sverdlovsk District Police Department of Bishkek The incident occurred on January 15 on Jumabek Street. The victim reported that her acquaintance forcibly pushed her into a car and attempted to commit murder. However, taking advantage of the moment, she managed to break free and escape from her attacker. She

18.01.2026, 09:07

Society

Kokpar Included in the Program of the World Nomad Games - 2026

The organizers emphasize the neutrality of the tournament and the importance of preserving traditional culture In 2026, as part of the VI World Nomad Games, which will take place in Kyrgyzstan, two types of equestrian sports will be presented — Kyrgyz kok-boru and Kazakh kokpar. This was announced by Kazybek Moldazhiyev, the director of the State Agency for Physical Culture and Sports.

18.01.2026, 09:04

Society

Temperature Records. The coldest temperature on January 18 in Bishkek was recorded in 1943.

According to the resource "Weather and Climate," on January 18, 1943, a record low temperature of −25.9 degrees was recorded in Bishkek. On this day, the capital experienced severe frosts. On the other end of the spectrum, the warmest January 18 was in 2021, when the temperature rose to +16.1 degrees. The "Weather and Climate" website collects data on climate conditions worldwide. Temperature records for each day are determined based on the highest and lowest values

18.01.2026, 08:48

Economy

Thousands of Sewing Workshops Closed in Kyrgyzstan

At a recent meeting of the "Ala-Too" parliamentary group, representatives of the light industry reported serious problems in their sector. More than 3,000 sewing workshops in the country have ceased operations, leading to mass job losses. Entrepreneurs appealed to the deputies for urgent assistance, highlighting a number of issues that have paralyzed their work. The main factors contributing to the crisis include difficulties in collaborating with large marketplaces and limited

18.01.2026, 08:37

Economy

In Kadamzha, farmers are being trained in future technologies

In the Kadamjai district of the Batken region, a significant seminar "AgroZooVet-2026" was held, initiated by the Ministry of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry of the Kyrgyz Republic. The aim of this event was to introduce modern technologies into the practices of farmers, veterinarians, and agronomists. The organizers focused on increasing productivity in livestock farming and developing the processing industry oriented towards export.

18.01.2026, 08:26

Society

Week-24. When will the fasting begin and how tax officials were punished for corruption

In Kyrgyzstan and other Muslim countries, Ramadan (Orozo ayi) will begin on February 18. The Night of Power (Lailat al-Qadr) is expected to fall on the night of March 16-17, traditionally occurring on the 27th night of Ramadan. The end of fasting, Orozo ait, is scheduled for March 20, when Muslims gather for the festive Ait prayer, and a public holiday is declared throughout the country. Photo from the internet. Altynbek Abduvayev and his deputy Islambek Kydyrgichov Altynbek Abduvayev, the

18.01.2026, 08:11

Incidents

In Bishkek, 14-year-old Arsen Akylbekov has been found

On January 18, the press service of the Internal Affairs Department of the Lenin District reported that a boy named Arsen Urmatovich Akylbekov, born in 2011, was found in Bishkek. Investigations are currently ongoing to clarify all the circumstances of his disappearance.

18.01.2026, 08:06

Incidents

In 2025, nearly 704 kg of synthetic drugs were seized, - FSB of the Ministry of Internal Affairs

The Drug Control Service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, together with colleagues from neighboring countries, continues its active fight against drug crime, as reported by the agency's press service. As of the end of 2025, nearly 704 kg of synthetic substances were seized, which represents a 21-fold increase compared to the figures for 2024. According to the drug police, this corresponds to more than 4 million 222 thousand single doses.

18.01.2026, 04:29

Incidents

In Bishkek, a brothel for providing intimate services was discovered on Tugolbay-Ata Street. Video

According to information provided by the administration of the Pervomaisky District, on January 16, employees of the akimat and the district police conducted a preventive inspection, during which a brothel was discovered on Tugolbay-Ata Street. This brothel was engaged in providing intimate services. As a result of the inspection, administrative protocols were drawn up for three women. Explanatory work was also carried out with them in accordance with current legislation.

18.01.2026, 03:47

Incidents

14-Year-Old Arsen Akylbekov Missing in Bishkek

The press service of the Lenin District Internal Affairs Department reported the disappearance of Akylbekov Arsen Urmatovich, born in 2011. The boy went missing on January 15, leaving his home in the Archa-Beshik residential area around 11 a.m. and did not return. The teenager's father contacted the police only on January 17.

18.01.2026, 02:55

Sports

The deputy requests to expedite the reconstruction of the stadium in the Aitmatov district

At a meeting of the Jogorku Kenesh, Deputy Dastan Jumabekov touched on the important topic of the renovation of the stadium located in the Aitmatov district. According to him, there is a significant football stadium in the village of Kyzyl-Adyr, for which reconstruction work was planned in 2023. However, the project was subsequently put on hold.

18.01.2026, 01:38

Politics

Chairman of the CEC of the Kyrgyz Republic Tynchtyk Shainazarov commented on the accusations of Zhyldyzkan Zholdosheva

The Chairman of the Central Commission for Elections and Referendums, Tynchtyk Shainazarov, responded to the statements made by Zhyldyzkan Zholdosheva, who previously claimed a parliamentary mandate in the Jogorku Kenesh. Zholdosheva participated in the early elections held on November 30, 2025, and managed to garner a record number of votes among women—2,590—running in constituency No. 8. However, later the district electoral commission decided to annul the voting results at polling stations

18.01.2026, 01:17

Society

Near Bishkek, the construction of an alternative road to the airport is being considered.

On January 17, the Deputy Prime Minister of the Kyrgyz Republic and Minister of Water Resources, Agriculture, and Processing Industry Bakyt Torobaev was briefed on the plans for the construction of an alternative road to Manas International Airport. This was reported by the press service of the Ministry of Transport. At the meeting, Minister of Transport Abasattar Syrgabaev and his colleagues discussed the goals of the new project, as well as its technical specifications and implementation

18.01.2026, 00:27

Economy

The Ministry of Construction identified violations at the construction company "Aalam Stroy"

- On January 17, the Minister of Construction of the Kyrgyz Republic, Nurdana Oruntaev, visited several construction sites in Bishkek, during which he identified violations at a residential complex located on Ankara Street, being built by the company "Aalam Stroy." According to information from the ministry, more than 10 blocks of the facility do not meet the requirements of construction legislation and safety standards. Additionally, it was found that the company used the services of

17.01.2026, 23:59

Economy

How much does a ton of coal cost in At-Bashy?

According to the akimat, in the At-Bashinsky district of the Naryn region, a ton of coal costs 6400 soms. Coal is delivered to the district from Kara-Keche on a regular basis.

17.01.2026, 23:47

Society

The Pishpek District is left without gas and heating

In the Pishpek district, located in Bishkek, residents are reporting a serious problem — a mass gas outage. The situation is alarming, as gas is the only source of heating for many homes in this area. Local residents expressed their concerns in a conversation with the editorial office of VB.KG.

17.01.2026, 23:36

Society

In Kemin, advertising on the slopes of the mountains is being dismantled.

In the Kemin area, located in the Chuy region, work has begun on the dismantling of advertising images situated on the slopes of the mountains along the road leading to Lake Issyk-Kul. This information was confirmed to the Turmush correspondent by the local state administration. According to the administration, during a meeting in the region, the presidential envoy Azamat Osmonov instructed to remove the advertisements that spoil the natural landscape of the mountains.

17.01.2026, 23:22

Incidents

An earthquake has been registered in the Batken region.

According to information published by the Ministry of Emergency Situations of Kyrgyzstan, an earthquake with a magnitude of up to 2.5 occurred in the country. As reported by the Institute of Seismology of the Kyrgyz Republic, a seismic tremor was registered on January 17 at 19:11, with a magnitude of 3 at the epicenter.

17.01.2026, 23:13

World

Protests Against Trump's Statements on Greenland Take Place in Denmark

A large-scale demonstration took place in Copenhagen, gathering thousands of participants who protested against U.S. President Donald Trump's threats of a possible takeover of Greenland and expressed support for the people of the region. This was reported by Danmarks Radio. Protesters held flags of Greenland and banners with slogans such as "Hands off Greenland." The scene, the square in front of the town hall in the Danish capital, was filled with people, after which they headed

17.01.2026, 22:42

Politics

Bekeshev: The Housing Committee will discuss loans for businesses at 6% per annum on January 19

Deputy of the Jogorku Kenesh, Dastan Bekeshev, informed about the upcoming committee meeting, which will take place on January 19 at 14:00. According to him, the agenda includes the discussion of ten different issues. Among the topics will be the government's initiative to reduce the retention periods for credit information. It is proposed to decrease the retention period for positive credit history from 7 to 5 years, and for negative history from 5 to 3 years. It is also planned to

17.01.2026, 22:36

Politics

Turat Akimov: Syimyq Zhapikeev Apologizes for His Words About Aitmatov

Syimyk Japikeev, the former head of the Financial Police, published an apology for his statements about the famous Kyrgyz writer Chingiz Aitmatov. This news was announced by journalist and public figure Turat Akimov on his social media page.

17.01.2026, 22:28