World

The court set a bail of 33 million hryvnias for Yulia Tymoshenko and prohibited her from leaving the Kyiv region.

Yulia Tymoshenko At the hearing, the prosecutor of the Specialized Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) requested bail in the amount of 50 million hryvnias, citing possible risks if the measure were less strict. He pointed to Tymoshenko's financial capabilities and the likelihood of her leaving the country under the pretext of participating in parliamentary events. Tymoshenko's defense, on the contrary, asked the court to refrain from imposing an electronic bracelet and to

18.01.2026, 10:16

Economy

In Kyrgyzstan, investors are set to be issued visas for up to 30 years

This initiative is aimed at attracting foreign investments to the country. In Kyrgyzstan, the possibility of introducing long-term visas for foreign investors is being discussed, with a validity period of up to 30 years. The Deputy Head of the National Investment Agency under the President of the country, Zhalyn Zheenaliev, shared this information.

18.01.2026, 10:06

Society

Historic Agreement on Ocean Protection Takes Effect Today

Today, the world marks the entry into force of a landmark document — the Agreement on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Marine Biological Diversity of Areas Beyond National Jurisdiction. This is reported by the UN News Service. The Agreement was adopted in June 2023 and has so far been signed by 145 countries, of which 81 have already completed the ratification process.

18.01.2026, 10:04

Incidents

An earthquake of magnitude 3 occurred in southern Kyrgyzstan

An earthquake with a magnitude of 3 occurred in the southern part of Kyrgyzstan, according to information from the Institute of Seismology of the National Academy of Sciences. The tremors were registered on January 17 at 19:11 local time.

18.01.2026, 10:01

World / Exclusive

OpenAI Launches Ads in the Free Version of ChatGPT

The company OpenAI has announced the start of testing advertisements in its ChatGPT application. This innovation will affect users of the free version, as well as subscribers of the Go plan. Users who have chosen paid plans such as Plus, Pro, Business, and Enterprise will not see advertisements, according to Kazinform, citing information from OpenAI. According to the company's statements, the introduction of advertising will help reduce a number of limitations for users who do not wish to

18.01.2026, 09:56

Society

A symphonic concert featuring ballet and choir will take place in Bishkek.

On January 20-21, the National Philharmonic named after Toktogul Satylganov will host a unique concert program presented by the State Symphony Orchestra named after A. Jumakmatov, which will combine symphonic music, choral singing, and ballet. According to a statement from the press service of the Ministry of Culture, the concert will feature works by 20th-century composers that create a harmonious unity of music, vocals, and stage movement.

18.01.2026, 09:49

Exclusive

The Cabinet has established an interagency working group on compensation for property for the construction of the China-Kyrgyzstan-Uzbekistan railway.

The Cabinet of Ministers of the Kyrgyz Republic issued order No. 1097-t on December 11, 2025, which established an interdepartmental working group addressing issues related to property affected during the implementation of the construction project for the railway "China—Kyrgyzstan—Uzbekistan" on the section Torugart—Jalal-Abad. Within two months, the working group must accomplish the following tasks: analyze and verify the data from the reports of the appraisal company; coordinate the

18.01.2026, 09:47

World

Snowfalls and Blizzards Expected in the Rivers Ulz and Khalk Basins

Weather conditions for January 18, 2026, from 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM. Main cloudiness is expected in the region. Snowfall and blizzards are predicted in the basins of the Ulz and Khalk rivers. In most places, the wind will blow from the northwest at a speed of 4-9 meters per second, while in Gobi it may reach 14-16 meters per second.

18.01.2026, 09:27

Society

What to Expect for Bishkek Residents at the Beginning of the Week. Weather Forecast for January 19-21

In the first days of the week, no precipitation is expected in Bishkek, according to meteorological forecasts. January 19 is predicted to be cloudy. At night, the temperature will drop to around −12 degrees, while during the day, the air will warm up only to 0 degrees.

18.01.2026, 09:26

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