Kyrgyzstan halts Russia’s Mir payment cards amid sanctions pressure
The national payments operator of Kyrgyzstan cited the US Treasury’s decision to sanction the Russian National Card Payment System, the operator behind Mir, as a primary reason for the cessation.
Rayimbek Matraimov arrested upon return to Kyrgyzstan
Matraimov, who has faced numerous allegations of corruption, was apprehended in Azerbaijan and subsequently flown back to his home country, where he was taken into custody by the State Committee for National Security (GKNB).
UNESCO raises alarm over threats to Bukhara’s historic integrity
The controversy stems from the Uzbek government’s recent construction and demolition work near Bukhara’s historic zones.
Kyrgyzstan eyes uranium mining and nuclear power revival
Kyrgyzstan is contemplating a significant shift in its energy and economic strategy by seeking to restart uranium mining and construct a Russian-built nuclear power plant.
Uzbekistan sentences 23 in deadly cough syrup scandal
A court in Uzbekistan sentenced 23 people to prison on Monday for their roles in a scandal that killed 68 children and exposed the country’s lax regulation of imported medicine.
Journalists detained in Kyrgyz media crackdown
The raids began on Monday, when officers from the State Committee for National Security, the country’s main intelligence agency, stormed the newsroom of 24.KG, one of the oldest and most respected online news outlets in Kyrgyzstan.
Land Agreement Expected in Kyrgyz-Tajik Conflict
A long-standing border dispute between Kyrgyzstan and Tajikistan, which has sparked deadly clashes in recent years, may soon be resolved with a landmark agreement expected...
Kazakhstan removes Taliban from list of prohibited groups
Kazakhstan has removed the Taliban, the militant Islamic movement that seized power in Afghanistan in 2021, from its list of banned organizations, the Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday.
HUMO Air: new low-cost airline takes off in Uzbekistan
HUMO Air, a new low-cost airline based in Uzbekistan, launched its first scheduled flight on Wednesday, connecting the capital city of Tashkent with the historic city of Samarkand.
Debate rages in Kyrgyzstan over contentious flag redesign
The initiative has drawn criticism from opposition parties, civil society groups and ordinary citizens, who accuse the president and his allies of trying to impose their personal preferences on the nation and distract from more pressing issues.