Shortened Spring Break for Schoolchildren in Kyrgyzstan This academic year, schoolchildren in Kyrgyzstan will have a significantly shortened spring break. According to the educational curriculum, students will only have a one-day break on Friday, March 6th, with classes resuming on Monday, March 9th. The reduction in spring break duration is a result of changes in the Labor Code of the Kyrgyz Republic, leading to adjustments in holiday periods. With the total number of days off set at 30 for the academic year, students will have limited breaks, studying for over 100 days until the May holidays with only one day off between winter and spring breaks. The upcoming academic year's schedule allocates breaks as follows: Autumn Break – 5 days, Winter Holidays – 12 days, Spring Break – 3 days, and May Holidays – 10 days.

Deputy Minister's Absence Sparks Criticism at Committee Meeting At a meeting of the Committee on Science, Education, Innovation Development, Information Technology, and Culture of the Jogorku Kenesh, Deputy Minister Ainura Orozbaeva failed to arrive promptly. The session was supposed to address a bill proposed by the Ministry of Labor, Social Protection, and Migration, but Orozbaeva's late arrival disrupted the proceedings. The committee chair, Toktobubu Ashimbayeva, expressed dissatisfaction with Orozbaeva's repeated irresponsible behavior towards the deputies. Ashimbayeva highlighted that Orozbaeva had previously missed a meeting and once even sent a senior official in her place. The committee decided not to wait for Orozbaeva and decided to draft a letter to the Cabinet of Ministers to address her behavior.

Large-Scale Raid Uncovers Drug Activity in Bishkek In Bishkek, the capital of Kyrgyzstan, a specialized unit focused on combating illegal drug trafficking recently carried out a significant operation. The operation targeted various nightclubs and internet establishments to identify potential channels for drug distribution and enhance safety in leisure venues. The raid involved a comprehensive effort with the participation of criminal investigators, K-9 units, and special forces. Multiple popular clubs, entertainment spots, and internet cafes were scrutinized during the operation. The ongoing inspections aim to assess the activities for compliance with the law, with individuals responsible possibly facing legal repercussions.

Rapper Ulukmanapon's Valentine's Day Concert Features Captivating Performance Singer Aym captivated the audience during the Valentine's Day concert of popular rapper Ulukmanapon on February 14th. As the event unfolded, various performers took the stage, entertaining the audience. Aym's exceptional performance stood out, leaving a lasting impression on the crowd within the well-organized concert program.

Bishkek Mayor Unveils Plans for Social Infrastructure Development The Mayor of Bishkek, Aybek Junushaliev, revealed upcoming projects for constructing and renovating social infrastructure facilities in 2026. The primary focus will be on enhancing preschool education to address the significant demand for kindergarten spaces in the city. In the educational sector, plans include constructing and upgrading 36 schools, with various funding sources involved. The projects aim to alleviate overcrowding in schools by accommodating an additional 46,000 students. Furthermore, the development agenda encompasses enhancements to sports and healthcare facilities across different districts in the city, aiming to provide improved access to educational and sports institutions, as well as recreational and cultural amenities for the residents of Bishkek.

"Parkunbek" Resurfaces: Tungucha Residents Monitor Parking In the Tungucha region, residents have observed a resurgence of motorists parking on sidewalks and in unauthorized locations. The creator of a viral video dubbed the offenders "Parkunbekters," sparking widespread sharing on social platforms. The community is left questioning the extent of pedestrians' tolerance and speculating on who will be the next subject of public scrutiny.

Dozens of Pedophile Priests Identified in Sosnowiec Diocese Dozens of individuals, including 23 priests, have been identified as accused or suspected of sexually abusing minors in the Sosnowiec Diocese of the Catholic Church in Poland. Other offenders include a youth group leader, an organist, and a catechist. The special commission revealed that out of the 29 identified individuals, seven have been punished for their crimes, four are deceased, legal proceedings are ongoing for three, and ten cases are currently under investigation. A total of 50 minors who have been victims of sexual abuse were identified, with the majority being children under 15 years old, and 66 percent of the victims are girls.

New Power Plant with a Capacity of 700 Megawatts to be Built in Kurchatov Construction is set to begin on a new 700 MW coal-fired power plant in Kurchatov, following the award of the tender to "GRES Kurchatov" LLP by the Ministry of Energy of Kazakhstan. The power station will utilize "clean coal" technologies with modern gas purification systems to meet global environmental standards, aiming to reduce environmental impact and improve energy generation efficiency. The project in Kurchatov will be carried out under the electricity capacity market mechanism without public funds, focusing on promoting sustainable development in the energy sector and enhancing regional energy supply reliability. The construction phase is expected to create around 4,000 jobs, with approximately 400 permanent positions anticipated at the power plant upon completion, contributing to local employment opportunities and economic growth in the region.

Uzbek authorities focus on boosting tourism from the USA Uzbekistan's authorities are working on increasing the flow of tourists from the USA by strategies such as opening new consulates and expanding the number of flights between the two countries. The ambassador of Uzbekistan to the USA, Furkat Sidikov, highlighted that the country has introduced a visa-free regime for all American citizens since the beginning of the year. This move has already led to a notable increase in American tourists visiting Uzbekistan, with the number rising from 25,000 to 40,000 after the visa regime simplification. Sidikov expressed confidence that with continued efforts, this number can see further significant growth.

Ministry of Defense Soldiers in Kyrgyzstan to Receive 900+ Apartments In the near future, the Ministry of Defense soldiers in Kyrgyzstan are set to receive over 900 apartments in buildings nearing completion. Prime Minister Adylbek Kasymaliev made this announcement during a ceremony in Bishkek where 81 vehicles were handed over to the Ministry of Defense. Kasymaliev emphasized that providing housing for soldiers is a top priority in the state's social policy. The apartments will be distributed through the State Mortgage Company. Additionally, various support measures have been implemented for military personnel, including increased daily rental compensation and monthly mortgage compensation based on the service location and years of service. Soldiers with over 20 years of service will receive compensation until their mortgage is fully paid off and have the option to purchase mortgaged property anywhere, enhancing their social protection and living conditions.