Author: Shukurbek Isanov

Brussel, Frankfurt (16/11 – 23) A levying of embargoes and export bans, the imposition of sanctions, erection of fearsome “license” (= restriction) protocol: there’s nothing new about this back-and-forth in world trade, in the eternal jousting for advantage among markets and nations. The clever Chinese imagined they had the world tea market all locked up until an earnest Scottish botanist carrying the telling name of “Robert Fortune” snuck into the Middle Kingdom to observe their agriculture, steal tea plants, and pick up tricks of tea processing. The Chinese global tea monopoly was busted wide open. The fortunate Mr. Fortune was…

Chief Cabinet Secretary of Japan Hirokazu Matsuno announced at a press conference on November 7 that President of Kyrgyzstan Sadyr Japarov will visit Japan on November 17-20, Nikkei reported. During his visit, Japarov will meet with Prime Minister Fumio Kishida and plans to meet with the Emperor and Empress. Matsuno noted that in 2022, Kyrgyzstan and Japan celebrated the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations. “I hope that the visit of the President of Kyrgyzstan to Japan will further deepen the relations of friendship and cooperation between the two countries,” he said. In addition to Tokyo, President Japarov…

Speaker of the Parliament of Kyrgyzstan Nurlanbek Shakiev met with the authors of the state flag, Zhusup Mataev and Bekbosun Zhaichybekov, as well as state and public figure Medetkan Sherimkulov and listened to their proposals for changing the main state symbol. The press service of the Parliament reported. According to it, Nurlanbek Shakiev noted that there are different points of view regarding the state flag. At the same time, he added that, together with deputy Ulan Primov, taking into account these diverse opinions, they are initiating the development of a bill to change some elements of the flag. «The national flag is one of our key symbols. This flag is also carried by our athletes, outstanding compatriots, each of whom…

President of Kyrgyzstan has instructed to allocate 1 billion soms ($11. 2 million) from the nation’s price range to the “Kyrgyzgeology” state enterprise in 2024 for analysis and geological exploration, Trend reviews. This was introduced by Akylbek Japarov, the Chairman of the Cabinet of Ministers of Kyrgyzstan, throughout an occasion commemorating the 85 anniversary of the Kyrgyz Geological Service. Additionally, the Mining and Metallurgical Institute, named after Academician U. Asanaliev, was assigned with the duty of enhancing workforce preparation within the mining sector. In his handle, Japarov emphasised the essential function of geology within the financial and environmental improvement of…

We set off from the hot and busy city of Bishkek towards the south shore of the Issyk Kul Lake in central Kyrgyzstan – the second-largest mountain lake on the planet. We were here to trek the Tian Shan mountains, one of the most spectacular mountain ranges in Central Asia, camping along the way. The trip would take us from the 3,800m Jukku Pass, past glimmering mountain lakes, and to meet the legendary eagle hunters of the region. Our journey began with a hike through Konorchek Canyon, where we were met with stunning red rocky hills and valleys. This was a chance…

The direct flights are soon expected to connect Kyrgyzstan with resort cities in Egypt and Vietnam, Timur Aralbayev, the Director of Commerce at Kyrgyzstan’s Manas International Airport Company, said, Trend reports. He mentioned that plans are already in place to launch a flight from Bishkek to the coastal resort city in southern Vietnam, Nha Trang, by the end of October. Aralbayev also added that there are plans to open a flight between Bishkek and the resort city of Sharm El Sheikh in Egypt, located on the shores of the Red Sea. This will be a seasonal charter flight operating during the winter.…

In a seemingly ordinary, albeit high-end Kyrgyz wedding ceremony, a young couple named Alanur and Bakai took center stage, surrounded by music, lights, and traditional customs. However, the significance of this event lies in their family backgrounds. Alanur’s father is Khabibula Abdukadyr, a secretive tycoon accused of colluding with corrupt Kyrgyz customs officials to establish a trade monopoly over Chinese goods flowing into Central Asia. Bakai’s father is Raimbek Matraimov, a shadowy political operator who once held a top position in Kyrgyzstan’s customs service and was exposed, pleaded guilty to corruption, and faced US sanctions. This newly obtained footage not…

Vienna, Brussels (26/9 – 36) David McCallum – the British actor who played as Dr. Donald “Ducky” Mallard, a pathologist on hit CBS TV program NCIS, has died aged 90 on Monday (25/09/2023). McCallum died on Monday of natural causes, surrounded by his family, at New York Presbyterian Hospital, CBS said in a statement. NCIS executive producers Steven D. Binder and David North shared their memories of working with McCallum. “For over twenty years, David McCallum endeared himself to audiences around the world playing the wise, quirky, and sometimes enigmatic, Dr. Donald ‘Ducky’ Mallard,” they shared in a statement. “But…

Berlin (21/08 – 50) A small community of bird enthusiasts in Astana have been setting ecological trends, advocating for ethical observation practices and environmental responsibility, and fostering camaraderie through shared sightings and insights. Ruslan Urazaliev, researcher and photographer, Kulyanda Tulebaeva, birdwatcher and photographer, and Vera Voronova, the executive director of the Association for Biodiversity Conservation of Kazakhstan (ASBK), shared their experiences supporting the city’s avian residents. Astana’s rough climate does not deter avian species, making it an unexpected winter haven for colorful birds like bullfinches, goldfinches, and snow buntings. As winter wanes, migratory birds stop in urban parks to recharge…

US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken urged Congress to accept a request from the Joe Biden administration for additional funding for Ukraine. According to European Pravda, Blinken said this during a briefing. He recalled that last week Biden asked Congress for $24.1 billion to “continue to support Ukraine’s security, economic and humanitarian needs, and help other countries that are suffering from the consequences of the Russian war.” “I call on Congress to pass this additional funding bill immediately,” the Secretary of State said. The State Department is working with Ukrainian partners on long-term security commitments to help Ukraine deter and…