live U.S.-Iran standoff continues as Hormuz shipping and diplomacy remain uncertain
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to res...
Kyrgyzstan plans to expand its nationwide video surveillance system, with up to 20,000 cameras set to be installed, President Sadyr Zhaparov has announced.
The initiative was revealed during a meeting with residents of Nookat district in the Osh region, amid growing public concern over road safety, particularly near schools.
Residents highlighted a rise in traffic accidents, including incidents involving children. One resident noted that three students had recently been hit near a school, despite improvements in road infrastructure.
President Zhaparov said the expansion of the video monitoring system would be implemented in stages, with the aim of improving public safety nationwide.
“We will gradually achieve this goal,” he said, emphasising that the system forms part of broader efforts to create a safer environment.
According to authorities, between 5,000 and 6,000 cameras have already been installed across the country. First Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Adylbek Biybosunov confirmed that around 3,000 of these are currently operational.
An additional 3,000 cameras are expected to be installed within the next six weeks using presidential funding. The government has prioritised placing surveillance equipment near schools and other high-risk areas to reduce accidents and improve monitoring of traffic behaviour.
Kyrgyzstan has also taken steps to strengthen the institutional framework of its “Safe City” initiative, aimed at improving coordination and efficiency.
In September 2024, President Zhaparov signed a decree transferring full oversight of the system to the Ministry of Internal Affairs, designating it as the lead agency responsible for implementation and operation.
Under the reform, the automated “Safe City” system was transferred from the Ministry of Digital Development, while the state enterprise Infocom was retained as the technical operator. The changes were designed to streamline management, improve integration with law enforcement, and ensure more effective use of surveillance data.
Authorities say the updated framework will support the long-term development of the system, enhance road safety, and strengthen the overall capacity of public security institutions.
The collective-defence agreement between Türkiye, Saudi Arabia and Pakistan signals that regional powers no longer want to rely solely on external security guarantees. Whether it becomes a stabilising deterrent or another axis of rivalry remains unresolved.
Shipping through the Strait of Hormuz has slowed, according to the latest data, as uncertainty over the waterway’s reopening kept most shipowners away. Six commodity vessels crossed the strait on Tuesday, down from nine the day before and below the 10-day daily average of 11.
Shipping traffic through the Strait of Hormuz remains limited on Thursday, with no increase in vessel crossings as U.S.-Iran talks to resolve the conflict remained stalled. Nine commodity vessels transited the key waterway on Wednesday, unchanged from the previous day, according to Kpler data.
Iran has said the Strait of Hormuz will remain closed until the U.S. fulfils the terms of an interim deal, including lifting the maritime blockade and sanctions and releasing Iran’s frozen assets.
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