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The U.S. Department of Defense has expanded its list of companies it considers connected to China’s military, adding Alibaba, BYD, Baidu and robotics firm Unitree, whose robots have gained international attention in recent years, The Associated Press reported.

Established under a congressional mandate, the list identifies companies that the Pentagon believes have ties to China’s military or contribute to the country’s defense industrial capabilities. The updated version of the register, released on Monday, now includes 188 entities, up from about 130 a year ago.

The Pentagon has previously stated that China’s military seeks access to advanced technologies developed...

Earlier, foreign nationals needed to apply for an entry permit one-and-a-half to two months in advance, whereas the processing now takes up to 10 days, the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said.

Furthermore, Russia has transferred Gagarin’s Start, the assembly and fueling complex and the dynamic testing stand, providing new opportunities for event tourism development at the Cosmodrome.

«Investment proposals for potential investors interested in facility modernization and the development of modern tourism infrastructure have been prepared,» the ministry’s press service said in a statement.

Under the...

The much-discussed horror movie «Backrooms,» based on a single viral image that became the foundation of an entire internet universe, continues to captivate audiences worldwide. Kursiv LifeStyle examines how the debut feature from a 20-year-old director quickly broke A24 records after its release.

According to Variety, the film has earned more than $200 million worldwide, with total box office takings estimated at $212 million. The film has already surpassed the studio’s previous record holder, «Marty Supreme.» «Backrooms» reached these milestones in just 10 days, compared with nearly half a year for

Rescue teams continued searching damaged buildings in the southern Philippines on Tuesday after a powerful 7.8-magnitude earthquake left at least 37 people dead, injured hundreds and displaced more than 20,000 residents, Euronews reported.

The earthquake struck off the coast of Mindanao, the country’s second-largest island, on Monday. Authorities said nearly 500 people were injured, while thousands sought shelter amid concerns over a possible tsunami.

The worst-hit areas included General Santos City and Sarangani Province, where building collapses, falling debris and a landslide caused most of the fatalities. Officials also reported damage to around 2,000 homes and more than...

The number of foreign patients seeking treatment in Kazakhstan reached 80,000 in 2025. In response to growing demand, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports jointly developed a 2026-2028 medical tourism development plan.

«Currently, ten Kazakhstani healthcare organizations hold international JCI accreditation, which is considered one of the most authoritative standards in the global healthcare system,» the Ministry of Tourism and Sports said in a statement.

The ministry noted that to advance this area, the Ministry of Healthcare and the Ministry of Tourism and Sports are jointly...

Karim Khan, the chief prosecutor of the International Criminal Court (ICC), has been suspended following a disciplinary review linked to allegations of sexual misconduct, as reported by The Guardian.

The decision was announced after the court’s executive committee voted to refer the matter to a special session of the ICC’s member states, which will determine the next steps regarding his position.

According to the report, the committee concluded by a qualified majority that Khan had engaged in serious misconduct in relation to allegations made by a former staff member. The claims, first raised in 2024, involve accusations of coercive...

Bibisara Assaubayeva of Kazakhstan has moved into first place in the overall standings of the FIDE Women’s Circuit 2026-2027.

She climbed to the top of the rankings after winning the prestigious Norway Chess Women 2026 tournament.

In the latest circuit standings, Assaubayeva has overtaken China’s Zhu Jiner, who now sits in second place. India’s Vaishali Rameshbabu is third.

The FIDE Women’s Circuit is part of the International Chess Federation’s (FIDE) qualification system and serves as one of the primary pathways to the Candidates Tournament.

Based on the circuit’s results, the top women players earn the right...

Birth control failure can happen. In such situations, time is critical: emergency contraception can significantly reduce the risk of pregnancy.

To better understand how emergency contraception works and the most common mistakes people make, we spoke with Vera Yazar, an obstetrician-gynecologist at the Horoshiy Doctor (“Good Doctor”) clinic.

How emergency contraception works

Emergency contraception is used to prevent pregnancy after unprotected sex. The most commonly used options are levonorgestrel-based medications, including Escapelle and Postinor.

Levonorgestrel emergency contraception is effective when taken within 72 hours of unprotected intercourse. The sooner it is taken, the more effective...

Kazakh border guards are currently unable to detect foreign drones entering the country, according to Darkhan Akhmediyev, Kazakhstan’s deputy defense minister, who recently commented on the issue.

Read also: Sky-high confusion: Residents mistake new air taxis for spy drones.

Akhmediyev noted that the challenge lies at the intersection of digitalization and the procurement of the necessary weapons systems. Nevertheless, he said the military already has a foundation in place to improve its capabilities.

“This is less about digital solutions than about the weapons themselves. But as for...

Despite losing both arms, Aigerym Bibatyrova is known for her optimism and resilience. Now a mother of five, she shared her story in a recent episode of the Baisemiz LIVE podcast.

Aigerym said she has never regretted losing her arms, even after living with the disability for 25 years. She credits her parents for helping her grow up without feeling different from others or developing insecurities about her condition.

“The support of my parents helped me accept myself,” she said. “They, along with my siblings and friends, never treated me as someone...

KIMEP University in Kazakhstan has launched an internal investigation into economics professor Nadeem Naqvi. In response to an inquiry from Kursiv.media, university representatives commented on the controversy that emerged on social media after students shared information about the professor’s past in the U.S.

Read also: ‘Virgin list’ scandal returns to Central Asia’s largest university.

University administrators emphasized that no disciplinary action will be taken against students or staff members who raised concerns about the issue.

KIMEP said it is currently reviewing the information it has received and...

Plenitude Kazakhstan, a subsidiary of Italy’s Eni, has secured the right to build a 100-megawatt (MW) wind farm in the Aktobe region. The project is expected to be completed by 2028, the regional administration said.

Askhat Shakharov, governor of the Aktobe region, held talks with Plenitude Kazakhstan CEO Federico Pugliese. They discussed renewable energy projects and strengthening investment cooperation.

In May 2026, Plenitude Kazakhstan won an auction to build a 100-MW wind farm, which is expected to produce 400 gigawatt-hours annually upon commissioning. The project implementation is planned for 2026-2028.

At the meeting, the governor noted that the company has...

Kazakhstani Counter-Strike 2 professional player Danil «molodoy» Golubenko surprised a streamer from Atyrau, western Kazakhstan, known as Adler, by donating him approximately $411 during a livestream.

The streamer didn’t expect the generous donation, and his reaction, captured live, quickly spread across social media, sparking discussion about the pro’s gesture.

“Props to both!”

“The guy plays with his feet more confidently than I do with my hands — well done,”

“I’m shocked, great game!”

“I can’t play at this level with my hands, and he does it with his feet — hats off,”

Renowned Kazakh singer Dimash Qudaibergen has announced the release of a documentary about his creative career. According to the artist, he has often been described as a state-backed project or accused of having influential patrons.

«For the first time in my career, I allowed cameras to capture what had always remained between me, my family and my team: the preparation, the backstage moments, the pressure, the doubts, the responsibility and the moments that, at my request, had always stayed beyond the reach of any lens,» the singer wrote on Instagram.

In...

Despite her failure in Paris, Kazakhstan’s top-ranked tennis player Elena Rybakina improved her position in the WTA doubles rankings by seven places. She also retained her second-place standing in the singles rankings ahead of the grass-court Queen’s Club Championships in London.

Simultaneous losses by top-10 players, with the exception of Mirra Andreeva, resulted in no changes to the top three: Aryna Sabalenka, Rybakina and Iga Świątek retained their positions. The Russian Roland Garros champion climbed two places to sixth.

The most notable decline in the top 10 was Coco Gauff, who fell three places to seventh...

As world leaders marked World Environment Day, environmental experts drew attention to the worsening condition of the Caspian Sea, where water levels continue to decline.

Read also: World’s largest lake is drying up: Caspian Sea water levels drop to record low.

According to United Nations experts, satellite imagery shows vast stretches of newly exposed seabed, while some ports and fishing communities have been left increasingly distant from the shoreline.

Scientists warn that the Caspian Sea’s water level could continue falling for decades. They cite rising temperatures and increased evaporation linked to...

Dental implants have given millions of people the ability to regain full chewing function and avoid removable dentures. However, an estimated 20% of patients eventually develop peri-implantitis, a serious inflammatory condition that affects the jawbone. In many cases, antibiotics are not fully effective.

Researchers from Rutgers University School of Dental Medicine say they have identified a key reason standard antibacterial drugs often fail to treat implant-related inflammation. The findings were published in the journal PNAS Nexus.

Titanium particles may drive bone damage

In the study, scientists found that bone destruction may be driven not only by bacterial...

Eleonora Berg, an Almaty resident known on social media as Lelya Berg, has publicly accused her father of sexually abusing her during childhood and says she is seeking to have the case reexamined by law enforcement authorities.

According to Berg, the abuse took place between the ages of 6 and 9.

The allegations have drawn renewed public attention after Berg published a video of a conversation with her father. In the recording, she attempts to explain the lasting impact the alleged abuse has had on her life and mental health. Her father denies the accusations and says he does not...

Cuban authorities have reportedly begun distributing weapons to some civilians amid concerns about a potential confrontation with the U.S., according to the Venezuelan newspaper Versión Final.

Read also: Cuba in the dark: Trump’s takeover threats spark chaos.

The reported measures come amid heightened tensions in the Caribbean and growing speculation about possible future U.S. actions toward Cuba.

Government reportedly increasing preparedness

According to the report, Cuban authorities have instructed government agencies and local communities to strengthen preparedness measures and review emergency response plans.

Residents cited by local media said concerns...

The end of spring brought one of the season’s most visually striking lifestyle events in Kazakhstan. On May 30, the private fashion show “Fashion. Peonies. Art.” took place on the picturesque grounds of Daisy Flower Farm, offering guests a blend of fashion, nature and art against the backdrop of blooming peony fields.

Now in its second season, the project seeks to unite fashion and the natural environment while bringing together Almaty’s creative community.

Runway among the flowers

The event’s main attraction was its setting. Located against the dramatic backdrop of the Trans-Ili Alatau...

Kazakhstan’s women’s volleyball team defeated Indonesia in straight sets in its second match of the AVC Women’s Nations Cup in the Philippines.

The Kazakh team secured a 25-19, 25-19, 25-19 victory, improving its position in Group B.

Strong response after opening match

Indonesia entered the match with momentum after upsetting Iran 3-1 in its tournament opener. However, Kazakhstan proved stronger in the decisive moments of each set.

Unlike its opening-match victory over Hong Kong, where it dropped one set, the team coached by Askar Shalkibekov completed a clean sweep against Indonesia.

Group standings tighten

Results in...

Zhassulan Bazarbay, a Kazakh singer, became emotional during an interview on Khabar TV after hearing an AI-generated version of his daughter’s voice. The moment left the artist visibly moved, forcing him to pause the broadcast as he struggled to hold back tears.

Bazarbay’s daughter was diagnosed with autism when she was 2 years old. Now in her early teens, she has begun to speak gradually after years of therapy and consultations with specialists in Kazakhstan and abroad.

During the interview, journalists used artificial intelligence to recreate the girl’s voice and played a message expressing gratitude to her father.

The high-profile trial of Sultan Sarsemaliyev, who is accused of the brutal murder of four members of the Karabalin family, his in-laws, continued in the Atyrau criminal court on Thursday. With witness testimony now complete, the court moved on to reviewing video evidence in the case.

Read also: The haunting case of a vanished family in western Kazakhstan.

Footage shown in court included recordings from the exhumation of the victims’ remains, a crime scene inspection, investigative actions conducted in the village of Zhangeldin, and video of Sarsemaliyev’s initial interrogations.

The emotional...

Warning signs for drivers entering the Low Emission Zone (LEZ) have begun to appear in Almaty. Kursiv Lifestyle explains what area is affected and how the initiative is expected to improve air quality in the city.

The pilot zone is bounded by Bogenbay Batyr Street, Zheltoksan Street, Abay Avenue and Dostyk Avenue. A total of 134 road signs and information boards will be installed at entry and exit points.

A LEZ is a low-emission zone where access for higher-emitting vehicles may be restricted in the future.

However, the project is currently in...