AI Diplomacy: The US plans to tell about 35 countries to choose sides in the AI race with China, warning that joining Beijing’s AI framework could mean exclusion from a US-led coalition; Kazakhstan is named among the countries caught in the middle through Pax Silica. Central Asia Power Shock: A large blackout hit Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and parts of Uzbekistan, with Kazakhstan’s energy ministry blaming a sudden shift in electricity flow from the Central Asian grid and restoration work underway. Wildberries Fallout: Drone attacks in Russia’s Moscow region sparked fires at Wildberries warehouses, while Kazakhstan’s trade minister says the firm plans logistics expansion there even as Wildberries insists it has no plan to move its main hubs out of Russia. Cash Ruble Fees: Banks in Kyrgyzstan, Kazakhstan and Belarus sharply raised fees for depositing cash Russian rubles, in some cases reaching 10–20%, as cash flows tighten across the region. Culture & History: New archaeological finds across Kazakhstan—from medieval settlements to preserved dwellings—are shedding fresh light on steppe life, while scholars also revisit Golden Horde legacy through Central Asian perspectives. Sports (Astana): The “Future Games 2026” in Astana drew 800+ athletes and major esports and sports disciplines, with Kazakhstan among the participating teams.