Official logo of presidency of Kazakhstan in SCO confirmed
The official logo of the Kazakhstan presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been confirmed. The official representative of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Askar Abdrahmanov, informed at a briefing in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agency reports citing the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
Astana. August 24. Kazakhstan Today - The official logo of the Kazakhstan presidency in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) has been confirmed. The official representative of the Ministry for Foreign Affairs, Askar Abdrahmanov, informed at a briefing in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the agency reports citing the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs.
A. Abdrahmanov reminded that, according to the Charter, Kazakhstan has been presiding in the Shanghai Cooperation Organization since June 12, 2010. Culmination of Kazakhstan's presidency (June 2010 - June, 2011) in this authoritative regional organization will be carrying out of the Summit of heads of the SCO member states in June, 2011 in Astana, devoted to the 10 anniversary of formation of the organization.
Before this significant date, Kazakhstan, within a year, should coordinate, prepare and organize about 90 various events, including in the territory of our country - 30, the official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs informed.
The Shanghai organization of cooperation was created in 2001, and includes Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Russia, Tajikistan and Uzbekistan. Iran, India, Mongolia and Pakistan have the status of observers.
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Drawing wisdom, strength from great victory in WWⅡ
Images | ru.china-embassy.gov.cn
China has just announced that it will commemorate the 80th anniversary of the victory in the Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression and the World Anti-Fascist War.
On the morning of Sept. 3, Chinese President Xi Jinping will address a grand gathering held that day to mark the anniversary.
The commemoration events serve as a solemn tribute to the Chinese people's arduous and heroic resistance against Japanese militarist aggression, reaffirming the Chinese people's steadfast commitment to the path of peaceful development and to upholding world peace, carrying far-reaching and profound significance.
Remembering the past, honoring sacrifice
Commemoration is an act of remembrance.
Eighty years ago, after a grueling 14 years of tenacious resistance, the Chinese people achieved a great victory in the war against Japanese aggression, which also signaled the complete triumph of the global war against fascism.
It is a victory of justice over evil, light over darkness, and progress over reaction, a victory for not only the Chinese people, but also for all people around the world. It stands as an enduring chapter in the history of the Chinese nation and the global pursuit of justice.
Under the theme "Remember History, Honor the Martyrs, Cherish Peace, and Create the Future," the commemoration aims to honor the Chinese people's resolute resistance against Japanese militarist aggression, pay tribute to the heroes who gave their lives, and the international solidarity that helped make victory possible.
At its core, the remembrance reaffirms China's commitment to safeguarding the outcomes of World War II and respecting history.
A shared legacy of resistance
Commemoration is also about carrying forward a shared legacy.
The victory of Chinese People's War of Resistance Against Japanese Aggression is the great triumph achieved through the collective efforts of the Chinese people, the anti-fascist alliance and all peoples around the world who opposed fascist aggression.
Countless peace-loving and justice-upholding nations, peoples, and international organizations offered invaluable support to China's efforts.
The Soviet Union provided China with large quantities of weapons and equipment, and the Flying Tigers from the United States created "The Hump" airlift to transport much-needed supplies to China.
Humanitarian heroes such as Canadian surgeon Norman Bethune, Indian doctor Dwarkanath S. Kotnis, German businessman John Rabe, and Bernhard Arp Sindberg from Denmark stood up against atrocities, saving countless lives. British journalist Michael Lindsay and international fighter Hans Shippe lent their voices and strength to China's cause.
On Sept. 3, a grand military parade will be held at Beijing's Tian'anmen Square to honor the spirit of the resistance against Japanese aggression and to reflect the character of a modern China that remains committed to peace.
China will invite foreigners who aided the country's resistance against Japanese aggression or representatives of their family members to observe the military parade, underscoring international solidarity and commemorating shared sacrifices in pursuit of peace and justice.
Learning from history, defending peace
Commemoration is also a solemn reminder of the costs of war and the value of peace.
All peace-loving peoples around the world must remember the history written in blood and sacrifice, resolutely safeguard the outcomes of World War II, uphold true multilateralism, and work together to build a community with a shared future for mankind and a brighter future for humanity.
Amid mounting global uncertainty and instability, China's solemn commemoration underscores its enduring commitment to safeguarding the victory of World War II, defending international fairness and justice, and advancing the vision of building a community with a shared future for mankind.
It also sends a clear message to the international community: in times of turmoil, it is essential to draw on the wisdom of history, to summon the strength and clarity needed to oppose all forms of hegemonism and power politics.
In remembering the past, China looks to the future. Standing with all peace-loving nations and peoples, China will remain a guardian of historical memory, a partner in national development and rejuvenation, and a champion of global fairness and justice. Together, they will strive for a better future for all humanity.
The author is commenter on international affairs, People's Daily, By Liu Lingling
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Kazakh actor named best at SCO Film Festival in China
Images | gov.kz
The closing ceremony of the International Film Festival of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization countries was held in China’s Chongqing city, Kazinform News Agency reports citing the Kazakh Ministry of Culture and Information.
This year the festival brough together renowned filmmakers from the member countries, each of which presented two films in the Golden Camellia main competition program.
Kazakh actor Bakhyt Khajibayev was crowned the Best Actor title for his role in the Operation Nabat, featuring the seizure of a bus with 30 hostages in February 1992. Thanks to the professionalism of Kazakhstani law enforcement agencies, the operation ended without casualties.
The film was shot at the Sh. Aimanov Kazakhfilm Studio with the support of the Ministry of Culture and Information of Kazakhstan and the National Cinema Support Center.
The second film presented by Kazakhstan was the drama Brothers directed by Darkhan Tulegenov, winner of more than 15 international awards, including the Spirit of Cinema Award at the Oldenburg International Film Festival. The film was screened during as part of a special program of the festival.
An international jury of nine well-known filmmakers from SCO countries judged the competition program.
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Dimash Qudaibergen to perform on stage with Plácido Domingo in Hanoi
Images | Dimashnews
On July 4, 2025, Dimash Qudaibergen arrived in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, Dimashnews reports.
At Noi Bai Airport, the Kazakhstani artist was warmly welcomed by fans from the local fan club. One of the Vietnamese Dears even greeted Dimash in Kazakh.
According to tradition, the welcome was filled with flowers, autographs, and heartfelt emotions: both for the artist and for the Dears meeting him for the first time on Vietnamese soil.
On July 6, Dimash will perform alongside Plácido Domingo and Kristine Opolais on the stage of the Ho Guom Theatre, accompanied by the Sun Symphony Orchestra.
The concert is being held in celebration of the second anniversary of the Ho Guom Theatre - one of the newest cultural landmarks of Vietnam’s capital.
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New direct air route links China's Xi'an with Kazakhstan's Shymkent
Images | unsplash.com
A new direct flight route connecting Xi'an, capital of northwest China's Shaanxi Province, to Shymkent, Kazakhstan, was launched Thursday, Xinhua reports.
Operated by Kazakhstan's Scat Airlines, the inaugural flight departed Xi'an at 2:47 a.m. Beijing time, arriving in Shymkent at 4:50 a.m. local time.
Xi'an airport reported significant growth in its Central Asian traffic this year, handling over 78,000 passenger trips and 700 flights in the first half alone, up 40 percent and 19 percent year on year, respectively.
Previously taking at least 12 hours via connections, the travel time between the historically linked and economically close Belt and Road cities has been significantly slashed to five hours.
This route enhances Xi'an airport's role as a regional aviation hub and expands the "air bridge" between China and Central Asia. The airport now operates 58 international passenger routes, including 18 weekly flights to Central Asian nations.
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AI chatbots mimic empathy - emotional AI needs boundaries
Images | Depositphotos
The rapid rise of chatbots that mimic conversations with famous actors or sci-fi characters is raising growing concerns about their impact on users’ mental health. Experts are particularly worried about how such systems might affect emotionally vulnerable people, Kazinform News Agency correspondent reports, citing Nature.
Modern large language models (LLMs) have made interactions with AI feel surprisingly natural. Apps like Replika and Character.ai are gaining popularity among young people, letting them chat with AI versions of their favorite fictional or real-life figures. However, as neuroscientist Ziv Ben-Zion notes in an article for Nature, people react even to the smallest emotional cues, despite knowing they’re interacting with a program.
This sense of "human-likeness" comes from the fact that AI is trained on vast amounts of emotionally rich language. Its responses sound convincingly natural not because it understands emotions, but because it mimics the patterns of human speech.
Ben-Zion’s research showed that ChatGPT scored higher on anxiety scales after being prompted with emotionally intense tasks, such as describing traumatic events like car accidents or ambushes.
However, calming prompts related to meditation or imagining sunsets did lower these anxiety scores, though not back to baseline. As researchers emphasize, these are not real feelings, but when a chatbot responds with apparent empathy or distress, users can easily perceive it as genuine.
Such imitation of empathy can have serious consequences. In Belgium in 2023, a man died by suicide after six weeks of conversations with a chatbot that allegedly encouraged suicidal thoughts, suggesting his death could help save the planet from climate change and that death would lead to a "life in paradise together." In 2024, a Spanish-Dutch artist married a holographic AI after five years of cohabitation. Back in 2018, a Japanese man wed a virtual character, only to lose contact with her when the software became obsolete.
To prevent tragedies like these, Ziv Ben-Zion proposes four key safeguards for emotionally responsive AI:
Clear identification. Chatbots should continuously remind users that they are programs, not humans, and cannot replace real human support.
Monitoring psychological state. If a user shows signs of severe anxiety, hopelessness, or aggression, the system should pause and suggest professional help.
Strict conversational boundaries. AI should not simulate romantic intimacy or engage in conversations about death, suicide, or metaphysical topics.
Regular audits and reviews. Developers should involve psychologists, ethicists, and human-AI interaction specialists to assess chatbot safety.
Ben-Zion notes that the technical groundwork for these safeguards already exists; what remains is to enforce them through legislation. He emphasizes that AI’s emotional influence is not a bug, but a built-in feature that requires clear limits.
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Drone-based Sergek system introduced in Astana
Images | primeminister.kz
Drones will help police track down vehicles listed in wanted bulletins, Kazinform News Agency reports.
Integrating the system with unmanned aerial vehicles will reportedly allow for real-time detection of offenders, debtors, and individuals avoiding alimony payments. The data will be instantly transmitted to police officers’ tablets, significantly enhancing operational efficiency.
Drones are becoming an essential part of our country’s digital infrastructure. They play a vital role in ensuring the safety of citizens and society as a whole. Currently, drones are used to monitor natural events and maintain public order. Kazakhtelecom is actively working on projects to integrate drones into urban video surveillance and forest monitoring systems, allowing for early fire detection through digital technology. The potential applications for drones across different sectors will continue to expand," said Kazakhtelecom Chairman Bagdat Mussin.
The project could be expanded and rolled out to other regions as well, pending positive results.
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Kyrgyzstan to launch Almaty-Issyk Kul flights
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Kyrgyz Asman Airlines will operate a flight to connect Almaty and Issyk Kul starting from June 27, Kazinform News Agency cites the Kazakh Transport Ministry.
It will perform flights twice a week on Mondays and Fridays.
In addition, Kazakh Fly Arystan will also launch the direct flight en route Almaty - Issyk Kul on Thursdays and Sundays.
Four regular Almaty - Issyk Kul passenger flights a week will be operated this summer season, it said in a statement.
The new flights will contribute to further development of tourism, trade and economic and business cooperation between the two nations.
As earlier reported, China’s China Southern Airlines launched a new international route from Guangzhou to Almaty on June 25.
A month ago, Uzbekistan’s My Freighter (Сentrum Air) launched flights en route Tashkent-Almaty on Mondays and Thursdays.
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