Asia's Largest Fireworks Festival DIFF 2026 Concludes in Da Nang
The Da Nang International Fireworks Festival (DIFF) 2026 has concluded in the Vietnamese city of Da Nang after running from May 30 to July 11, bringing together 10 teams from Asia, Europe and Australia.
Portugal's Macedos Pirotecnia won the competition, while China's Jiangxi Yangfeng Art Display finished in second place.
The grand finale, held under the theme "Connecting Horizons," featured more than 40 minutes of synchronized fireworks and music. Spectators watched a spectacular display of thousands of fireworks, including cascading effects, comets, spherical shells, candles and aerial bursts, all choreographed to music.
Each competing team delivered an approximately 20-minute pyrotechnic performance. Organizers described DIFF 2026, which featured six competition nights over more than six weeks, as the most successful and highest-quality edition since the festival was launched.
Below is a photo report from the grand finale of the Da Nang International Fireworks Festival DIFF 2026.
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Kazakhstan Conducts First Passenger Flight of Uncrewed Air Taxi
Kazakhstan has successfully conducted its first passenger flight of an autonomous aircraft with a person on board, the country's Ministry of Transport said.
The EH216-S, a production electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) aircraft, carried out a demonstration flight over a designated area in Astana during the Future Games 2026 international tournament.
The demonstration showcased the capabilities of autonomous passenger aviation. The aircraft seats two people, has a top speed of up to 130 km/h (81 mph) and can travel up to 35 kilometers (22 miles) on a single flight.
As part of the project's initial phase, Kazakhstan plans to introduce demonstration and sightseeing routes lasting five to 30 minutes over natural, cultural and historical landmarks. In the future, such aircraft could become part of the country's transportation network.
The project also envisions using autonomous aircraft for emergency medical response, medicine delivery, firefighting, logistics and other missions requiring rapid deployment.
Kazakhstan also plans to localize the production of passenger eVTOL aircraft. Officials expect the initiative to support the development of high-tech manufacturing, create new jobs and strengthen industrial cooperation.
On July 24, Astana hosted a demonstration flight of the air taxi without a passenger on board.
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Kazakhstan President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev Opens the Games of the Future 2026 in Astana
The international Games of the Future 2026 officially opened today in Kazakhstan's capital, Astana, bringing together traditional sports and competitive esports in a unique phygital format.
More than 800 athletes from 34 countries are taking part in the tournament.
Opening the event, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev said the Games symbolize the harmony of sport and intellect, unite the physical and digital worlds, and serve as a bridge of friendship between nations.
The Games of the Future is an international phygital sports tournament in which competitors first face off in virtual contests before continuing their competition in corresponding physical disciplines.
The tournament will run in Astana until 9 August. During the event, athletes will compete for medals across a range of phygital disciplines that combine virtual and real-world competition.
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Bukhtarma: Where the Mountains Meet the Water
The Bukhtarma Reservoir combines the mountain landscapes of the Altai, pine forests and vast expanses of open water. In summer, visitors come here for fishing, boating, beach holidays and the opportunity to escape the bustle of city life for a few days.
Created in 1960 following the construction of the Bukhtarma Hydroelectric Power Plant on the Irtysh River, the reservoir is now one of the largest artificial bodies of water not only in Kazakhstan but also in the world. It covers an area of approximately 5,490 square kilometres, stretches for more than 425 kilometres, and reaches a maximum width of 35 kilometres. Owing to its immense scale, Bukhtarma is often referred to as Kazakhstan's inland sea.
Dozens of holiday resorts, sandy and pebble beaches, picturesque bays and coniferous forests line its shores. At the height of the summer season, thousands of tourists from Kazakhstan and around the world visit the reservoir. Some come for water sports and boating, while others are drawn by fishing, hiking or simply the tranquillity offered by the mountain scenery of eastern Kazakhstan.
Bukhtarma is a place where the natural beauty of the Altai Mountains meets an endless expanse of water, and where every sunset transforms the reservoir into one of the country's most picturesque destinations.
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Bà Nà Hills: A Mountain Resort Above the Clouds
Located in the mountains near Da Nang, the Bà Nà Hills resort complex is one of Vietnam's most popular tourist attractions. Visitors reach the mountaintop via one of the world's longest cable car systems, enjoying panoramic views of the surrounding jungle and coastline along the way.
The complex's most iconic landmark is the famous Golden Bridge, which appears to be supported by two giant stone hands. The mountaintop is also home to a French-style village, landscaped gardens, temples, amusement attractions, and scenic observation decks. Thanks to its cool mountain climate, Bà Nà Hills is often described as a place where visitors can experience several seasons in a single day.
This photo report showcases some of the resort's most striking locations, which attract millions of visitors from around the world each year.
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Severe Rainstorms Trigger Widespread Flooding in Southern China
Continuous heavy rainfall and surging river flows have caused severe flooding in southwest China's Guizhou Province, forcing the evacuation of more than 80,000 people. Authorities have raised the flood emergency response to Level I, the highest level, in the counties of Rongjiang and Congjiang.
A total of 48,900 people were evacuated from Rongjiang County and 32,000 from Congjiang County. In Rongjiang, home to the renowned "Cun Chao" rural football league, torrential rain began at 8:00 p.m. on Monday. By 2:00 p.m. on Tuesday, water levels at a hydrological station on the Duliu River had risen 6.68 metres above the warning level, while the football pitch hosting "Cun Chao" matches was submerged under approximately three metres of water.
Firefighters, rescue workers and volunteers are using boats and specialized equipment to evacuate residents. By 4:00 p.m. on Tuesday, emergency supplies had been delivered to the affected areas, including 30,000 bottles of drinking water and more than 10,000 packs of instant noodles.
Heavy rainfall also triggered landslides in Guizhou, causing part of a bridge on an expressway in Sandu County to collapse. No casualties have been reported.
Meanwhile, in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, a serious breach occurred at the Liulan Reservoir in Hengzhou, near the city of Nanning, on Monday morning. Local authorities raised the flood emergency response from Level III to Level I starting at 11:30 a.m., mobilizing emergency services, firefighters and water management teams to carry out rescue operations and evacuate residents.
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Devastating Earthquake Hits Venezuela
On the evening of 24 June, Venezuela was struck by two powerful earthquakes measuring 7.2 and 7.5, just 39 seconds apart. According to the U.S. Geological Survey (USGS), the epicentre of the main quake was located 16 kilometres southwest of Morón in Carabobo state at a depth of 10 kilometres.
The heaviest damage was reported in Caracas, where residential buildings were damaged or partially collapsed. Part of the roof of Simón Bolívar International Airport collapsed, forcing the cancellation of all flights. A state of emergency has been declared, and residents have been urged to stay away from damaged buildings due to the risk of aftershocks.
According to the latest reports, at least 235 people have been killed, more than 4,300 injured, and around 160 remain missing.
The earthquake also struck one of Venezuela's largest industrial and oil-refining regions. U.S. experts estimate that the economic losses could reach 20% of the country's GDP.
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A Guide for Kazakhstanis Traveling to South Korea
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What Kazakhstanis Need to Know When Traveling to Russia
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