Ceremonial reception for Russian President Vladimir Putin was held in Astana
An official welcoming ceremony for President Vladimir Putin of Russia, who arrived in Kazakhstan on a state visit, took place at the Palace of Independence.
The Russian leader was personally greeted by Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev.
In honor of the distinguished guest, a formation of fighter jets from the Air Defense Forces of the Republic of Kazakhstan carried out a demonstration flyover above the Palace of Independence, leaving behind white, blue and red smoke trails that colored the sky in the hues of the Russian flag.
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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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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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Kazakhstan’s Economy Grew by Nearly 3.7%
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The Spirit of Tengri Festival Held in Almaty
The international contemporary ethnic music festival The Spirit of Tengri took place in Abai Square in Almaty on June 7. One of Central Asia’s largest cultural events once again brought together musicians, artisans, artists and tens of thousands of visitors, serving as a platform for cultural dialogue and creative exchange, the Almaty city administration reported.
According to organisers, around 50,000 people attended the festival throughout the day. Visitors enjoyed live performances, the Ethno Market crafts fair, recreation areas, a food court, as well as interactive and art spaces.
Particular attention this year was given to supporting local performers. For the first time, winners of the Open Call competition - JU BAND, DUANA and NY-ZA - performed on the festival’s main stage.
The young musicians presented their own interpretation of contemporary ethnic music, blending traditional Kazakh motifs with jazz, rock and world music.
In 2026, the festival received international recognition after winning first place at the bema! Best Experience Marketing Awards in the International Festival category.
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