Temperatures are expected to continue rising across China, with some regions experiencing record-breaking warmth.
According to the National Meteorological Center, most parts of the country will see mainly sunny or cloudy weather early next week.
Since the beginning of this week, the country has been dominated by clear skies and warming temperatures. This trend is expected to continue over the next four days.
The warmth will peak in areas south of the Yellow River next week, with temperatures widely surpassing 30 degrees Celsius. In parts of south China and east China, temperatures may even reach 35 degrees Celsius. This prolonged and significant warming could lead to rare and record-breaking warmth in the Huanghuai-Jianghuai-Northern Jiangnan Region (areas along and between the Yellow River, Huai River, and the Yangtze River in eastern China).
Over this weekend, in Dingtao District of Heze City, east China's Shandong Province, parks are filled with lush green grass and blooming flowers, as people enjoy the spring atmosphere.
In Changqing District of Jinan City in Shandong, the return of warm weather has brought 12,000 mu (about 800 hectares) of apricot into full bloom, boosting the local flower-viewing economy.
Tourists are seen wandering through apricot gardens, taking photos in traditional Chinese costumes or having picnics under the flowers.
"Today, the weather is extremely good. I can feel a strong atmosphere of the spring. And the photos turn out to be very beautiful," said Wang Xinyi, a tourist.
A strong cold front is expected to affect the country later next week, bringing significant temperature drops and widespread sandy conditions. And the north will experience strong winds and dry conditions.
Temperatures rise across China, breaking records in some areas
Russia and the United States have agreed to ensure the implementation of the Black Sea Initiative, provided that sanctions were eased on Russia's agricultural and food trade, the Kremlin said Tuesday.
The Kremlin said the agreement includes ensuring the safety of navigation in the Black Sea, the non-use of force, and preventing commercial ships from being used for military purposes, with inspections in place to enforce this.
It also added that the United States will help in restoring Russia's access to global markets for agricultural and fertilizer exports, lowering shipping insurance costs, and improving access to ports and international payment systems.
The agreement will enter into force after a series of sanctions and restrictions related to its agricultural and food trade were lifted, the Kremlin noted.
The move would include lifting Western sanctions on the Russian Agricultural Bank, which services agricultural businesses, and reconnecting the bank to the SWIFT international messaging system.
Russia has also listed in the conditions the removal of restrictions on its food and fertilizer producers and exporters, on the servicing of related Russian-flagged vessels in ports, and on the related agricultural machinery supplies to Russia.
The Kremlin statement came after Russian and U.S. representatives wrapped up their Monday's talks in Riyadh, capital of Saudi Arabia, where both sides sought arrangements for the safety of navigation in the Black Sea.
Russia and Ukraine signed separately with Türkiye and the United Nations the Black Sea Grain Initiative in Istanbul in July 2022, which secured the export of Ukrainian grain and other agricultural products from Black Sea ports.
As a parallel agreement, Russia and the UN signed a memorandum of understanding on the facilitation of Russian food and fertilizer exports.
On July 17, 2023, Russia suspended its participation in the Black Sea deal, citing unfulfilled commitments to the Russian part.
Kremlin says Russia, U.S. agree to ensure implementing Black Sea initiative
