South Sudan has ordered the closure of schools and introduced a two-week shift-based working system for civil servants in the face of a worsening heatwave.
Temperatures have been reaching record-breaking levels in the East African country, with highs for the next seven days expected to reach 45 degrees Celsius.
Learning institutions will be closed effective Friday for two weeks, while government institutions will operate on a half-day basis, Minister of Environment and Forestry Josephine Napwon Cosmas announced Thursday in Juba, the country's capital.
The Ministry of Education will close schools for a period of two weeks or more and reopen when cool temperatures return, Napwon said.
She added that the ministry will consider opening schools in the second week of March, while government institutions are expected to operate on a half-day basis for the next two weeks.
With some students developing complications in the last few days due to the extreme heat, the country's health ministry has put a system in place to detect and respond to medical conditions related to the heatwave.
Authorities have advised parents to keep all children indoors as temperatures are expected to continue to rise.
The country faced a similar situation in March 2024, forcing the closure of schools for two weeks.
South Sudan closes schools, cuts working hours amid heatwave
China is gaining a growing reputation as one of the top global tourism destination as more international travelers marvel at its modern infrastructure and enjoy its safe and hospitable environment.
The country is experiencing a surge in tourism during the five-day May Day Holiday which began on Friday, with more and more global visitors making the trip thanks to the introduction of a range of visa-free and transit visa policies for ordinary passport holders from many countries.
The bustling city of Shanghai has seen a hike in international tourism in recent days, with a number of foreign visitors flocking in to explore China's culture and enjoy the local cuisine.
"We are impressed with China. We love China now, and we are similar in the culture. For example, the spicy food," said a tourist from Mexico.
Meanwhile, Chongqing, a mountainous metropolis in the country's southwest has also become a trending destination for tourists from across the world, with many amazed by its stunning and distinctive cityscape.
"[This] city on the hills is amazing, so when you first go to one of the rivers and you see how the huge buildings cluster over the rivers, that's amazing," said a British traveler.
"I also think that the infrastructures are very good and very futuristic and modern, like the subway is very efficient and it's very good. So I want to give a thumbs-up to like the Chinese people because I think they are very kind with foreigners, like every Chinese people I met in Shanghai and here, they always are very friendly," said a tourist from France.
On top of the eye-catching attractions and impressive infrastructure, many highlighted the friendly nature of the Chinese people and the sense of security they feel while traveling in the country.
A group of three friends from Spain said they have been impressed by the hospitable welcome they have received, and the level of social trust they have encountered during their stay China.
"We feel like at home, even though most of them they don't speak English, they are nice," said one of the group.
"You can [not worry about] the pocket, they don't try to like steal from you or anything. If you forget the phone at the table, they go like: 'hey, you forgot that'," said another.
"When we just arrived in Shanghai and he forgot the e-book in the plane and I received an email, like 'guys you you forgot the e-book in the plane'. So for us, it was wow, crazy," added another of the Spanish tourists.
Foreign visitors marvel at China's modern infrastructure; safe, hospitable environment
