Northeast and north China are grappling with their first major snowfall of this winter, with Liaoning's Huludao and Hebei's Qinhuangdao among the hardest-hit areas.
In Suizhong County, Huludao, northeast China's Liaoning Province, one of the worst-affected zones, snow has continued since Saturday evening, prompting warnings for blizzards, icy roads and strong winds.
Authorities deployed personnel and equipment overnight to clear snow and eliminate traffic hazards, while police manned fixed posts to ensure rapid response and clearance of accidents.
Some expressway toll stations in Huludao are partially closed or operating under restrictions, and all of the city's more than 1,300 registered fishing boats have returned to port to shelter from the wind.
In Qinhuangdao, Hebei Province in northern China, the meteorological observatory issued a red alert for blizzards early Wednesday after most of the city saw heavy snow.
Six-hour snowfall exceeded 15 millimeters in Qinglong County, Lulong County, Funing District, Changli County, Haigang District and Shanhaiguan District, and snow removal work was carried out overnight. Forecasters expect another 3 to 10 millimeters of snow in the central and southern parts of the city and 2 to 5 millimeters in the north by 14:00, urging the public to minimize outdoor activity and keep warm.
Liaoning, Hebei hit by first heavy snowfall of winter in northern China
Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Sunday formally tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming a government, giving the former military chief a chance to replace Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu after Netanyahu's right-wing coalition lost its parliamentary majority in October's election.
Eisenkot, leader of the centrist Yashar party, received recommendations from 67 lawmakers in the 120-seat parliament, compared with 46 for Netanyahu.
At the ceremony, Herzog called for unity and a "stable government that can last."
Eisenkot warned that Israel was facing a "critical moment," saying the objectives of its multi-front conflicts "remained unfulfilled," its international relations were in a "devastating crisis," and its democracy was facing one of its gravest challenges.
"If we continue on the current path, we risk reaching a point of no return," he said, calling for new leadership "that people can look in the eye and trust."
He said he was convinced it was possible to form a new government with a substantial majority in the Knesset, and that he was open to Netanyahu's Likud party and far-right Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich's Religious Zionist Party joining a government under his leadership.
He said they were invited to "support the government under my leadership and the principles I've outlined."
"I intend to be the prime minister of all citizens of Israel, those who voted for me and those who haven't," Eisenkot said.
Eisenkot has 28 days to form a government, with a possible 14-day extension. Netanyahu will remain caretaker prime minister until a new government is sworn in.
Eisenkot's four-party alliance holds only 48 seats and would need support from Arab lawmakers or other parties to form a government.
Netanyahu on Saturday called for a national unity government, while Eisenkot's party said Likud could join a government led by Eisenkot if it abandoned its far-right allies.
Under Israeli law, if Eisenkot fails to form a government within the allotted time, Herzog may assign the task to another candidate, or at least 61 members of the 120-seat Knesset can ask the president to entrust the mandate to a candidate of their choice. If these efforts also fail, the Knesset will be dissolved and new elections will be held.
Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot officially receives mandate to form gov't
Israeli opposition leader Eisenkot officially receives mandate to form gov't
