China's Yellow River marks 27 consecutive years of uninterrupted flow, the Ministry of Water Resources says Wednesday.

France places 78 departments under orange heat alert as temperatures forecast to reach 40C; nearly 70% of the country now under water-use restrictions

France puts 78 departments under orange heat alert; temperatures are forecast to reach 40C as a heat wave sweeps across the country, with nearly 70% of France currently under water-use restrictions.

Italy declares drought emergency across northern regions including Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and the Marche. Switzerland increases water releases from Lake Lugano to aid Lake Maggiore.

Lake Maggiore is suffering from drought and Switzerland is increasing releases from Lake Lugano. Water is also scarce in Piedmont, Lombardy, Veneto and the Marche: this is Italy's new emergency.

Ne Zha 2 becomes first animated film to win Best Picture at China's audience-voted Hundred Flowers Awards in Beijing on Monday, Xinhua reports. Enlight Media chairman Wang Changtian called it "a collective honor for Chinese animation."

"Ne Zha 2" won Best Picture at the 38th Hundred Flowers Awards in Beijing on Monday, becoming the first animated film to claim the top prize in the audience-voted ceremony's history, according to Xinhua. Enlight Media chairman Wang Changtian called the win "a collective honor for Chinese animation."

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji dies of illness at age 98 in Beijing at 11:06 a.m. Wednesday — Xinhua.

Former Chinese Premier Zhu Rongji died of illness at age 98 in Beijing at 11:06 a.m. Wednesday, according to Xinhua state news agency.