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Dunajská Lužná (Slovakia) (AFP) – Working through the night, staff at a Slovakian orchard carefully place paraffin flames under cherry trees. These are just one tool in the fight to save the trees’ precious buds against spring frost. To maintain a temperature between -1 and 0 degrees, workers use candles, pellet stoves, and smoke machines for the cherry trees, while apple trees are covered in ice, a procedure which creates a bubble around the buds, maintaining the most sensitive parts at a temperature of 0 degrees.

Taipei (AFP) – Residents of Taiwan express mixed feelings about this week’s meeting between President Tsai Ing-wen and US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. Tsai’s visit to the US sparked an angry response from China, with Beijing vowing a “firm and forceful” response, before deploying a number of warships to waters around Taiwan. “It’s meaningless” says one man in Taipei, “the only thing out of it is a newspaper headline.”

Donetsk region (Ukraine) (AFP) – Surrounded by trees splintered by the fighting and destroyed armoured vehicles semi-submerged in a bog, a Ukrainian mortar unit holds its position near the Donetsk frontline. “Russia has a lot of artillery here” says Mykolai, a member of the unit, “it’s difficult to manoeuvre.”

Paris (AFP) – As governments across Europe battle record levels of inflation to keep food and energy prices within reach, one Paris chocolate shop is stepping in and doing its bit. Edwart, in the city centre, has altered its recipes to use more affordable ingredients, and has simplified some of its products to save time and money. With Easter around the corner, both methods have been vital in enabling the shop to keep its prices the same as last year.

London (AFP) – Dissident artist Ai Weiwei will launch his new show “Making Sense” on Friday at London’s Design Museum. The show by the Chinese artist features monumental site-specific installations, blending politics and the personal, and his largest-ever Lego artwork inspired by Monet.

Beijing (AFP) – China vows to take “resolute and forceful measures” after Taiwan president Tsai Ing-wen held talks in California with US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy. “China will take firm and forceful measures to firmly safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity,” foreign ministry spokeswoman Mao Ning said at a regular briefing.

Simi Valley (United States) (AFP) – US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy met Taiwan’s president in California on Wednesday for talks that have already prompted outrage and dire warnings from China.

Beijing (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron arrives at the Great Hall of the People in Beijing, speaking to Chinese Premier Li Qiang ahead of his meeting with Chinese President Xi Jinping.

Blumenau (Brazil) (AFP) – Residents of Blumenau in southern Brazil light candles and pray outside the Good Shepherd Center, a private preschool, to mourn the four children who were killed with a hatchet-like weapon by a 25-year-old man. The attacker also wounded four other children, before turning himself into the police. IMAGES

Simi Valley (United States) (AFP) – Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen thanks US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and members of the US Congress for their hospitality during remarks at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California. “Their presence and unwavering support reassure the people of Taiwan that we are not isolated and we are not alone,” Tsai says.

Simi Valley (United States) (AFP) – US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and members of the US Congress meet with Taiwanese President Tsai Ing-wen at the Ronald Reagan Presidential Library and Museum in Simi Valley, California.

Washington (AFP) – The White House is “extremely concerned” after clashes inside Jerusalem’s Al-Aqsa mosque compound and urges restraint by both Israelis and Palestinians. “It is imperative now more than ever that Israelis and Palestinians work together to deescalate tensions and restore calm,” White House Press Secretary Karine Jean-Pierre tells reporters during a briefing in Washington.