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Newsweek
28-07-2025
- Climate
- Newsweek
Video Shows Cars Swept Away in Beijing Amid China Floods
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. At least four people have died and eight remain missing following intense rainfall and flooding across northern China, authorities confirmed on Monday, as evacuation efforts and flood alerts expanded across several provinces. The fatalities resulted from a landslide in a rural area of Hebei province. Floodwaters inundated parts of Beijing and nearby districts, sweeping away vehicles and prompting large-scale evacuations while thousands more were relocated. In response, the Chinese government deployed emergency teams and provided financial aid, with forecasts warning of more heavy rain for the capital and surrounding areas. Newsweek has reached out to the Chinese Foreign Ministry for comment. Why It Matters The latest flooding underscores China's vulnerability to extreme weather events, especially in densely populated and low-lying areas. The situation raises concerns about infrastructure readiness, particularly following last year's severe floods in Beijing and Hebei that killed dozens. Authorities' rapid response, including evacuations and funding, highlights both lessons learned and the urgency of current threats. People clean their vehicle in floodwaters after heavy rain in Taishitun Town, Miyun district on the outskirts of Beijing on July 28. People clean their vehicle in floodwaters after heavy rain in Taishitun Town, Miyun district on the outskirts of Beijing on July 28. Mahesh Kumar A./AP Photo Rainfall Hits Hard The four deaths were linked to a landslide in Luanping county, a mountainous region of Hebei province that borders Beijing. State media said the victims were caught in rapidly shifting terrain during the heavy rains. Meanwhile, eight people are still missing, and local residents reported communication disruptions, making it difficult to check on family members. Video posted on X from user @whyyoutouzhele shows cars being swept away in Beijing's Miyun district. The video has been viewed over 149,000 times as of Monday morning. Flash Flood Risk China's Ministry of Water Resources and Meteorological Administration issued a red flash flood warning at 6 p.m. on July 28. From 8 p.m. that evening to 8 p.m. on July 29, severe flash floods are likely in and around Beijing, including areas just to the north and east of the capital. Surrounding regions—including parts of Tianjin, Hebei, and Liaoning—are also under orange-level flood alerts. The map below highlights the areas most at risk during this period. Who Is Being Evacuated? Since Friday, more than 4,000 people in Beijing's Miyun district and around 5,600 residents in Tianjin have been evacuated, along with additional relocations in Hebei's Luanping and surrounding counties. Power outages also affected more than 10,000 people. Another series of videos from @whyyoutouzhele show rising floodwaters sweeping through streets and threatening homes in the province. What Happens Next? The central government has allocated 50 million yuan (approximately $7 million) to support relief efforts in Hebei and sent emergency personnel to help cities including Chengde, Baoding, and Zhangjiakou. Further rainfall is expected, keeping emergency measures in place across northern China.
DW
18-05-2025
- DW
India: Building fire kills 17 in Hyderabad – DW – 05/18/2025
The fire happened in a building that housed a jewelry store at gound level and residential space above. Authorities say it occurred due to a short circuit. At least 17 people were killed and several injured in a fire on Sunday that broke out at a building near the historic Charminar monument in the southern Indian city of Hyderabad. Several people were found unconscious and rushed to various hospitals, according to local media. The fire was now brought under control, authorities said. They said the building housed a jewelry store at ground level and residential space above. Fires are common in India, where building laws and safety norms are often flouted by builders and residents Image: Mahesh Kumar A./AP/picture alliance What sparked the fire? "The accident happened due to a short circuit and many people have died," federal minister and Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) leader G Kishan Reddy told reporters at the site of the accident. The director general of Telangana fire services, Y Nagi Reddy, told reporters that 21 people were in the three-story building when the fire started on the ground floor. "17 people, who were shifted to the hospital in an unconscious state, could not survive. The staircase was very narrow, which made escape difficult. There was only one exit, and the fire had blocked it," he said. Prime minister Narendra Modi announced financial compensation for the victims' families and said in a post on X that he was "deeply anguished by the loss of lives." Fires are common in India, where building laws and safety norms are often flouted by builders and residents. Edited by: Srinivas Mazumdaru
DW
17-05-2025
- Sport
- DW
Cricket: IPL and PSL resume after India-Pakistan tensions – DW – 05/09/2025
The Indian Premier League, one of sport's richest competitions, and the Pakistan Super League were suspended for over a week. Cricket is significant for both nations, but what does the conflict mean for the sport? What has happened between India and Pakistan? India and Pakistan are engaged in conflict in Kashmir, a disputed territory between the two countries. Parts of Kashmir are controlled by India, Pakistan and China. India has carried out airstrikes, which it says targeted militant groups in the region in recent days, with Pakistan describing them as an "act of war" and vowing to retaliate. Both sides have since been launching attacks on each other. The current flashpoint started in April when 26 tourists in India-administered Kashmir were killed. But the region has been disputed for centuries, eventually leading to the current uneasy three-way administration. How India-Pakistan tit-for-tat military clashes could unfold To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video What is happening with the IPL and PSL? The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) suspended the Indian Premier League (IPL) for at least a week as the conflict escalated. On May 9, the BCCI released a statement saying: "While the BCCI reposes full faith in the strength and preparedness of our armed forces, the Board considered it prudent to act in the collective interest of all stakeholders. At this critical juncture, the BCCI stands firmly with the nation. We express our solidarity with the Government of India, the Armed Forces and the people of our country," The night before that statement, a clash between the Punjab Kings and the Delhi Capitals in Dharamsala had to be abandoned due to "a power outage in the area, [affecting] one of the light towers at the HPCA stadium," according to the IPL. Announcing that the resumptions of the competition would take place on May 17, the BCCI reduced the venues from nine to six, with matches due to be played in Punjab, Chennai and Hyderabad moved to other venues. The final shifted to June 3, asf a number of international stars having had to leave the IPL before the tournamnet's new end due to international duties. The IPL has become on of the world's most lucrative sports leagues, with plenty of foreign players present Image: Mahesh Kumar A./AP/picture alliance Similary, there is also turmoil in the less-established Pakistan Super League (PSL) - which also resumed on May 17 in Pakistan. In suspending the PSL, the Pakistan Cricket Board initally decided to move the remaining eight matches of its tournament to the United Arab Emirates. That came amid claims from authorities that an Indian drone had fallen inside the complex of a stadium ahead of a PSL match. However, only a day later the decision was taken to suspend the competetion altogether. "The PCB has always stood by the position that politics and sports need to be kept apart. However, in view of the extremely irresponsible and dangerous Indian act of targeting the Rawalpindi Cricket Stadium, which was manifestly done to disrupt the ongoing HBL Pakistan Super League X, the PCB has decided to shift the remaining matches to UAE so that the domestic as well as foreign cricketers, who are our precious guests, can be saved from the possible reckless targeting by India." The PSL end came a week later than it was originally planned. The delays and uncertainty led to various international cricket boards with players competing in the PSL seeking to assist any of their players who were concerned for the safety, to leave the reigon. While some players from Pakistan played in early versions of the IPL, none has since 2008 while Indian players are prohibited from playing in any T20 leagues outside of India. How has this affected cricket outside the IPL and PSL? Relations between the countries mean the teams, whether men's or women's, do not face each other outside of global events organized by the International Cricket Council (ICC). These are usually short-format World Cups (Twenty20 or 50-over cricket). The last time the men's teams met in a Test match, the longer and more storied version of the game, was in 2007. Both the women's and the men's team have recently met in short-format global tournaments on neutral ground, the men in February and the women in 2024. But the current conflict has had an impact on some players, at least in terms of their social media. Recently, India blocked the accounts of current stars Babar Azam and Mohammad Rizwan and retired players Shahid Afridi and Wasim Akram in India while the Instagram of Pakistan's ex-prime minister and cricket captain Imran Khan was also blocked. Why India, Pakistan cricket matches are more than just sport To view this video please enable JavaScript, and consider upgrading to a web browser that supports HTML5 video It could also set back cricketing relations still further. India men's coach Gautam Gambhir, a former India player and former MP for Narendra Modi's ruling Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) party, said there "should not be anything between India and Pakistan" until the situation is resolved. When are India and Pakistan next set to play each other? Meetings are few and far between, with the next fixture in the men's game likely to be at the Twenty20 World Cup cohosted by champions India and Sri Lanka in 2026. The ICC has already ruled that games between the two sides should be held at neutral venues until at least 2027. But Gambhir's statement will first be tested at the Women's 50-over World Cup this September, which will also be hosted by India. Pakistan have qualified for the tournament and the round robin system in the group stage means the countries will be slated to face each other, albeit on neutral ground. What happens to that match may provide a first indication of where cricket relations between the pair could be headed in the coming months and years. Edited by: Chuck Penfold
