Beijing’s extreme rain ‘trap’ kills at least 30, displaces thousands
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Beijing’s extreme rain ‘trap’ kills at least 30, displaces thousands
Extreme weather kills at least 30 people in Beijing after a year’s worth of rain fell in less than a week. Hundreds of flights and a number of train services were delayed or suspended as the storms peaked on Monday night. Most of the rain had converged on Beijing’s mountainous north near the Great Wall, with at least 28 deaths reported in the district of Miyun and two in Yanqing. Rainfall in the city of Xingtai in the neighbouring Hebei province exceeded 1,000 mm in two days – double the yearly average. China’s usually arid north has seen record rains in recent years, with some scientists linking it to global warming. The most intense downpour occurred on Saturday in Beijing’s hilly Huairou, where 95.3 mm ofRain fell in one hour. The average annual rainfall in Beijing is around 600 mm. The city’s disaster management capabilities have been stretched by the deluge, prompting some experts to call the city a rain “trap”
Item 1 of 4 Rescue workers ride on a front loader as they make their way through a flooded road behind a cordon line, after heavy rainfall in Miyun district of Beijing, China July 29, 2025. REUTERS/Florence Lo
Summary At least 30 people dead as extreme rain hits Beijing
More than 80,000 Beijing residents relocated
At least eight dead, villages flooded on Monday in neighbouring regions
BEIJING, July 29 (Reuters) – Extreme weather killed at least 30 people in Beijing after a year’s worth of rain fell in less than a week, forcing the relocation of more than 80,000 people, damaging roads and cutting off power and communications in more than 130 villages.
Hundreds of flights and a number of train services were delayed or suspended as the storms peaked on Monday night, stretching the capital’s disaster management capabilities and prompting some experts to call the city a rain “trap”.
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Most of the rain had converged on Beijing’s mountainous north near the Great Wall, with at least 28 deaths reported in the district of Miyun and two in Yanqing, Xinhua reported. The state-run news agency did not say when or how the deaths occurred.
“The flood came in an instant, you just had no buffer,” said Zhai, 33, who runs a grocery shop in Miyun, now a disaster zone amid collapsed bridges, mangled cars and shattered pipelines.
She showed Reuters the marks left behind as the floodwaters receded. They had risen to 1.5 metres (4.92 ft), submerging her shop for hours and ruining her food and beverage stocks.
Liu, who owns a nearby restaurant, was on the verge of tears as she stared at the overturned stools and mud-covered table-tops in her eatery.
Large appliances like fridges had sat submerged for hours and were likely damaged, said her husband Yang, estimating the damage at more than 100,000 yuan ($14,000).
‘EXTREMELY DESTRUCTIVE’
Heavy rains began on July 23 and peaked around Beijing and surrounding provinces on Monday, with Miyun experiencing rainfall of up to 573.5 mm (22.6 inches) – levels local media described as “extremely destructive”. The average annual rainfall in Beijing is around 600 mm.
The most intense downpour occurred on Saturday in Beijing’s hilly Huairou, where 95.3 mm of rain fell in one hour.
“The cumulative amount of precipitation has been extremely high – reaching 80–90% of the annual total in just a few days in some areas,” said Xuebin Zhang of the University of Victoria in Canada and CEO of the Pacific Climate Impacts Consortium.
“Very few systems are designed to handle such an intense volume of rainfall over such a short period,” Zhang said.
The local topography – mountains to the west and north – “trapped” the moist air and forced it upward, amplifying the deluge, he said.
China’s usually arid north has seen record rains in recent years, with some scientists linking it to global warming.
In the summer of 2023, heavy rain and flooding killed at least 33 people in Beijing. Rainfall in the city of Xingtai in the neighbouring Hebei province exceeded 1,000 mm in two days – double the yearly average.
‘FLOOD STILL COMING’
Heavy rain also pounded the province of Hebei and the city of Tianjin near Beijing.
In Hebei, eight people were killed as a landslide hit a village on Monday, after the region received six months’ worth of rain over the weekend. Four remained missing.
In two villages in Tianjin on Monday, only the roofs of single-storey houses were visible, China Central Television (CCTV) reported.
The emergency management ministry said the disaster relief situation had been “complex and severe”.
Residents pleaded for faster rescue efforts in posts on social media platform Weibo.
“The flood is still coming, and there is still no power or signal, and I still can’t get in touch with my family!” a Weibo user wrote on Tuesday morning.
($1 = 7.1767 Chinese yuan)
Reporting by Xiuhao Chen and Liz Lee in Beijing and Farah Master in Hong Kong; Editing by Stephen Coates, Saad Sayeed and Himani Sarkar
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Thailand-Cambodia border calm as military commanders hold talks
Thai and Cambodian leaders met in Malaysia on Monday and agreed to a ceasefire deal to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade. At least 40 people, mostly civilians, and displaced over 300,000 in both countries. Thailand’s military said that there had been attacks by Cambodian troops in at least five locations early on Tuesday, violating the ceasefire that had come into effect from midnight. Cambodia denied the charge, insisting that its troops have strictly abided by the ceasefire since midnight and continue to uphold it, according to a statement by Defence Minister Tea Seiha. The Southeast Asian neighbours have wrangled for decades over their disputed frontier. Both sides led to a full-blown diplomatic crisis in May, leading to a troop buildup on both sides and a full diplomatic push by U.S. President Donald Trump, who said he had spoken to both leaders and had instructed his team to restart trade talks and reduce their tariff on their biggest export market, their biggest market, the U.N. says.
Border residents begin returning home in both countries
Over 300,000 people displaced, 40 people killed in fighting
Ceasefire deal announced in Malaysia on Monday after 5-day battle
BANGKOK, July 29 (Reuters) – Military commanders from Thailand and Cambodia held talks on Tuesday as calm returned to their disputed border and displaced residents began trickling back, following the Southeast Asian neighbours announcing a truce to end five days of fighting.
Thai and Cambodian leaders met in Malaysia on Monday and agreed to a ceasefire deal to halt their deadliest conflict in more than a decade that has killed at least 40 people, mostly civilians, and displaced over 300,000 in both countries.
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Although Thailand’s military said that there had been attacks by Cambodian troops in at least five locations early on Tuesday, violating the ceasefire that had come into effect from midnight, commanders from both sides met and held talks, a Thai army spokesperson said.
Cambodia denied the charge, insisting that its troops have strictly abided by the ceasefire since midnight and continue to uphold it, according to a statement by Defence Minister Tea Seiha.
Negotiations so far include those between the general leading Thailand’s 2nd region army, which oversees the stretch of the frontier that has seen the heaviest fighting during the conflict, and his Cambodian counterpart, Thai Major Gen. Winthai Suvaree told reporters.
The commanders, who met at the border, agreed to maintain the ceasefire, stop any troop movement, and facilitate the return of the wounded and dead bodies, he said.
“Each side will establish a coordinating team of four to resolve any problems,” Winthai said.
Both militaries have agreed not to deploy more troops along their disputed border, said Lim Menghour, Director-General of the Commission on Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of the National Assembly of Cambodia, who also underlined the need for international observers to monitor the ceasefire.
“That is the key to monitor all the terms and agreements from the meeting yesterday,” he told Reuters.
In Bangkok, Thailand’s acting Prime Minister Phumtham Wechayachai said his government had filed complaints with Malaysia, the United States and China over Cambodia’s alleged ceasefire violations – but calm had returned to border areas.
Vehicular traffic and daily activity resumed in the Kantharalak district of Thailand’s Sisaket province on Tuesday, about 30 km (20 miles) from the frontlines, where Thai and Cambodian troops remain amassed.
Item 1 of 5 A soldier is seen on an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) on a road near Thailand-Cambodia’s border in Sisaket province, the day after the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire on Monday in a bid to bring an end to their deadliest conflict in more than a decade and ahead of military negotiations, Thailand, July 29, 2025. REUTERS/Athit Perawongmetha [1/5] A soldier is seen on an Armored Personnel Carrier (APC) on a road near Thailand-Cambodia’s border in Sisaket province, the day after the leaders of Cambodia and Thailand agreed to a ceasefire on Monday in a bid to bring an end to their deadliest conflict in more than a decade and ahead of… Purchase Licensing Rights , opens new tab Read more
Chaiya Phumjaroen, 51, said he returned to town to reopen his shop early on Tuesday, after hearing of the ceasefire deal on the news.
“I am very happy that a ceasefire happened,” he said. “If they continue to fight, we have no opportunity to make money.”
In Cambodia’s Oddar Meanchey province, 63-year-old Ly Kim Eng sat in front of a makeshift tarpaulin shelter, waiting for directions after hearing of the ceasefire deal.
“So, if the authorities announce it is safe for all of the refugees to return home, I would immediately return,” he said.
TALKS AND TRADE
The Southeast Asian neighbours have wrangled for decades over their disputed frontier and have been on a conflict footing since the killing of a Cambodian soldier in a skirmish late in May, which led to a troop buildup on both sides and a full-blown diplomatic crisis.
Monday’s peace talks came after a sustained push by Malaysian Premier Anwar Ibrahim and U.S. President Donald Trump, with the latter warning Thai and Cambodian leaders that trade negotiations would not progress if fighting continued.
Thailand and Cambodia face a tariff of 36% on their goods in the U.S., their biggest export market, unless a reduction can be negotiated. After the ceasefire deal was reached, Trump said he had spoken to both leaders and had instructed his trade team to restart tariff talks.
Pichai Chunhavajira, Thailand’s finance minister, said on Tuesday that trade talks with Washington are expected to be concluded before August 1, and that U.S. tariffs on the country are not expected to be as high as 36%.
The ceasefire deal reflected a rare convergence of interest between the U.S. and China, which also pushed for the talks, but the agreement itself remained fragile and third-party monitoring was essential to keep it in place, said Thitinan Pongsudhirak, a political scientist at Bangkok’s Chulalongkorn University.
“The ceasefire agreement has to be enforced,” he said. “It cannot be left to Thailand and Cambodia to implement because the hostilities are running so deep now.”
Reporting by Panu Wongcha-um and Panarat Thepgumpanat in BANGKOK, Shoon Naing in KANTHARALAK and Zaw Naing Oo and Chantha Lach in ODDAR MEANCHEY; Additional reporting by Poppy McPherson, Juarawee Kittisilpa and Chayut Setboonsarng in BANGKOK; Writing by Devjyot Ghoshal; Editing by John Mair and Raju Gopalakrishnan
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Endesa reports 30% profit rise but warns Spain’s grid plan lacks incentives
Spanish power utility Endesa (ELE.MC) reported on Tuesday a 30% rise in first-half net profit to 1.04 billion euros ($1.20 billion) The company, majority-owned by Italy’s Enel (ENEI.MI), has shifted its focus to expanding and upgrading power networks amid soaring electricity demand and connection requests. The company criticised a proposal by Spain’s competition and energy watchdog CNMC to update the remuneration framework for investments in grids.
Companies Endesa SA Follow
Enel SpA Follow
MADRID, July 29 (Reuters) – Spanish power utility Endesa (ELE.MC) , opens new tab reported on Tuesday a 30% rise in first-half net profit to 1.04 billion euros ($1.20 billion), while warning that a proposed remuneration framework for power grid investments in Spain fails to offer adequate incentives.
The company, majority-owned by Italy’s Enel (ENEI.MI) , opens new tab has shifted its focus to expanding and upgrading power networks amid soaring electricity demand and connection requests, reducing spending on renewables.
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massive blackout on April 28 affecting Spain and Portugal has reignited discussions about the investment needs for the country’s power networks, which are regulated by Spain’s competition and energy watchdog CNMC.
The company criticised a proposal by Spain’s competition and energy watchdog CNMC to update the remuneration framework for investments in grids in the coming year, including raising the guaranteed return on investments in power grids to 6.46%.
“This proposal seriously jeopardises the level of investment Spain needs to achieve its decarbonisation, increase electricity demand and grid investment goals” included in the country’s climate and energy plan, Chief Executive Jose Bogas said.
Endesa booked a net profit of 1.04 billion euros ($1.20 billion) in the period. This compares with 800 million euros a year earlier, when results included a windfall tax on energy companies.
The company said it is on track to meet its targets this year.
“Endesa suffered a declining trend in its integrated electricity margin” in the second quarter “and lower, albeit still high, gas unit margins,” RBC analyst Fernando Garcia said in a note.
“We expect a declining trend in gas unit margins in the second half and beating guidance looks now more challenging,” he said.
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Reporting by Pietro Lombardi, editing by Inti Landauro and Louise Heavens
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New Zealand introduces law that make it harder to vote
The proposed law will allow people to enrol to vote only up to 13 days before an election. Currently potential voters can enrol up to and on election day. The law will also ban all prisoners from voting and require voting to open 12 days ahead of the official election day in New Zealand. The changes are, in part, prompted by delays in results at the 2023 election, when it took nearly three weeks before an official result was released due to the high number of special votes. However, a report by Attorney General Judith Collins concluded that the bill “appears to be inconsistent” with the country’s Bill of Rights.
WELLINGTON, July 29 (Reuters) – The New Zealand government on Tuesday introduced a law that will prevent people from enrolling to vote on election day and bar prisoners from casting their ballot while in jail, in a move critics say could reduce voter participation.
The proposed law, which passed its first of three readings in parliament on Tuesday, will allow people to enrol to vote only up to 13 days before an election. Currently potential voters can enrol up to and on election day.
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The law will also ban all prisoners from voting and require voting to open 12 days ahead of the official election day.
“This bill overhauls a number of outdated and unsustainable electoral laws. The package of amendments will strengthen the system, helping to deliver timely election results, manage the costs, clarify rules and provide more efficient services to voters,” said Minister of Justice Paul Goldsmith, who proposed the bill.
However, a report by Attorney General Judith Collins concluded that the bill “appears to be inconsistent” with the country’s Bill of Rights, including the right to freedom of expression and the right to vote.
The changes are, in part, prompted by delays in results at the 2023 election, when it took nearly three weeks before an official result was released due to the high number of special votes.
Special votes are cast by New Zealanders living or travelling overseas, voting outside their constituency or newly enrolled.
The Attorney General’s report, which was released publicly on Friday, said in the last election special votes included over 97,000 people who registered for the first time during the voting period, and nearly 134,000 people who changed electoral districts during the voting period.
“This gives some indication of the number of people who may be affected,” said Collins, who is a member of the ruling party.
Duncan Webb, a lawmaker from the opposition Labour Party opposing the bill, on Tuesday called it “a dark day for democracy”.
“Politicians should be making it easier for people to vote, not harder. It’s how we make sure that everybody’s voice is heard, that everyone gets a say,” he said.
Reporting by Lucy Craymer; Editing by Lincoln Feast
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Exclusive: Cadence to plead guilty and pay $140 million to US for China sales
Cadence agrees to plead guilty and pay more than $140 million to resolve U.S. charges for selling chip design products to a Chinese military university. Cadence is accused of violating export controls by illegally selling chip. design software and hardware to front companies representing China’s National University of Defense Technology. NUDT’s supercomputers are thought to support nuclear explosive simulation and military simulation activities. The deal, which comes as the US and China meet for new trade talks, shows the U.s. is still willing to enforce export controls on China, even as it relaxes some of the restrictions as part of negotiations. The company said it was “pleased” to reach settlements with the Justice and Commerce departments. It is expected to be on probation for three years, meaning it cannot commit any further violations and has to fulfill its obligations under the plea agreement. The $ 140 million covers criminal penalties, forfeiture and a civil penalty imposed by the Commerce department. It also covers a related subpoena over the company’s business activity in China.
Summary
Companies Cadence sold chip design tools to Chinese military university
Settlement discussions between Cadence and US began in December
Resolution comes as US and China engage in new trade talks
July 28 (Reuters) – Cadence Design (CDNS.O) , opens new tab agreed to plead guilty and pay more than $140 million to resolve U.S. charges for selling its chip design products to a Chinese military university believed to be involved in simulating nuclear explosions, the Justice Department said on Monday.
Cadence is accused of violating export controls by illegally selling chip design software and hardware to front companies representing China’s National University of Defense Technology.
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NUDT’s supercomputers are thought to support nuclear explosive simulation and military simulation activities, according to U.S. Commerce Department notices restricting shipments to the university.
San Jose, California-based Cadence noted a charge related to the legal proceedings in its quarterly results, also released on Monday. In a filing with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission, the company said it was “pleased” to reach settlements with the Justice and Commerce departments.
Cadence shares rose 6.5% after it posted the news and its quarterly results.
The deal, which comes as the U.S. and China meet for new trade talks, shows the U.S. is still willing to enforce U.S. export controls on China, even as it relaxes some of the restrictions as part of negotiations.
NUDT was put on the Commerce Department’s restricted trade list in 2015 to keep it from using U.S. technology to power its supercomputers, according to department postings. Other aliases and locations were added to the university’s listing in 2019 and 2022, including Hunan Guofang Keji University, Central South CAD Center and CSCC.
Cadence and its subsidiary Cadence China exported electronic design automation tools at least 56 times to CSCC between 2015 and 2020, with certain Cadence China employees facilitating business with NUDT while knowing CSCC was an alias for the restricted university, court papers said. They also transferred EDA tools to Phytium Technology Co, a semiconductor company closely associated with NUDT, until 2021, without obtaining required licenses, according to court papers.
NUDT and Phytium did not immediately respond to requests for comment.
Cadence agreed to plead guilty to one count of conspiracy to commit export control violations. It is expected to be on probation for three years, meaning it cannot commit any further violations and has to fulfill its obligations under the plea agreement. The $140 million covers criminal penalties, forfeiture and a civil penalty imposed by the Commerce department.
Cadence, whose customers include major semiconductor manufacturers and companies such as Nvidia and Qualcomm, is known for its electronic computer-aided design software.
Cadence was run for over a decade by Lip-Bu Tan, a Malaysian-born Chinese American business executive appointed chief executive of Intel Corp (INTC.O) , opens new tab in March. Tan was CEO of Cadence from 2008 through December 2021, which includes the period the sales took place, and was executive chairman until May 2023.
A spokesman for Lip-Bu Tan did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
The U.S. investigation into Cadence, which began more than four years ago, involved “historical sales by Cadence to customers in China,” according to a company filing. Cadence received a subpoena from the U.S. Commerce Department in February 2021, demanding records related to certain customers in China. A related November 2023 subpoena followed from the Justice Department over the company’s business activity in China.
Entities are placed on the restricted trade list, formally known as the Entity List, for activities deemed contrary to U.S. national security or foreign policy interests. U.S. companies are not allowed to ship goods and technology to them without licenses from the Commerce Department, which are generally denied.
Electronic design automation tools are key to designing chips and verifying that they are bug-free. NUDT has developed chips to power university supercomputers, including Tianhe-2, once touted as the world’s best supercomputer, which the U.S. believes has been used in research on or the development of nuclear explosive devices.
Twelve percent of Cadence’s revenue came from China last year, down from 17% in 2023, amid regulatory developments and geopolitical tensions.
Reporting by Karen Freifeld; additional reporting by Eduardo Baptista Editing by Chris Sanders, Rod Nickel and Nia Williams
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