The streets in Shandong, China’s second most populous province with a population of more than 100 million, were flooded as a result of the heavy rain, and transportation was disrupted. According to Meteorology Specialist Zhang Jianyun, underground areas in large cities should be planned and used extensively for drainage, storage, and water treatment, and the construction of ‘sponge’ cities will also help reduce the risk of flooding.

While more than 42,000 people were evacuated in the Sichuan province of China this morning, more than 60,000 people were negatively affected by the continuous torrential rains in the region.

In 2015, China launched a program to build sponge cities capable of safely holding and draining more rainwater, with permeable asphalt and pavements among potential technological solutions.

China heavy rain Shandong

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NATO Leaders Approve 5% Defense Spending Goal

On Jun 25, 2025

At the NATO Summit in The Hague, Netherlands, allied leaders approved a final declaration pledging to allocate 5% of GDP to defense by 2035. The declaration reaffirmed commitment to NATO’s collective defense and included 3.5% for core military spending and 1.5% for infrastructure, civil preparedness, and resilience. Aid to Ukraine will count toward these figures.

The next summit will be hosted by Türkiye in 2026.

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan met with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, and French President Emmanuel Macron. He emphasized Türkiye’s cooperation with Germany, EU accession goals, the importance of sustaining calm between Israel and Iran, a just peace in Ukraine, and improving conditions in Syria for refugee return

NATO Netherlands The Hague

Heavy rains hit Chinese province of Shandong

NATO Leaders Approve 5% Defense Spending Goal