Beijing rains heaviest recorded in 140 years

FANGSHAN, China: Deadly rains that pummeled China's capital in recent days were the heaviest since records began 140 years ago, Beijing's weather agency said on Wednesday, as a massive cleanup operation began.

Millions of people have been hit by extreme weather events and prolonged heat waves around the globe in recent weeks — events that scientists say are being exacerbated by climate change.