China's top general under investigation for alleged wrongdoing as part of ongoing crackdown on leadership corruption
China's Ministry of Defense confirmed that its top general has been placed under investigation as part of an ongoing anti-corruption campaign against the military leadership.
He is President Xi Jinping's closest aide and a member of the Communist Party's Politburo, and they have not been seen together since November.
His investigation comes after a series of dismissals of senior generals, as China continues its military modernization and strategic regional positioning.
Israel agrees to "reopen" Rafah border crossing with Gaza once hostage rescue operation is complete
Israel announced on Sunday that its military was conducting a "major operation" to find the body of the last hostage in Gaza, adding that the Rafah crossing with Egypt would only reopen after this operation was completed.
The statement came as the Israeli cabinet was discussing the possibility of opening this border crossing a day after senior US representatives met with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Meanwhile, the headquarters of the UN agency for Palestinian refugees in East Jerusalem burned down overnight, days after the Israelis had demolished parts of it.
Iran president's son urges authorities to restore internet after protests suffocate
The son of Iran's president has called for the lifting of internet restrictions in the country, saying nothing will be solved by trying to delay the moment when photos and videos of protests that were violently suppressed by the regime circulate.
The internet shutdown has hindered investigations into the protests, burdened the economy, and caused huge financial and social losses.
Meanwhile, some of the protesters contacted by The Guardian in Iran blamed Donald Trump for failing to provide the aid he had promised.
Ferry with 350 people on board capsizes in the Philippines, leaving 15 dead and dozens missing
At least 15 people have died after a ferry carrying more than 350 people sank early Monday near an island in the southern Philippines, according to local officials, while the coast guard warned that 28 people remained missing.
Coast guard officials said the ferry encountered technical problems and sank after midnight.
According to coast guard reports, 316 people have been rescued so far.
