China's former agriculture minister, Tang Renjian, has been arrested on bribery charges. The arrest follows an investigation by the National Supervisory Commission and is part of President Xi Jinping's ongoing anti-corruption campaign. Tang, 62, was removed from his post in May and expelled from the Communist Party six months later, accused of accepting bribes and abusing his power.
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At least seven people, including two children, died after a boat carrying migrants from Turkiye to Lesbos, Greece, capsized. The Greek coast guard rescued 23 survivors and a search operation is ongoing. The cause of the incident, which occurred in good weather conditions, remains unclear.
At least 55 civilians were killed in northeastern Congo by CODECO militia fighters in an attack on villages and a displaced persons camp in Ituri province. The loosely affiliated Lendu farming militia has killed nearly 1,800 people in four years. The UN warns some attacks may be war crimes. Despite intervention by peacekeepers and government troops, the attackers overwhelmed defenses. The death toll may rise as bodies are recovered.
Thailand has introduced free public transport in Bangkok for a week to tackle severe air pollution. Over 350 schools were closed due to hazardous PM2.5 levels. The government also banned crop stubble burning and implemented work-from-home schemes to improve the city's air quality.
Chris Rock returned to host "Saturday Night Live" for the fourth time, joking about President Biden's pardon of his son, Hunter. Rock quipped about Biden's age but highlighted his middle finger's functionality, comparing the pardon to a universal parental instinct. This marked Rock's first SNL appearance since the 2022 Oscars incident with Will Smith.
The United States has lifted its bounty on Sirajuddin Haqqani, the Taliban's interior minister, as well as bounties on Abdul Aziz Haqqani and Yahya Haqqani. This development coincided with the Taliban's release of American prisoner George Glezmann.
During the Signal chat controversy, President Trump reportedly held a secret dinner at Mar-a-Lago with several attendees, including Elon Musk and his son. The dinner took place after the US bombed Yemen, which led to congratulatory messages among group members. The incident caused backlash after journalist Jeffrey Goldberg leaked details of how he was added to the group, although the administration claimed no war plan was discussed.
Hamas released the bodies of four Israeli hostages, including Shiri Bibas and her two young sons, who were feared dead after their October 7, 2023, abduction. Israel mourned their loss, while Hamas claimed they were killed in airstrikes. The handover, part of a ceasefire, highlights ongoing hostage negotiations. With Hamas still holding about 60 captives, further exchanges hinge on ceasefire terms. Israel, backed by the US, remains committed to dismantling Hamas, while the war has devastated... Expand
Chinese President Xi Jinping on Monday hailed Moscow's "positive efforts to defuse" the Ukraine crisis in a call with his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin, state media said. Xinhua news agency reported Xi as saying "China is happy to see Russia and relevant parties make positive efforts to defuse" the crisis in Ukraine.
US diplomats met with Syria's new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, head of Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS), following the ouster of President Bashar al-Assad. Concerns remain about minority and women's rights under the Islamist-led government. International powers are calling for an inclusive government, while Kurdish groups fear Turkish attacks. Demonstrations in Damascus protested against religious rule.
Donald Trump plans to use the recent Gaza ceasefire, which ended 15 months of conflict and involved a phased hostage release deal, to expand the Abraham Accords. The ceasefire arrangement follows significant casualties and destruction in Gaza. Trump emphasized continued cooperation to prevent Gaza from becoming a terrorist safe haven and aims to normalize Israel's relations with more Arab nations.