China’s defence ministry has announced that it has opened an investigation into the country’s highest-ranking general, underscoring what authorities present as a renewed commitment to discipline, accountability and institutional integrity within the armed forces.

In a brief statement, the ministry said General Zhang Youxia is being investigated for what it described as “grave violations of discipline and the law.” No further details were provided, but such language in China is commonly used to indicate alleged corruption or serious breaches of party rules. The announcement also confirmed that another senior officer, General Liu Zhenli, is under investigation as part of the same process.

General Zhang, 75, is one of the most senior figures in China’s military establishment. He serves as a vice-chairman of the Central Military Commission (CMC), the powerful Communist Party body chaired by President Xi Jinping that exercises full control over the armed forces. Zhang is also a member of the 24-person Politburo, placing him at the heart of China’s political and military decision-making.

The move follows the expulsion of nine top generals in October, marking one of the most extensive and public military crackdowns in decades. Taken together, these actions highlight a sustained effort by the leadership to reinforce discipline at the highest levels of the People’s Liberation Army and to strengthen confidence in its command structure.

Zhang’s career has been closely intertwined with the modern history of the Chinese military. He joined the army in 1968 and is among a small group of senior leaders with direct combat experience. His family background is also notable: his father was one of the founding generals of the Chinese Communist Party, giving Zhang long-standing revolutionary credentials.

He had been retained in his post beyond the customary retirement age for senior officers, a decision widely interpreted as a sign of President Xi’s trust in his leadership and experience. That context has made the investigation particularly striking, reinforcing the message that no individual is beyond scrutiny as the party seeks to uphold its standards.

Speculation about potential investigations intensified earlier this month after rumours circulated that both Zhang and Liu were absent from a high-level party event in December, an absence that often fuels questions about officials’ standing. The defence ministry’s announcement has now provided official confirmation that formal proceedings are under way.

Two people have been confirmed dead and several others are feared missing following a series of landslides triggered by days of relentless heavy rainfall across New Zealand’s North Island, as emergency services continue extensive search and rescue operations in difficult conditions.

Authorities said the two fatalities were recorded in Welcome Bay, where large volumes of earth and debris swept through parts of the community. Meanwhile, rescue teams remain on the ground at a separate and highly concerning site at a popular campground on Mount Maunganui, where several people are believed to be buried beneath rubble. Despite the lack of “signs of life” so far, officials say efforts are continuing with urgency and care.

Emergency services have indicated they have a preliminary understanding of how many people may be unaccounted for, though they are awaiting confirmation before releasing exact figures. They have disclosed only that the group of missing individuals includes “at least one young girl,” a detail that has deepened concern nationwide and reinforced the resolve of rescue crews working around the clock.

The landslides are part of a broader weather emergency caused by days of intense rainfall, which has led to widespread flooding, road closures, and power outages across much of the North Island. Entire communities have been cut off, and infrastructure damage remains extensive in several regions. One government minister described scenes along the east coast as resembling “a war zone,” underscoring the scale of the destruction left behind by the storms.

Despite the severity of the situation, authorities have praised the rapid mobilisation of emergency responders, local volunteers, and support agencies. Heavy machinery, specialist search teams, and welfare services have been deployed, while affected residents are being offered shelter, food, and medical assistance as conditions allow.

Officials have also emphasised that safety remains the top priority, with ongoing assessments of unstable ground and the risk of further slips as rain continues in some areas. Communities have been urged to follow evacuation orders and official guidance as recovery and rescue efforts progress.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has confirmed that Ukraine and the United States have completed a draft framework addressing post-war security guarantees, following high-level talks with US President Donald Trump and his team on the sidelines of the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Speaking to reporters, Zelensky said the document outlining US security commitments to Ukraine is effectively finalised, describing it as “done,” although formal signatures will only come after the end of active hostilities. He explained that discussions with the US delegation, which included Trump, concluded with agreement on the text, marking a significant step forward for Kyiv’s long-term security ambitions.

“We need to sign,” Zelensky said, stressing that the agreement would only take effect once the war has stopped. He clarified that while no binding deal has yet been enacted, both sides have completed the document, which now awaits signatures from the respective presidents and subsequent ratification by national parliaments in Washington and Kyiv.

For Zelensky, bringing the US president on board with a clear post-war security framework represents a major diplomatic gain. However, attention is now shifting rapidly toward upcoming trilateral talks involving Ukraine, the United States and Russia, which are expected to take place in the United Arab Emirates. These discussions are widely seen as a crucial next phase in efforts to bring the conflict closer to resolution.

Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, has confirmed he will travel to Abu Dhabi from Moscow to take part in the talks. Zelensky has already named Ukraine’s negotiating team, which includes several of his most senior officials, underlining the seriousness with which Kyiv is approaching the process.

Witkoff struck an optimistic tone, suggesting that the central issue dividing the parties is “solvable.” Zelensky echoed that assessment, saying the core of the dispute remains territorial, particularly concerning land in eastern Ukraine. The key question now is whether Russian President Vladimir Putin will accept a US-backed proposal for a demilitarised, free-trade zone in the Donbas region, or continue to push for full Russian control of the area.

Diplomatic activity has intensified noticeably in recent days, signalling growing international momentum. Still, Zelensky cautioned that the US security guarantees will not be finalised quickly. Any agreement would require approval from the US Congress as well as Ukraine’s parliament, a process that will take time.

Details of the proposed guarantees have not yet been made public. Kyiv had initially sought up to 50 years of firm US commitments to assist Ukraine in the event of future aggression, an ambition widely viewed as challenging. Nevertheless, Zelensky remains convinced that a strong US “backstop” is essential.