Xi's top general accused of leaking China's nuke secrets to US
India Today
The allegations include leaking "core technical data" from China's nuclear weapons programme to the United States. The report cites people familiar with a high-level internal briefing for senior Chinese military officers, which took place shortly before the public announcement of the investigation, reported The Wall Street Journal.
China has launched an investigation into General Zhang Youxia, vice chairman of the Central Military Commission, raising concerns both domestically and internationally due to allegations ranging from corruption to leaking sensitive nuclear weapons data to the United States. The Ministry of National Defence stated the probe was initiated for "serious violations of discipline and law," while further details have not been provided by Chinese authorities.
According to The Wall Street Journal, the allegations include leaking "core technical data" from China's nuclear weapons programme to the United States. The report cites people familiar with a high-level internal briefing for senior Chinese military officers, which took place shortly before the public announcement of the investigation. The allegations also include accepting large bribes in exchange for promotions, suggesting a broader pattern of corruption within the military.
The briefing reportedly detailed multiple accusations against Zhang, such as forming political cliques, abusing authority within the Central Military Commission, and overseeing corrupt practices in military procurement.
The Wall Street Journal suggested the investigation is part of a broader crackdown on corruption within China's military procurement system. It connects the case with the earlier removal of former Defence Minister Li Shangfu, who was expelled from the Communist Party. The crackdown appears to be targeting not only individuals but also entrenched networks of influence that have shaped military decision-making for years.
Additional scrutiny is reportedly being placed on officers promoted under Zhang, with authorities seizing mobile devices from individuals linked to the case. This move underscores the seriousness with which the authorities are pursuing the investigation.
Official confirmation from Chinese authorities regarding any nuclear data leak has not been issued. In a statement to the Journal, a spokesman for the Chinese Embassy in Washington described the probe as reflecting the Communist Party's "full-coverage, zero-tolerance approach to combating corruption." The lack of public confirmation about the nuclear aspect has fueled speculation and uncertainty, both within China and among international observers.
Amid a dire energy crisis triggered by the choking of the Strait of Hormuz, Islamabad has cancelled the celebrations and the parade scheduled for Pakistan Day. The March 23 observance will now be marked with "simplicity and dignity", said Pakistani PM Shahbaz Sharif's office, as fuel shortages and soaring costs hit the people hard.
A video featuring an Indian couple meeting briefly at a metro station in the UK has drawn attention to the realities faced by couples working opposite shifts abroad.
With Dhurandhar: The Revenge set for a March 18 release, the internet is abuzz with jokes and memes, especially about the film's nearly four-hour runtime.
A couple's decision to stage their pre-wedding photo shoot in a pond has gone viral, with the shoot's unusual setting sparking amusement online.
The President of Finland joined other global voices to suggest that India should mediate in the Iran-US-Israel war. Here's why India, a major economy with warm ties with Washington, Jerusalem, and Iran, and a heritage of non-alignment and strategic autonomy, might be the best bet to broker peace.
A Shillong school choir's lively rendition of Legends by The Score has gone viral, with students blending instruments and vocals in a classroom performance that won hearts online.
To support his argument, he also referred to the death of the former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in a US-Israeli strike on February 28. "Even the (Supreme) Leader was martyred, yet the system continued its work," he said.
Dr Pratibha Nikhar Juneja shares a heartfelt account of treating her former medical college teacher, describing the moment as both special and deeply meaningful.
The instruction from the university came as China seeks to boost birth rates, which dropped to a record low in 2025.
The Department of Homeland Security (DHS) is using posters with images of India's Taj Mahal to promise free tickets and a cash payout of $2,600 to undocumented immigrants who voluntarily deport themselves from the US. Ironically, a monument for love has been turned into one of hate for immigrants.
A viral video of a little girl insisting on getting a "Virat Kohli waala" jersey has caught Puma's attention, with the brand asking the internet to help find her and gift an official jersey.