Top 10 world news: Face-off between Indian and Chinese troops along LAC; Shootings at Kabul hotel, & more

In the latest,Indian and Chinese troops clashed along theLine of Actual Control in Arunachal Pradeshlast week resulting in some jawans suffering minor injuries, the Army said on Monday. In Kabul,security forces killed three militants who raided a hotel in Kabul’s Shar-e-Naw, housing Chinese diplomats and investors on Monday, causing an explosion and gunfire.

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Indian soldiers clash with Chinese Army in Arunachal Pradesh, injuries on both sides

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A number of Indian soldiers were engaged in a clash with Chinese People’s Liberation Army (PLA)at Yangtse, Tawang in Arunachal Pradesh on December 9. Sources claimed that few Indian soldiers were injured in the altercation and as a follow-up to the incident, the Indian Commander in the area held a Flag Meeting with his counterpart to discuss the issue in accordance with structured mechanisms.

EU calls corruption charges 'very very worrisome' as Greece freezes Eva Kaili's assets

The European Union is faced with a major corruption scandal following an investigation into alleged illicit lobbying activities by Qatar. A top MEP has also been suspended from her party due to the ongoing probe that has led to four people being detained.

Belgian police searched 16 homes in and around Brussels on Friday as part of the inquiry. According to Belgian media outlet Knack, investigators are looking into whether Qatar tried to influence positions in the Parliament in ways that “go beyond classic lobbying". "Roughly €600,000 ($631,000) in cash,” cellphones and computer equipment were seized in the raids.

Kabul: Attackers killed after blast and gunfire near building housing Chinese nationals

Gunmen opened fire on Monday (December 12) near a guest house popular with Chinese business visitors in Afghanistan's capital of Kabul, an eye witness told the news agency AFP and also stated that a loud explosion was heard.

The media reports mentioned that the guest house is situated in the Shahr-e-Naw area, which is in the centre of Kabul.

The Taliban have confirmed that the attack has ended and that all threeattackers were killed. The authorities also said that at leasttwo people were injured as a result of jumping out of the window.

Japan to pay people to have babies in an attempt to boost declining birth rate

The Ministry of Health, Labor, and Welfare in Japanis hoping that the promise of some more money in the bank would encourage more people to add a kid to their family. Japan has been attempting to boost its low and decreasing birth rate for some time.

A 420,000 yen Childbirth and Childcare Lump-Sum Grant is now given to new parents in Japan following the birth of their child. Katsunobu Kato, the minister of health, labour, and welfare, wants to increase that amount to 500,000 yen. He met with the prime minister of Japan, Fumio Kishida, last week to discuss the proposal, which is anticipated to be approved and implemented for the 2023 fiscal year, which begins in the spring, as reported byJapanToday.

Fighting Covid misinformation is China's new worry amid stockpiling and panic-buying of drugs

China has been gradually easing certain coronavirus measures but the nation still continues its fight against the pandemic of misinformation related to COVID-19.

Despite the sudden spike in positive Covid cases in the past couple of weeks, Beijing loosened some of the restrictions that were part of the "zero-Covid" policy.

The stringent Covid curbs caused a massive impact on the economy, and frustrated people also protested against the regime, demanding the removal of measures.

Iran executes second protester in less than a week; rights group claims 450 killed in protests

For the second time in less than a week, the Islamic Republic of Iran has executed a man linked to the nation's anti-hijab protests.

Majid Reza Rahnavard was executed by hanging in public for "waging a war against God".

As per an agency report quoting the Iranian judiciary's news agency Mizan, Rahnavard was "sentenced to death on November 29 for killing two security guards with a knife and wounding four others".

Russia: Putin to not hold annual year-end press conference, says Kremlin

The annual press conference held by Russian President Vladimir Putin, which has been dominated by Moscow's incursion in Ukraine, will not take place this year, the Kremlin announced on Monday. Dmitry Peskov, a spokesperson for the Kremlin, said: "There won't be (a pressconference) before the New Year. Putin, he continued, "frequently speaks to the press, even on international tours."

Peskov gaveno explanation for the deviation from protocol. In the majority of the years since he came to power in 2000, Putin has conducted a press conference in December.

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