Man sentenced to death for killing ex-wife during live video

On Thursday, a Chinese man was given the death penalty for setting his ex-wife on fire as she was live streaming to her digital followers, concluding a murder case that gained national attention.

The victim, a 30-year-old farmer and Vlogger Lhamo lived in south eastern Sichuan province. Last September, while she was streaming a live video of herself, a man stepped in, poured gasoline on her, and put her on fire. Two weeks later, she passed away in hospital.

Tang Lu, her ex-husband, was arrested shortly after the incident. According to state-run broadcaster CCTV, he was found guilty of murder and was sentenced to death, and and also required to pay compensation.

According to CCTV, the court judged his crime "very harsh" and "deserves severe punishment."

Tang had a history of physical abuse toward Lhamo, allegedly assaulting her numerous times before their divorce in June 2020. In the months that followed, he regularly approached her and wanted to remarry, but she refused, culminating to the murder.
The case received widespread coverage in national and international media, drawing attention to the heinous nature of Lhamo's death while also increasing awareness of China's issues with women violence.
China approved a contentious rule mandating couples who want to divorce to go through a month-long "cooling off" period just months before her death, sparking concerns that it might jeopardize victims of abuse and hinder them from leaving a relationship that could be improved.

Uncontrolled Syria war: When will it stop? Why are innocent being killed?

Syrian army and the group of rebels has been in fierce battles long time from now. Latest news updates claim at leat 1100 lives of civilians in Eastern Ghouta. According to the resources, fighter planes covered the whole sky in Ghouta. There have been many chemical attacks in Syria in past 21 days of war taking the lives of hundreds of children and women. One question to be considered: What is the mistake of those who were killed? Whatever it takes, life of 1 innocent is always greater than death of 100 guilties. We also hope and pray for the soonest recovery of Syria.

Kim Jong Un wants to write new history of Korea reunification

North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has said he wants to "write a new history of national reunification" with South Korea. Mr Kim told visiting South Korean envoys it was his "firm will to vigorously advance" closer ties, the North's KCNA news agency said. The North Korean leader hosted a dinner for the delegates on Monday. It marked the first time officials from Seoul had met Mr Kim since he took office in 2011. Relations between the two Koreas have warmed following last month's Winter Olympics, which were held in Pyeongchang in the South. The 10-member South Korean delegation includes two ministerial-level envoys - intelligence chief Suh Hoon and National Security Adviser Chung Eui-yong. Mr Chung had earlier told reporters he would deliver President Moon Jae-in's "resolution to maintain the dialogue and improvement in relations between the South and the North. Following the meeting, KCNA said Kim Jong-un had "warmly welcomed" the delegates and held an "openhearted talk" with them. During the two-day visit, the South Korean group is focusing on establishing conditions for talks aimed at getting rid of the North's nuclear weapons as well as dialogue between the US and Pyongyang

Myanmar's opposition NLD says it is confident of victory in the first openly contested national election in 25 years

Myanmar's opposition National League for Democracy says it is confident of victory in the first openly contested national election in 25 years. An NLD spokesman said it expected to win about 70% of seats. Official results have been released for just 12 seats, all won by the NLD. The military-backed Union Solidarity Development Party (USDP) has been in power since 2011. The 12 seats announced so far are all in Yangon. The acting chairman of the USDP has told BBC Burmese that he has lost his own seat in the constituency of Hinthada to the NLD - seen as a key indicator of election results. A quarter of the parliamentary seats are reserved for the army, and for the NLD to have the winning majority it will need at least two-thirds of the contested seats. But Ms Suu Kyi cannot become president because the constitution bars anyone with foreign children from holding the post. Her two sons, with her late husband, are British. Tens of thousands of officials and volunteers have been counting the votes, first in each of the 50,000 polling stations, then tallying them in constituency offices of the Election Commission. The full results will not be known for at least a few days, and the president will only be chosen in February or possibly later. US Secretary of State John Kerry hailed the elections as a step towards democracy, but added that they were far from perfect. More than 6,000 candidates from more than 90 parties were vying for parliamentary seats.

Indian PM Narendra Modi admits defeat in Bihar state election; Victory goes to alliance of main opposition including Congress

The Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi has admitted defeat for his governing BJP in a key regional election in Bihar state. The BJP was running against an alliance of parties linked to main opposition Congress party in the state assembly. Mr Modi won a convincing victory in last year's national elections, but this poll was seen as a referendum on his economic programme. The prime minister had been hoping a victory in Bihar would boost his party's strength in India's upper house of parliament, which made up of representatives of state legislatures and where he lacks a majority. With votes still being counted, the anti-Modi alliance was ahead in 125 seats, compared with the BJP's 79 seats, out of 238 where the trends were clear. Bihar, in the north-west of the country, is one of India's largest states, with a population of 100 million, and is also one of the poorest.

China and Taiwan hold historic talks in Singapore after hiatus of 60 years

The leaders of China and Taiwan have held historic talks in Singapore - their first in more than 60 years. Chinese President Xi Jinping and Taiwan's President Ma Ying-jeou shook hands at the start of the talks, which were seen as largely symbolic. China views Taiwan as a breakaway province which will one day be reunited with the mainland. But many Taiwanese see it as independent and are concerned at China's growing influence. The meeting took place in neutral territory on the sidelines of a state visit by Mr Xi to Singapore. Relations between China and Taiwan have improved under Mr Ma since he took office in 2008, with better economic ties, improving tourism links, and a trade pact signed. The two sides split in 1949 when the Kuomintang lost to the Chinese Communist Party in the civil war and set up a new government in Taiwan.

France to send its largest warship to join operations against Islamic State in Syria and Iraq

France is sending its largest warship to join operations against Islamic State (IS) in Syria and Iraq. Its involvement in the campaign will shorten the time it takes for French jets to carry out air strikes. France has been targeting IS in Iraq as part of the US-led coalition since September 2014. In September this year French forces began air strikes in Syria. The Charles de Gaulle aircraft carrier has already been deployed against IS. The ship - France's only such vessel - was used as a base for French jets in the Gulf from February to April. France is currently using six Mirage jets stationed in Jordan and six Rafale jets in the United Arab Emirates to target IS. The aircraft carrier can hold up to 40 aircraft and support 100 flights a day. French officials have described the air strikes on IS as self defence, after Islamist gunmen killed 17 people in twin attacks in Paris at the start of the year. Since that time, French fighter jets have carried out 271 strikes in 1,285 aerial missions across Iraq.

Factory collapse in Pakistan leaves at least 20 people dead; Rescue operation under way

A major rescue operation is under way to save dozens of people thought to be trapped under rubble after a factory collapsed in Lahore, Pakistan. At least 20 people died when the plastic bag factory, which was under construction, collapsed on Wednesday. The cause of the collapse is still unknown. Building safety levels are often below standard in Pakistan. There are reports that the earthquake which hit Pakistan two weeks ago, or faulty construction work, may have contributed to the collapse. Two floors of the factory, in the Sundar Industrial Estate on the outskirts of the city, were operational, while a third was being built. Cranes and bulldozers are being used and the army is assisting in the rescue efforts. About 200 labourers are thought to have been in the building at the time of the incident. Other estimates in the Pakistani media have put the figure closer to 150 people.