Free Republic

A Tibetan man protesting China’s occupation fatally set himself on fire outside the United Nations headquarters in Manhattan on Thursday evening, capturing the horrifying scene on livestreamed footage. The protester, identified by a friend as Lobga Rangzen, was dressed in full monastic garb when he planted a Tibetan flag on the sidewalk and then self-immolated along the busy street during the evening rush, according to the video. He scattered pieces of paper as he burned to death. Rangzen, who has lived in the US for about 20 years and worked as an Uber driver, crumbled to the ground less than...

China has reacted to the announcement from the Dalai Lama that he will be reincarnated after his death and a successor will be appointed. The Tibetan spiritual leader ended years of speculation by saying Wednesday that the next Dalai Lama should be found and recognized according to past Buddhist traditions, signaling that China should stay away from the process. However, China's foreign ministry was quick to issue a statement, saying that the Dalai Lama's reincarnation "must be approved by the central government." "The reincarnation of the Dalai Lama, the Panchen Lama and other great Buddhist figures must be chosen by...