A Tibetan set himself on fire while calling for the Dalai Lama's return to Tibet, a London-based rights group said. Free Tibet said Lhamo Kyeb, a 27-year-old father of two, died on Saturday near a monastery in Gansu province. Citing a witness, it said he set himself on fire and ran towards Bhora monastery, in Xiahe county, and that state security forces standing nearby ran after him and tried to put out the flames. The witness said Lhamo Kyeb attempted to stop them from extinguishing the fire, forcing them to back away. The self-declared Tibetan government-in-exile in India urged the international community to press China "to end the deepening crisis in Tibet". AP

Four Chinese marine surveillance ships yesterday patrolled in waters off disputed islets in the East China Sea, Xinhua said. The vessels entered the waters after sheltering at an anchorage to avoid approaching typhoons, Xinhua quoted the State Oceanic Administration as saying. The report said the fleet was carrying out "normal activities to safeguard China's sovereignty". Staff Reporter