Chinese dissident and Nobel Peace Prize laureate Liu Xiaobo has died from cancer at age 61. He was serving a jail term for trying to overthrow China's government.
The 61-year-old dissident died after more than seven years in prison. He was a prominent critic of China's government. "There is no force that can put an end to the human quest for freedom," he wrote.
China has refused to let Nobel laureate Liu Xiaobo, now near death, obtain medical treatment abroad. Beijing released dissidents in the past, but it no longer needs to cave in to foreign pressure.
The move is historic for Beijing, which has aimed to project a presence in Africa: "This base will support China's navy to go farther afield," state-run media say, "and it is of great significance."
In NPR's Elise Tries series, correspondent Elise Hu tries out different experiences in East Asia. In rapidly aging Japan, an edible innovation is helping seniors enjoy meals without fear of choking.
Ailing Nobel laureate and dissident Liu Xiaobo would prefer not to die in China. But China is more confident of itself, and less willing to send dissidents into exile abroad than it used to be.
A bus came under gunfire Monday evening in the disputed region. Indian politicians condemned the violence Tuesday, yet praised the actions of the driver who carried the rest of the pilgrims to safety.