Pensions for Buddhist leaders

As tensions, self-immolations and protests increased in Tibet, China's government said it would offer pensions for Buddhist monks and nuns.

According to Xinhua (China's state-run news agency), 37 monks in the Tibetan capital of Lhasa have begun to receive a basic pension of $19 a month.

Llasa officials said that about 1,900 people past age 60 are eligible.

Protestors denounced Chinese restrictions and called for freedom to speak their own language, equality of nationalities, and an end to the intense military build-up in Tibet.