CHINESE President Hu Jintao presided over the re-lighting of the Olympic torch yesterday in the host city, signalling the start of an around-the-world torch relay that already has become a magnet for protesters.

Chinese state media today accused the Dalai Lama of slamming the door on talks over Tibet’s future, an apparent response to rising international calls for Beijing to negotiate with Tibet’s exiled Buddhist leader.

Four Tibetan teenagers have been in custody for over a month on suspicion of scribbling graffiti calling for independence and the return of the Dalai Lama, a human rights group said today.

Actor Richard Gere is calling for a boycott of the 2008 Beijing Olympic, to put pressure on China to give Tibet independence.

CHINESE police arrested hundreds of people in western China after residents there called for the return of exiled Tibetan spiritual leader the Dalai Lama, reports said yesterday.

Scores of people have been arrested in a traditionally Tibetan area of China following calls for the return of Tibet’s exiled spiritual leader, the Dalai Lama, reports said today.

The Dalai Lama began a visit to Germany today to present an award to prominent supporters of the Tibetan people and meet with German politicians.