Taiwan's Ex-President Tries to Kill Self—With a Towel

The former president of Taiwan, serving a 20-year prison sentence on corruption charges, tried to commit suicide last night—with a towel. The Justice Ministry says wardens found Chen Shui-bian in a prison bathroom in time, and "no serious abnormalities were found after a health check." No word on the truly intriguing question of "how," but Reuters reports the "why": Chen was protesting his conviction; he says the charges against him were politically motivated due to his anti-China position. Now, his "mood is gradually improving," and a psychologist will see him. (Read more Chen Shui bian stories.)