Asia Pacific News Blog

Friday, September 15, 2006

Pope's comments offend Muslims worldwide

Pope Benedict stirred anger among the world's Muslims after coments made at a speech at Regensburg University earlier this week.

The Organization of the Islamic Conference (OIC), the world's largest coalition of Muslim nations, said quotations used by the Pope of 14th century Byzantine Emperor, Manuel II Palaeologus amounted to "character assassination of the Prophet Mohammed" and a "smear campaign."

Pakistani Muslims carry placards and shout slogans against remarks by Pope Benedict XVI, during a protest in Islamabad. A wave of protest from Muslims across the globe descended on the Vatican as the Islamic world denounced comments by Pope Benedict XVI linking Islam with violence.(AFP)

Pakistani Muslims carry placards and shout slogans against remarks by Pope Benedict XVI, during a protest in Islamabad. A wave of protest from Muslims across the globe descended on the Vatican as the Islamic world denounced comments by Pope Benedict XVI linking Islam with violence.(AFP)

Pakistani Muslims protest remarks by Pope Benedict XVI in Islamabad. AFP photo via Yahoo News.

The Pakistani government passed a resolution demanding the Pope withdraw his remarks.

The reaction come at a sensitive time when the Pope is palinning to visit predominantly Muslim Turkey, once the seat of the Eastern Roman empire. Some analysts believe the Pope may be forced to postpone or cancel his visit.

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

New bird species found in India

A new multicolored bird species, the first in more thna 50 years, has been found in India, a member of Mumbai's Natural History Society said Tuesday.

The brightly-colored Bugun Liocichla, was sighted in May in the remote Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh near the border with China.

Athreya, who found the bird, named it after the Bugun tribe, and the find was described by Birdlife International as "the most sensational ornithological discovery in India for more than half a century."

A Bugun Liocichla rests on the branch of a tree at Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh May 25, 2006. The striking multi-coloured Bugun Liocichla was discovered in India's remote northeast, making it the first ornithological find in the country in more than half a century, experts said on Tuesday. The Bugun Liocichla, scientifically known as Liocichla bugunorum, a kind of babbler, was discovered in May at the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in India's hilly state of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China. Picture taken May 25, 2006. REUTERS/Ramana Athreya

A Bugun Liocichla bird rests on the branch of a tree at Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in India's northeastern state of Arunachal Pradesh May 25, 2006. Scientifically known as Liocichla bugunorum, a kind of babbler, was discovered in May at the Eaglenest Wildlife Sanctuary in India's hilly state of Arunachal Pradesh, bordering China. REUTERS/Ramana Athreya via Yahoo News.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Tongan King passes away, son crowned

King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV died at 11:34 pm, Sunday at Mercy Hospital in New Zealand, said the Tongan royal website.

The king who has been in bad health for some time was 88 years old.

Tonga's King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV relaxes in the royal palace in the Tongan capital of Nuku'alofa, January 2002. The king has died aged 88, bringing to a close more than four decades of his near absolute rule in the South Pacific island nation.(AFP/File/Matangi Tonga)

Tonga's King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV at the royal palace in Nuku'alofa, Tonga on January 2002. AFP/File/Matangi Tonga via Yahoo News.

On Monday, the Prince Regent took the oath before the Privy Council and was sworn in as King Tupou V of Tonga.

Information of the funeral of the late king will be rleased on Tuesday according to the royal palace.