Briefs, October 16, 2012

Myanmar rejects Islamic office plan

NAYPYIDAW - Myanmar's president Thein Sein blocked a world Islamic body from opening an office in the country, an official said, bowing to rallies against government efforts to help minority Rohingya Muslims in restive Rakhine state. The decision came as thousands of monks held protests against the Organisation of the Islamic Conference in Yangon and Mandalay. Sectarian tensions are running high after Buddhist-Muslim clashes in June in western Rakhine left dozens of people dead. AFP
 

Pilot grounded after 'wrong airport' error

JAKARTA - A foreign pilot has been suspended from flying after landing an Indonesian passenger jet at the wrong airport in a "serious" breach of safety, a transport ministry spokesman said. The Sriwijaya Air plane, carrying 96 passengers and six crew, was meant to land at Minangkabau International airport in Padang, but instead flew to the Tabing air force base 12 kilometres away. AFP
 

Saucy novel back on South Korean shelves

PARIS - South Korea lifted its ban on the Marquis de Sade's graphic novel 120 Days of Sodom - which follows four French libertines through orgies, paedophilia and rape. The French nobleman's book - which was written in 1785, but not published until the early 1900s - hit South Korean bookshelves in August but was banned in September. AP