One Buddha may remain
The week's news at a glance.
Bamiyan, Afghanistan
French archaeologists said this week that they plan to begin searching for the legendary “Sleeping Buddha,” a giant statue believed to be buried between the two Buddhas the Taliban destroyed last year. A Chinese pilgrim who traveled to Bamiyan in the seventh century described the third Buddha in his journal as a 900-foot reclining figure positioned between the standing Buddhas’ feet. And local villagers say they have always been taught that a third Buddha lies underground, covered by dust and dirt from earthquakes over the centuries. But Afghan archaeologists told the Chicago Tribune that uncovering the statue could put it at risk. “When there is no opportunity for another fundamentalist regime to destroy it,” said Abdul Wasey Ferozi of the Institute of Archaeology, “only then will we allow excavation.”
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
Taking aim at Venezuela’s autocrat
Feature The Trump administration is ramping up military pressure on Nicolás Maduro. Is he a threat to the U.S.?
-
Comey indictment: Is the justice system broken?
Feature U.S. attorney Lindsey Halligan has indicted former FBI Director James Comey on charges of lying and obstructing Congress
-
Government shuts down amid partisan deadlock
Feature As Democrats and Republicans clash over health care and spending, the shutdown leaves 750,000 federal workers in limbo