NYMHM: Thailand's democracy; extremists target Buddha statue

[nymhm at lists.artsandmedia.net]

NEWS YOU MIGHT HAVE MISSED * Vol. 7, No. 1

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Editor's note: Through January 9, NYMHM will be on an abbreviated  
schedule. Thank you for your readership!

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  > Thailand's New Democracy as Fractious as the Old

    Thailand returned to democracy last month, with its first
    national elections after 15 months of military rule.

    But the transition is proving to be a rocky one.

    According to Asia Times, The People Power Party, a new version
    of the party once headed by ousted Prime Minister Thaksin
    Shinawatra, won the largest number of seats -- though not ...

    GET THE WHOLE STORY:

    http://www.newsdesk.org/archives/004516.html


  > Muslim Extremists Target Historic Buddha Statue

    A huge, centuries-old Buddhist statue in northern Pakistan
    has been badly damaged after it was attacked by Muslim
    militants, Asia Times reports.

    Spurred on by a former cleric known as the Radio Mullah, who
    broadcasts from a pirate radio station in the region, militants
    detonated explosives on the statute, destroying its face.

    The 23-foot-tall, 7th century Buddha of Jehanabad is the last
    remaining of many huge statues and carvings from the ...

    GET THE WHOLE STORY:

    http://www.newsdesk.org/archives/004515.html