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India snake charmers have identity crisis
A few lucky ones got their cobras and other serpents ID-chipped before the deadline. Others will have to lie low, which won't be hard because their profession is as endangered as some of their snakes.

Pali Nath has a high-tech advantage in performing an ancient ritual. The snake charmer's cobra is computer chipped and ready to dance. Well, almost. It's winter in northern India, and the beast isn't terribly energetic.
Gun culture spreads in India
Indians own about 40 million guns, second only to the U.S. Rising incomes, along with crime and fear of terrorist attacks, have fueled firearms purchases.

Vikramjit Singh stands in the parking lot of a posh club in Chandigarh discussing one of his favorite subjects: guns. He owns 10 or so; he can't remember exactly. They may come in handy if the old family feud resurfaces.
NATO speedup of transfer to Afghan forces highlights problems
As allied commanders call Afghan forces capable of taking over most fighting by the end of 2013, the problems of the police and army come into sharper focus.

At the gate of the capital's army recruitment headquarters, a young Afghan sergeant in crisp camouflage and a jaunty beret demanded a letter of introduction from arriving visitors. But when one was produced, written in Dari, the dominant language in Kabul, he asked one of the visitors to read it to him.

Editor's Choice

Koran Burning in NATO Error Incites Afghans For 2nd Day
Afghan protesters threw rocks near an American military base in Kabul on Wednesday.
Kevin Rudd, Australia’s Foreign Minister, Resigns
Kevin Rudd at a parliamentary dinner last November.
Fury in Pakistan After U.S. Congressman Suggests That a Province Leave
Representative Dana Rohrabacher, Republican of California, put forth the resolution.

Hot Debates

Several reported killed in second day of Afghan protests over Koran burning

KABUL — A second day of violent, anti-American protests spread across Afghanistan on Wednesday, as demonstrators seethed over the burning of Korans at a NATO air base, and Afghan politicians demanded harsh punishment for the offenders.
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India plays down evidence of Iran link to bomb attack on Israelis

NEW DELHI — The Indian government appears to be playing down evidence of Iranian involvement in last week’s bomb attack on an Israeli diplomat here, perhaps out of concern that any such evidence might put it under more international pressure to isolate Tehran, experts say.
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Afghans protest burning of Korans at U.S. base

BAGRAM, Afghanistan — As thousands of angry Afghans flung rocks at NATO’s largest military base in Afghanistan on Tuesday, American officials sought to quell a widening furor over what they said was the accidental incineration by U.S. military personnel of copies of the Islamic holy book.
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Most Emailed

Aghan, Taliban peace talks may have Pakistan backing
KABUL - Talks between Afghan officials and Taliban are underway in Pakistan, a top member of a peace council has said in an indication that Islamabad government is backing the peace move.
Anger in Afghanistan over Koran "burning"
KABUL - Hundreds of angry demonstrators gathered outside the Bagram airbase in Afghanistan Tuesday to protest the alleged burning of the Koran, the Muslim holy book, by soldiers at the base. The US co
Burma 'seriously considering' allowing ASEAN observers to monitor elections
Burma is 'seriously considering' a proposal to allow observers from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) to monitor its upcoming by-elections.

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