Topic: Assam

Passenger train collides with freight train in India

At least 25 people died in a collision between two trains in India. Seventy survived. India has one of the largest railway networks in the world.

Shiite pilgrims defy bombings in Iraq to mark Arbaeen

Shiite pilgrims rely on the kindness of Shiites and even some Sunnis who set up hospitality tents along the road to the holy city of Karbala. Both pilgrims and volunteers say they won't be stopped by the risk of violence.

In India, communists ousted in 2 of 4 state elections

The elections in four Indian states were read as something of a 'midterm' referendum, highlighting mounting concerns over corruption and lagging development.

In India, even Indians can be 'foreigners'

Mumbai and other Indian cities enact labor restrictions to stem an influx of poor migrant workers.

Pakistani militants expand abroad, starting in Bangladesh

Bangladesh has arrested suspected members of Lashkar-e-Taiba. The Pakistani militant group was blamed for the 2008 Mumbai attacks -- and some fear it could target India again and provoke regional tensions.

India adds world's hottest chili pepper to its anti-terrorism arsenal

India's newest biological weapon, the world's hottest chili pepper, or bhut jolokia, is 400 times hotter than Tabasco sauce, and just a touch on the tongue burns, as our correspondent found. India’s Army plans to use the chili in tear gas.

Gender selection: In India, abortion of girls on the rise

Gender selection via abortion appears to be on the rise in India – and more common among the wealthy. India's upper classes tend to have fewer children and more access to ultrasounds that reveal their babies’ sex. The gender imbalance means fewer women available to be wives.

New India state Telangana may fuel other statehood movements

The central government in India announced Wednesday it would move to create a new state, Telangana, within the state Andhra Pradesh. Telangana is likely to serve as a precedent for other statehood movements.

Arrest of Arabinda Rajkhowa may tilt India's Assam rebels toward peace

With the arrest last week of India's Assam rebels chief Arabinda Rajkhowa, only one senior member now remains at large, raising the prospects for peace talks in India's restive northeastern state.

Iraqis celebrate US troops' pullback

Amid a huge display of national pride, some expressed concerns that violence could spike again.

World

Multiple bombings kill scores, rattling northeastern India

While no one has claimed responsibility, local authorities are pointing fingers at a separatist group.