Hamlet's Elsinore

Our first view was just five minutes after we got off the train from Copenhagen. There it was, in all its magnificent glory, though less ominous than I had imagined…

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Homs Rules

Bashar al-Assad and his father, Hafez.On this day in 1971, Hafez Assad became president of Syria. More than 30 years later, the world is witnessing tragedy unfold in Syria at the…

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Iran's first Oscar

Perhaps I should have gone to see "The Artist" Saturday night. After all, it won the Oscar for best picture last night. But I saw "A Separation" instead.It was an…

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Journalism and courage

Today, journalists are mourning the deaths of two of their own.Marie Colvin of London'sSunday Times and French journalist Remi Olchik were killed Wednesday in thebesieged Syrian city of Homs.  …

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A new Guiness record!

Thomas Oliver and Melissa Turnerwere part of the record-setting crowd.I just read that the Tybee Island polar bear plunge on New Year’s Day officially broke a Guinness World Record."Guinness World…

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Cool hands

Christmas is not a tradition I grew up with in India.But who cannot love opening presents on a cold morning in front of a fire? Especially when the gifts include…

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Time for reflection

I went with Georgia soldiers on a tour of the ruins at Ur, near Tallil Air Base in early 2006.Spc. Jason Smith and me at Tallil. The Iraq war isofficially ended…

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Phoolpishi

Phoolpishi and Pishemashai on their 50th anniversary. I had just begin to cross the Atlantic yesterday when inCalifornia, my aunt lost her struggle with cancer.I had hoped to return from India…

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