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In Jerusalem's Old City, Lantern Maker Lights Up Ramadan

At his shop in Jerusalem's Old City, Palestinian craftsman Issam Zughair makes traditional lanterns for Muslims marking the holy month of Ramadan, battling competition from cheap Chinese imports.

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French MPs Approve Law on Speedy Notre-Dame Restoration

French lawmakers on Friday approved a controversial law for restoring Notre-Dame within five years, after the famous Paris cathedral sustained major fire damage last month. 

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Debate Rages in Egypt as Christian Women Told to Cover Up

A Coptic priest's comments about women's clothing being too revealing in churches has sparked a heated debate this week among Egyptian Christians, the largest religious minority in the Middle East.

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In Iraq, Religious Rap Meets a Chorus of Controversy

As the black-clad rapper spat lyrics into the microphone on stage, the Iraqi boys below beat their chests in mourning. He was, after all, paying homage to slain Shiite figurehead Hussein.

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South Africa Pupils Open Up to Wounds of Apartheid Past

Black-and-white pictures were projected onto the wall of a South African classroom and gospel music played evocatively in the background.

The pictures told a chilling tale: Angry protesters. Policemen beating crowds. Corpses lying scattered on the road. Coffins piled up.

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Hoda Barakat Wins Arab Booker for 'The Night Mail'

Lebanese author Hoda Barakat has won the Booker international prize for Arabic fiction for her novel "The Night Mail".

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Athens Installs Alexander the Great Statue after 27-Year Delay

Athens on Friday installed its first Alexander the Great statue, a project mired in bureaucratic delays for nearly three decades.

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Extreme Easter: Flogging, Crucifixions in Philippines

Hundreds of barefoot men beat themselves with flails and at least 10 were to be nailed onto crosses throughout Good Friday in a blood-soaked display of religious fervour in the Philippines.

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In Iraq, Tribal Traditions Rob Women, Girls of Rights

Two weeks into Mariam's forced marriage to her cousin according to Iraqi tribal custom, she desperately doused herself in fuel, flicked on a lighter and attempted suicide by self-immolation.

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$1 Billion Raised to Rebuild Paris' Notre Dame after Fire

Nearly $1 billion has already poured in from ordinary worshippers and high-powered magnates around the world to restore Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris after a massive fire.

Construction teams brought in a huge crane and a delivery of planks of wood to the site Wednesday morning.

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