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In Egypt, Ecstatic Pilgrims Start Journey to Mecca

Pilgrims have been saying their farewells at Cairo airport before leaving for Saudi Arabia to perform the hajj in the tradition, they believe, of the Prophet Mohammed and Abraham before him.

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France's Top Court Suspends Burkini Ban

France's highest administrative court on Friday suspended a controversial ban on the burkini by a French Riviera town after it was challenged by rights groups.

In a judgment expected to lead to bans being overturned in around 30 towns, the State Council ruled the measure was a "serious and clearly illegal violation of fundamental freedoms".

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Life's a Beach: Burkini Ban Demo Held in London

Brandishing beach balls, towels and inflatables, around 50 people protested against the burkini ban in France Thursday by creating a fake beach outside the country's embassy in London.

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France's Highest Court Mulls Bid to Reverse Burkini Ban

France's highest administrative court will Thursday examine a request to overturn a ban on the burkini after photographs of police surrounding a woman on a beach fueled the controversy over the Islamic swimsuit.

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Polish Dig Turns Up No Sign of Fabled 'Nazi Gold Train'

Two treasure hunters who have been digging for a Nazi gold train believed to be buried in southwest Poland said on Thursday they had given up after two weeks and zero results.

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Bogan, Ranga, Rurosexual Added to Australian Dictionary

Heading Down Under where locals are "dry as a dead dingo's donger" and beachgoers don "budgie smugglers", but unsure what this means? Fear not, the latest edition of the Australian National Dictionary offers a primer on all things 'Straya.

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Scottish Police Become Latest in Britain to Allow Hijab

Scotland's police this week became the latest force in Britain to allow the hijab as an optional part of the uniform in an effort to encourage more ethnic minority recruits.

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London's Muslim Mayor Criticizes Burkini Ban before Paris Trip

London Mayor Sadiq Khan spoke out against the banning of the Islamic burkini swimsuit in France as he headed to Paris Thursday for talks with his French counterpart.

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France Warning as Burkini Furore Heats Up

French Interior Minister Bernard Cazeneuve warned Wednesday against stigmatizing Muslims, as a furore over the banning of burkinis grew with the emergence of pictures showing police surrounding a veiled woman on a beach.

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Iran Rounds Up 450 Social Network Users

Iran has "arrested or summoned" around 450 social media users over their online activities, a website linked to the powerful Revolutionary Guards said on Tuesday.

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