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Culture & Society News

Hamas Police Crack Down
On Beach Cafe 'Vices'

Article by Abeer Ayyoub Updated Thu, Jun 20 
Policemen are regularly intruding into beach cafes in Gaza, targeting a range of "vices" from women smoking argileh to boys and girls walking together on the beach.
(REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)
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Iran Cuts Funding to Hamas
For Cultural Programs

Article by Asmaa al-Ghoul Updated Wed, Jun 19 
Iranian funds for Gaza's cultural, education and sports scene have withered due to the fallout with Hamas over Syria.
(REUTERS/Mohammed Salem)
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Peres Birthday Bash Strikes
Wrong Chord With Some Israelis

Article by Mazal Mualem Updated Wed, Jun 19 
In the social context, while Israeli citizens struggle with economic cuts and the polarization of society, President Shimon Peres' 90th birthday celebrations seem out of line.   
(REUTERS/Jim Hollander/Pool)
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Beirut Music Festival
Cools Lebanese Tensions

Article by Hanaa al-Raheem Updated Wed, Jun 19 
On June 21, Beirut will host Fete de la Musique, a public music festival aimed at promoting local and international bands and bringing together the country’s residents.
(REUTERS/ Jamal Saidi)
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Free Expression Still Threatened
In Post-Revolutionary Tunisia

Article by Marouen Achouri Updated Wed, Jun 19 
Although the Tunisian media has never been more free, freedom of expression is still limited in some respects and citizens are being imprisoned for expressing their views.
(REUTERS/Anis Mili)
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Inside Syria's Gulag

Article by Edward Dark Updated Wed, Jun 19 
An exclusive firsthand account from a Syrian who was detained in a state prison in Aleppo.
(REUTERS/Khaled al-Hariri)
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Prominent Shiite Clerics Diverge
From Iran on 'Islamic' Punishment

Article by Ali Mamouri Updated Wed, Jun 19 
While Iran continues to enforce Islamic punishment through its legal system, many Shiite clerics remain critical of such practices.
(REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen)
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Shimon Peres, Israeli Prototype

Article by Ben Caspit Updated Wed, Jun 19 
At 90, Israeli President Shimon Peres can teach the young generation a thing or two about dreams, looking one step ahead.    
(REUTERS/Baz Ratner)
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Fewer Iranian Religious Tourists
Are Visiting Iraq's Holy Places

Article by Omar al-Shaher Updated Wed, Jun 19 
Economic and security concerns have led to a marked decrease in the number of Iranians visiting Iraq as religious tourists.
(REUTERS/Mohammed Ameen)
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Gaza Women Raise Voices Online

Article by Lena Odgaard Updated Wed, Jun 19 
Female activists in Gaza have turned to social media to air their thoughts, but on-the-ground activism is still constrained by a largely male-dominated society.
(REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa)
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