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A trio of women called "Les Cocottes Codec" or "The Darling Chicks" swept to the finish line in France's high-heeled relay race. The prizes for the winners were, perhaps unsurprisingly, gift certificates for shoes. Duration: 00:51.

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Sergiev Posad is one of the most beautiful Orthodox monasteries in the Moscow region, and also the site of a special kind of school. Every year, nearly 60 students meticulously learn to paint religious icons, retracing the same brushstrokes of masters from centuries ago. Duration: 01:50.

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An antique electric train, left over from the heyday of American power in Cuba, still snakes its way through Havana. But it's more than just a tourist ride. The nearly century-old Hershey train, named after the chocolate company that built it, takes Cuban commuters to work every day. 

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A notebook, number 2 pencils, and the newest essential school supply in Uruguay: a laptop. The South American nation is the first and only country to guarantee every elementary school student attending government schools a portable computer. If the incumbent left-wing president wins the run-off election on November 29, his government says it will expand the program to all students in the public education system.

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Gabon's President Ali Bongo met with his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy on Friday on his first trip to France since he succeeded his father, who had made Paris nearly a second home while leader of the oil-rich former French colony. Images and soundbites.

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Violence and instability shut it down temporarily, but Iraq's stamp collecting club is now back in business. And it's been good business, too, for the Iraqi Philatelic Society, whose best-selling items are pre-war stamps starring Saddam Hussein.

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Romania, struggling with a severe recession and reeling from political turmoil, is now set to face yet another challenge -- a presidential election. Both front-runners, including the incumbent Traian Basescu, are neck-and-neck in the polls, meaning a decisive outcome from Sunday's poll looks unlikely.

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Swimmers who get into difficulty off the French coast may have some rather unusual rescue workers coming to their aid. Over a dozen lifeguard teams using Newfoundland terriers are now in place, with dog-handlers training their canine partners to help lead victims safely back to shore.

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Hainan island in the South China Sea is fast becoming one of Asia's finest golfing destinations, with several world-class courses and developers rushing to build dozens more. Once dependent on foreign players, the industry is now being built on the back of a new wave of Chinese golfers.

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A nude photograph of Carla Bruni-Sarkozy taken by Michel Comte during her modelling days goes under the hammer on Friday at a Paris auction house. A similar nude shot of the wife of the French president went for 91,000 dollars -- three times more than its estimated bidding price -- in a New York sale last year. Still images.

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Football's world ruling body FIFA on Friday officially turned down a request from the Irish to stage a replay of their controversial World Cup playoff defeat to France. Henry's handball helped set up a goal which put France through to the World Cup at Ireland's expense -- prompting government-level exchanges.  Duration: 1:30

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European leaders have chosen a low-profile pair to lead a revamped EU, prompting widespread criticism that national leaders deliberately undercut the positions in order to preserve their own influence. The pick of Belgium's premier, Herman Van Rompuy, as president and EU Commissioner Catherine Ashton, a Briton with little foreign policy experience, as the top diplomat, came at a summit of the 27 EU heads of state and government.  Duration: 02:21

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After a controversial election, Afghan President Hamid Karzai was sworn in for a second term on Thursday. But with public confidence at an all time low and the US ramping up pressure to rid the country of its corruption, many Afghans are concerned about the future. Duration: 02:15

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The US, which depends on coal for more than half of it’s electricity use, is looking to so-called « clean coal technologies » to lower coal’s carbon footprint. But environmentalists and people living in the areas where coal is mined say that the fuel’s ecological and environmental impacts are devastating and inevitable. Duration: 02:07

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A spa outside Tokyo celebrates the arrival of Beaujolais Nouveau wine by pouring red wine into outdoor pools and inviting the adventurous in for an invigorating bath. Duration: 01:56.

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Since Romania joined the European Union in 2007, an estimated 10 percent of its people have left, seeking better fortunes elsewhere in the 27-nation bloc. Some regions have been abandoned by the able-bodied, leaving the elderly and children behind. Duration: 02:04.

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Afghan President Hamid Karzai was sworn in for a second term, vowing to combat corruption, bring security and reach out to his political rivals under Western pressure to restore legitimacy. Duration: 01:22.

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Following a controversial win which saw France thrust into the 2010 World Cup finals and Ireland shunted to the sidelines, fans in Paris had little but praise for their team. Duration: 00:54.

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A handful of the thousands of terra cotta warriors sculpted to protect the tomb of China’s first Emperor, Qin Shihuangdi, touched down in Washington at the National Geographic Society after a tour of three other US cities. Duration: 01:06.

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Mexican guitarists Rodrigo y Gabriela used to play heavy metal, but one day chucked the electric sound for nylon-strung guitars, settled in Europe and have never looked back. The duo's acoustic cover versions of Led Zeppelin or Metallica hits, played with Latin bravado, have earned them a worldwide following. Duration: 02:21

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Hundreds of football fans took to the streets of Paris and Marseille on Wednesday night after Algeria beat Egypt 1-0, qualifying the team for the 2010 World Cup finals in South Africa. Fans were seen waving Algerian flags and cheering in both French cities. Duration : 00:30

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A superb Antar Yahia goal gave Algeria a 1-0 victory over Egypt Wednesday and a place at the 2010 World Cup in South Africa. The France-born defender who plays for German club VfL Bochum struck on 40 minutes to settle a play-off necessitated by the bitter North African rivals finishing level on points and goal difference in one of five African groups. In Cairo, football fans expressed their bitter disappointment.

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On Canusa Avenue, houses on one side of the street are in the USA, but on the other side they are in Canada. It’s a spot favored by illegal immigrants, and authorities are taking notice. The US is planning to build a wall on the street, and they've already installed a customs post. 

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If you think anyone can pick up an accordion and flute and busk in the metro, then think again. The RATP, the organisation behind the Parisian underground, has set up a proper audition system since 1997, giving a green light to a lucky few to perform in its corridors. When one artist auditioned for a new metro musicians' try-out, AFPTV went along for a listen.

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US President Barack Obama wrapped up his first trip to China on Wednesday by meeting Premier Wen Jiabao, who said the two nations were better off as partners not rivals, and visiting the Great Wall. Duration:00:52

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If you're anywhere near a teenage girl, you can't fail to be aware of the Twilight film sequel which gets its European premiere tonight, ahead of the US opening on Friday. The film continues the story of Bella Swan and her relationship with a 105-year-old vampire, played by teen idol Robert Pattinson. Duration: 01:08

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Carla Bruni, wife of French President Nicolas Sarkozy, is visiting Qatar as part of efforts to persuade the emirate to set up branches of major French universities and research bodies. Following her arrival on Tuesday, the singer and former model attended a gala dinner for an education conference patronised by the wife of Qatar's emir, Sheikha Mozah bint Nasser al-Missned. Duration: 00:25

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Jean-Gabriel Chelala is a man on a mission -- to vet all the way around the world without any extraneous carbon emission. That means using only his own body power -- by sea as well as land. He's already cycled across North America and crossed the Atlantic by kayak, and now he's facing the final stretch from Moscow to Paris. Duration: 01:46

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An experimental reactor that could harness nuclear fusion has yet to see the light of day, but preparations for the daring multi-billion-dollar project are well under way. The International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor (ITER), backed by the European Union, the United States, China, India, Japan, South Korea and Russia, is expected to be fully operational in 2026. It is no less than an effort to reproduce the energy-yielded processes of the Sun and other stars -- which defenders say would be safe and c

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After savouring their fresh victory against Algeria, Egypt fans are looking ahead to the make-or-break World Cup qualification play-off taking place in Sudan on Wednesday.

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Tokyo has overtaken Paris as the city with the most Michelin three-star restaurants, the publisher of the renowned culinary guide announced Tuesday. Duration: 01:36

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On Wednesday the Queen presents the British government's law-making plans for the coming year at the formal opening of parliament. Gordon Brown's Labour party wants to tighten the rules that govern the financial system but critics say there's not enough time for any new bills to come into force before the next general election. Duration: 01:54

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After savouring their fresh victory against Algeria, Egypt's national football team are looking for a decisive win in the World Cup qualifier taking place in Sudan on Wednesday. Footage of Egypt team praticing in Khartoum. Duration: 00:57

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Vladimir Nabokov wanted it burned on his death, but "The Original of Laura" survived and now, 32 years later, the unfinished novel is published for the first time. Despite Nabokov's dying wish, publication of the manuscript will provide what many hope will be an unexpected glimpse of his genius. Duration: 01:13

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More items belonging to the late fashion designer Yves Saint Laurent and his partner Pierre Berge go under the hammer on Tuesday. The auction, being held in a Paris theatre, runs through Friday.

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Wanted: new residences for homeless big cats! Wildlife rescuers at one centre in South Africa are trying to rehome six wild caracals, a species halfway between a lion and a domestic cat. Duration: 01:58

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Over 50 artworks from the collection of the Solomon R. Guggenheim Museum in New York are being shown off in Abu Dhabi ahead of the opening of the emirate's own Guggenheim museum in 2013. Duration: 01:18

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The Islamists of Hamas have imposed their socially conservative rule on the Gaza Strip since taking over in June 2007. But not everyone practices in private what is publicly preached. Since no alcohol is for sale in stores, some Gazans now brew their own at home -- at great personal risk. Duration: 01:45

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Nicknamed "spiders" for their gravity-defying skills in web-like constructions, Hong Kong's bamboo scaffolders have risen above predictions that their trade would disappear. They remain a common sight high above the streets of the city, scaling the sides of towering, ultra-modern steel and glass buildings on traditional bamboo poles linked through ancient design concepts. Duration: 02:14