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Refugees Serve up Coffee and Life Lessons in California

A coffee shop that recently opened in California is serving customers more than just steamy cups of latte or espresso, offering an additional true life lesson about an issue roiling the country -- refugees.

Founded by Rachel Taber and Doug Hewitt, 1951 Coffee Shop is entirely staffed by refugees from various countries -- including Syria, Bhutan, Afghanistan, Uganda and Eritrea -- who are trying to build a new life after escaping wars or persecution.

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Church of England Rejects Report Barring Gay Marriage

The Church of England's General Synod on Wednesday rejected a report which ruled out accepting homosexual marriage and had led to a gay rights protest outside the meeting of Anglican bishops.

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Sri Lanka War Widows Face Sexual Exploitation

Tamil women who survived Sri Lanka's civil war now face widespread sexual exploitation by officials in their own community as well as from the army, the head of an ethnic reconciliation body said Wednesday.

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Indonesia Launches Anti-Valentine's Day Condom Raids

Indonesian authorities raided convenience stores and seized condoms in a major city to stop teenagers having casual sex on Valentine's Day, an official said Tuesday, the latest crackdown on the holiday in the Muslim-majority nation.

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Aoun Urges Arab Unity to Guard Jerusalem's Diversity

President Michel Aoun urged Arab nations Tuesday to come together to protect the multi-faith character of Jerusalem, whose status is one of the thorniest issues in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.

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Alleged Murder Plot Shakes Georgian Orthodox Church

Georgia's Orthodox Church was rocked Monday after police announced the arrest of a priest over a suspected poisoning plot targeting a high-ranking Church figure. 

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Indonesian Muslim School Students Protest Valentine's Day

Indonesian Muslim school students staged a protest against Valentine's Day on Monday, denouncing what they said was a Western celebration that encourages casual sex.

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Russia Releases Drone Footage of Fresh Palmyra Destruction

Russia's military on Monday released drone footage showing more destruction of treasured monuments by the Islamic State in Syria's Palmyra since jihadists recaptured the UNESCO World Heritage Site late last year.

The black-and-white video dated February 5 shows part of the Roman amphitheatre reduced to rubble and the tetrapylon, a 16-columned structure that marked one end of the ancient city's colonnade, wiped out.

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Tennis: 'Disrespectful' Anthem Gaffe Leaves Germans Fuming

Andrea Petkovic says she has 'never felt so disrespected' after a gaffe involving the German national anthem during their Fed Cup tie against the United States.

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'Loaves' Church in Israel Reopens 20 Months after Jewish Arson

The church in northern Israel where Christians believe Jesus performed the miracle of the loaves and fishes reopened on Sunday, 20 months after an arson attack by Jewish extremists.

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