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| Version 1 | Version 2 |
|---|---|
| Iraq unites over talent show star | Iraq unites over talent show star |
| (about 12 hours later) | |
| An Iraqi singer has paid tribute to her country after winning a popular pan-Arab TV talent show. | An Iraqi singer has paid tribute to her country after winning a popular pan-Arab TV talent show. |
| Shada Hassoun, 25, thanked Iraqis and wrapped the country's flag around her body when the result of Star Academy Middle East was announced. | Shada Hassoun, 25, thanked Iraqis and wrapped the country's flag around her body when the result of Star Academy Middle East was announced. |
| Although she lives in Morocco, Hassoun's progress has been avidly followed in Iraq and her victory was greeted by gunfire in Baghdad. | |
| She beat contestants from Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt. | She beat contestants from Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt. |
| Power cut | Power cut |
| In an emotional interview with Iraq's al-Sharqiya television station shortly after her win, Hassoun said: "I thank Baghdad and I thank Iraq." | In an emotional interview with Iraq's al-Sharqiya television station shortly after her win, Hassoun said: "I thank Baghdad and I thank Iraq." |
| Hassoun, the daughter of a Moroccan mother and an Iraqi father, has been backed by both Sunni and Shia communities and gave many Iraqis an opportunity to forget their own troubles. | Hassoun, the daughter of a Moroccan mother and an Iraqi father, has been backed by both Sunni and Shia communities and gave many Iraqis an opportunity to forget their own troubles. |
| The announcement from Lebanon, where the final was staged, came just after midnight in Iraq. | The announcement from Lebanon, where the final was staged, came just after midnight in Iraq. |
| In Baghdad, a power cut meant many who had been following Hassoun's fortunes over the past four months were unable to see the moment of victory. | In Baghdad, a power cut meant many who had been following Hassoun's fortunes over the past four months were unable to see the moment of victory. |
| But those with generators spread the news which was greeted with cheering and celebratory gunfire. | But those with generators spread the news which was greeted with cheering and celebratory gunfire. |
| Star Academy Middle East is the Arab version of the French show Star Academy produced by Dutch company Endemol, which also makes Big Brother in the UK. | Star Academy Middle East is the Arab version of the French show Star Academy produced by Dutch company Endemol, which also makes Big Brother in the UK. |