But the plans are antagonizing many in Europe, from national governments to tiny villages.

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He's recruited Arab youths from two nearby villages to join Israel's national junior team, drawing players from the town of Al Ghajar, half of which sits in Israel, the other in Lebanon.

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According to a National Public Radio report, Aslan works closely with villages and clears unused land so as not to compete with local farmers.

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The Syrian National Council (SNC) said Hezbollah fighters attacked three villages near the Lebanese border in support of the Syrian government.

BBC: Hezbollah fighters (file photo)

Besides the crucial city of Kidal, which is now under the de facto rule of the rebel National Movement for the Liberation of the Azawad, numerous towns and villages are still not fully under the government's control, making it unclear how they will carry out the vote.

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It is performed annually on the first Saturday of October (Epic Day holiday in some villages), during weddings, birthdays, christenings and major national cultural events.

UNESCO: Intangible Cultural Heritage

Although the mobile penetration rate in rural areas was about half the national level (36%), phones were still a common sight even in the most remote villages.

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"Despite the big battle in Aleppo, we feel that Deir Ezzor is also leading the fight against the Assad regime and most of the cities and villages in the province have been liberated, " said Mohammed Sarmini, a spokesman for the opposition Syrian National Council, the anti-al-Assad political movement based in Turkey.

CNN: STORY HIGHLIGHTS