After bloody week, singer delights Iraqis with win

After enduring one of the bloodiest weeks in Iraq's sectarian conflict, Iraqis were united over the weekend in celebrating the win of an Iraqi woman in the hit pan-Arab television talent show Star Academy.

Shatha Hassoun, 26, fell on her knees on stage and wrapped the red, white and black Iraqi flag around her shoulders after learning she had garnered the biggest share of the public vote in the reality show, broadcast from Lebanon, which is the Middle Eastern equivalent of China's Super Girl contest.

The announcement came shortly before 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 her beat her three remaining classmates, from Lebanon, Tunisia and Egypt.