Across the Middle East this week, the ancient Samaritan community celebrated Passover by sacrificing sheep, fighting raged in Yemen and Mexican-American actress Salma Hayek visited Lebanon to promote a new film.

The Samaritans descended from the ancient Israelite tribes of Menashe and Efraim, but broke away from mainstream Judaism some 2,800 years ago. Today, some 700 Samaritans live in the Palestinian city of Nablus.

Amid the week's celebrations in Nablus, mourners also wept over the death of Palestinian Mohammed Yehya, killed in clashes with Israeli troops.

In Yemen, fighting raged between forces loyal to the country's exiled president and Shiite rebels and their allies, wounding some civilians. A Saudi-led coalition continued its campaign of airstrikes.

In Pakistan, people lit candles and prayed for victims of a magnitude-7.8 earthquake in Nepal that killed more than 7,000 people. Meanwhile, heavy rains and winds reaching up 120 kph (75 mph) in the Pakistani city of Peshawar destroyed homes and buildings.

In Egypt, Al-Jazeera English journalist Mohamed Fahmy and a colleague attended yet another hearing as part of his retrial on criminal charges denounced by the broadcaster and press freedom groups. Other trials stemming from the country's July 3 military overthrow of Islamist President Mohammed Morsi also continued.

The Associated Press profiled Iranian teacher Zohreh Etezadossaltaneh, who was born without arms and now helps others facing similar challenges.

And in entertainment, Salma Hayek traveled to Lebanon to promote the animated feature film "The Prophet," which she co-produced. Her paternal grandfather was Lebanese.