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Colombia Puts Out Banknote Featuring Writer Garcia Marquez

Colombia started circulating a new 50,000-peso banknote on Friday bearing the likeness of late Nobel-winning author Gabriel Garcia Marquez.

The light purple piece of money, worth the equivalent of $17.40, "pays honor to a person who carried Colombia's name far and wide from the middle of the last century," the head of the country's central bank, Jose Dario Uribe, said.

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Tiny Spanish Publisher Clones World's Most Mysterious Book

It's one of the world's most mysterious books, a centuries-old manuscript written in an unknown or coded language that no one -- not even the best cryptographers -- has cracked.

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German Interior Minister Calls for Partial Burqa Ban

Germany's interior minister on Friday proposed partially banning the full-face burqa Islamic veil, as a debate on integration rages after two jihadist attacks and ahead of key state elections.

The call by Thomas de Maiziere comes as Chancellor Angela Merkel's government attempts to address public fears surrounding last year's record influx of nearly 1.1 million migrants and refugees, most from predominantly Muslim countries.

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'Burkini' about Inclusion not Division in Australia

Part bikini, part all-covering burqa, the burkini swimsuit has sparked huge controversy in France, but in Australia where beach culture is a national obsession, it's seen as a symbol of inclusion, says its designer Aheda Zanetti.

The light-weight, quick-drying two-piece swimsuit which covers the body and hair has been banned from French beaches by several mayors in recent weeks following deadly attacks linked to jihadists.

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Mufti Shocks Russia with Call for Genital Mutilation of All Women

A senior Muslim cleric in Russia has prompted controversy by urging universal female genital mutilation after a rights group released a report on the practice in the country's North Caucasus region.

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Argentine Judge to Probe Murder of Spanish Poet Lorca

An Argentine judge known for investigating crimes committed during Spain's civil war will probe the murder of poet Federico Garcia Lorca, a victims' association said Thursday.

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Italian Bishop Launches Crusade against Pokemon Go

An Italian bishop has threatened legal action against Pokemon Go, saying the "diabolical" game has turned its army of smartphone-wielding players into "walking dead," reports said Thursday.

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Italy Rules out Burkini Ban, Wants Home-Trained Imams

Italy will not follow France by allowing burkini bans on public beaches but is planning tighter regulation of imams and mosques, the country's interior minister said in comments published Wednesday.

Angelino Alfano told the Corriere della Sera daily that he regarded France's restrictions on Islamic clothing as counter-productive because of the potential backlash it could provoke.

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Turkey Summons Swedish Envoy over 'Scandalous' Age of Consent Tweet

Turkey said on Monday it has summoned Sweden's envoy in an escalating row after Stockholm accused Ankara of legalizing sex with children.

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Canada PM Trudeau Marches in Montreal Gay Pride Parade

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau marched with thousands of people in Montreal's annual Gay Pride parade Sunday, his third such appearance of the summer.

Large crowds along the parade route greeted the youthful politician whose popularity is soaring, as he walked through the city's downtown alongside colorful floats, dancers and musicians.

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