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Germany to legalise cannabis: what are the new rules?
Germany will partially legalise cannabis from Monday, implementing a flagship pledge of Chancellor Olaf Scholz's coalition government.
Grassroots revolution: the road to legal cannabis
Germany is set to join the global cannabis revolution on Monday, with a law coming into effect legalising recreational use of the drug.
Restored Versailles Sun God adds gilt to Olympic equestrianism
The Chateau of Versailles will provide one of the most elegant Olympic backdrops when the equestrian competitions canter through its famous park, but with less than four months to go to the Paris Games, it is a muddy building site.
French court jails 'Tinder rapist' photographer for 18 years
A French court on Friday jailed a man for 18 years for raping and sexually assaulting several women he had lured on dating apps and social media to take their picture.
Pope Francis pulls out of Easter event at last minute
Pope Francis pulled out of a key Easter ceremony at the last minute on Friday, reigniting concerns about the 87-year-old's increasingly frail health.
'Daunting task' - Cranes arrive to clear Baltimore bridge debris
Three heavy lift floating cranes arrived in Baltimore harbor on Friday to begin what Maryland's governor described as a "remarkably complex operation" to clear crumpled girders from a collapsed bridge taken down by an errant container ship.
Pilgrims stay away from Jerusalem on 'tense' Good Friday
The war in Gaza hung heavy over Good Friday in Jerusalem with fewer Christian pilgrims walking the path through the walled Old City that they believe Christ took to his crucifixion.
US outlet Radio Free Asia closes Hong Kong office over security law fears
The US news outlet Radio Free Asia (RFA) said Friday that it had closed its office in Hong Kong over staff safety concerns after the city enacted a new national security law.
Polish president vetoes move to restore access to emergency contraception
Poland's conservative President Andrzej Duda on Friday vetoed a proposal by the pro-EU ruling coalition to restore prescription-free emergency contraception, which was reversed by the previous nationalist government.
Rain in Spain puts dampener on Good Friday parades
Torrential rains forced the cancellation of famed Good Friday religious processions through Seville, leaving many faithful in tears in the southern Spanish city.
Philippines observes Good Friday with crucifixions and whippings
Catholic zealots in the Philippines re-enacting the last moments of Jesus Christ were nailed to wooden crosses while others whipped themselves bloody in extreme displays of religious devotion on Good Friday.
Bangladesh opens mosque for transgender hijra community
Kicked out of other prayer services, members of Bangladesh's transgender hijra community have been welcomed at a new mosque in the Muslim-majority nation with the promise of worship without discrimination.
Ecuador prison riot leaves three dead, six injured
At least three prisoners were killed and six injured in an overnight revolt in an Ecuador prison, from which one of the country's most feared gang leaders escaped in January, authorities said Thursday.
Ecuador prison riot leaves two dead, four injured
At least two prisoners were killed and four injured in an overnight revolt in an Ecuador prison, from which one of the country's most feared gang leaders escaped in January, authorities said Thursday.
Ecuador prison riot leaves one dead, four injured
At least one person was killed and four injured in an overnight prison revolt in Ecuador's port city of Guayaquil, at the same facility from which one of the country's most feared gang leaders escaped in January, the government said Thursday.
New York City congestion toll OK'd for part of Manhattan
Traveling in New York is already costly, but it just got worse: transit authorities have approved a controversial $15 toll, set to take effect in mid-June, for motorists entering the busiest part of Manhattan.
Sweden says worker negligence behind motorway landslide
Swedish authorities said Thursday that worker negligence at a construction site was believed to be behind a landslide that tore apart a motorway in western Sweden in September.
Ex-Gucci star Michele named Valentino creative director
Italian luxury fashion brand Valentino on Thursday named Alessandro Michele, the former high-flier at Gucci, as its new creative director.
Former China coach Li Tie pleads guilty to taking over $10 million in bribes
Former China football coach and ex-Everton midfielder Li Tie pleaded guilty on Thursday to accepting over $10 million in bribes, a court said, part of a broader crackdown on corruption in Chinese football.
China's competitive car market at heart of global EV revolution
China is the biggest electric vehicle market in the world, a battle royale featuring both established carmakers as well as upstarts such as Xiaomi, which launched its first EV on Thursday.
French parliament backs bill against hair discrimination affecting black women
France's lower house of parliament on Thursday approved a bill forbidding workplace discrimination based on hair texture, which the draft law's backers say targets mostly black women wearing their hair naturally.
French film grooming claims puts focus on child coaches
Allegations of child grooming on French film sets has put the spotlight on the importance of coaches to protect young actors.
Former China coach Li Tie goes on trial over bribery allegations
Former China coach and ex-Everton midfielder Li Tie went on trial Friday on allegations of bribery, state media said, part of a broader crackdown on corruption in football in the country.
Crypto fraudster Bankman-Fried faces sentencing
Disgraced cryptocurrency wunderkind Sam Bankman-Fried is set to be sentenced Thursday following his conviction in one of the biggest financial fraud cases in history.
George Washington University faces $10mn disinformation lawsuit
A leading American university was sued Wednesday over a disinformation campaign allegedly financed by the United Arab Emirates, accused of seeding false narratives that linked academics to a radical group in the Middle East.
Two bodies found as Baltimore bridge collapse moves from recovery to salvage
The bodies of two construction workers were found in the cold waters of Baltimore harbor Wednesday, trapped in their red pick-up truck after a giant cargo ship slammed into the bridge they had been filling potholes on, causing a thunderous collapse.
Disney settles Florida dispute after 'Don't Say Gay' bill backlash
Disney reached a settlement with Florida tourism authorities Wednesday after a row over its pushback against Governor Ron DeSantis's so-called "Don't Say Gay" bill, which aimed to outlaw teachings of certain LGBTQ issues in schools.
Four killed in German motorway bus accident
Four people were killed and around 35 injured when a bus overturned on a German motorway near Leipzig on Wednesday, police said.
What is the economic impact of the Baltimore bridge collapse?
Diverted cargo and supply chain disruptions -- businesses are rushing to avoid an economic hit following the collapse of a major bridge in Baltimore as a cargo ship slammed into it this week.
Spain prosecutors want Rubiales jailed for 2.5 years for World Cup kiss
Spanish prosecutors are seeking two-and-a-half years jail for disgraced ex-football chief Luis Rubiales who is facing trial for kissing Spain midfielder Jenni Hermoso on the lips against her will, court documents showed Wednesday.
Olympic flame to burn near Louvre during Paris Games: source
The Olympic flame is set to burn in the Tuileries Garden in front of the Louvre museum for the duration of the Paris Games in July and August, a source involved in the discussions told AFP.
Six presumed dead after ship destroys major US bridge
Authorities on Tuesday suspended their search for six people missing after a packed cargo ship slammed into a Baltimore bridge, causing it to collapse and blocking one of the busiest US commercial harbors.