Israel’s amputee football team trains in Ramat Gan near Tel Aviv. Star player Ben Binyamin was left for dead by Hamas militants when they stormed into Israel on October 7. Six months later, he is the rock at the heart of the defence for the Israeli squad, dreaming of lifting the Euro 2024 cup in France in June.
Beijing (AFP) – France’s top diplomat Stephane Sejourne says that Paris wants China to send “clear messages” to its strategic ally Russia over its war in Ukraine, after meetings with his counterpart in Beijing.
Paris (AFP) – A fourth colour of chocolate, ‘blonde’, with a highly caramelised taste and whose creation is attributed to the French pastry chef-chocolatier Frederic Bau, is spreading among confectioners. But the chocolate still hasn’t been officially recognised as the fourth type.
Berlin (AFP) – A graffiti by Berlin-based artist Eme Freethinker depicting a chimpanzee handing a joint to German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has appeared on a wall in Berlin after the country became the largest EU nation to legalise cannabis recreational use. Under the first step in the much-debated new law, adults over 18 are now allowed to carry 25 grams of dried cannabis and cultivate up to three marijuana plants at home.
Taipei (AFP) – On Taipei’s metro, pets usually have to travel in strollers, but on March 31st they were allowed to roam around and stretch their paws, as many pet owners hope to “improve” the town’s policy on pet-friendly rides.
Ouro Preto (Brazil) (AFP) – Hundreds march on the colorful carpeted streets of Ouro Preto, Brazil, for the city’s traditional Easter parade. Easter Sunday commemorates the day Christians believe Jesus Christ was resurrected after being crucified on Good Friday by the Romans.
Chinon (France) (AFP) – The Vienne river has begun to recede in Chinon, west-central France, but the region remains on high flood alert. Over 500 of the region’s residents were asked to evacuate, as one remains missing after heavy rain caused the rivers to overflow.
Versailles (France) (AFP) – With four months to go before the Olympic Games, the Fountain of Apollo in the Chateau de Versailles — a gilded lead statue-fountain inspired by the legend of the sun god — is back in use after two years of extensive restoration work. The Palace of Versailles is due to host the equestrian events at the Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games this summer.
Istanbul (AFP) – Opposition supporters took to the streets of Istanbul as Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conceded defeat on Sunday in the country’s local elections, saying the vote was a “turning point” for his party after two decades in power.
Berlin (AFP) – Several hundred cannabis enthusiasts gathered at midnight under the Brandenburg Gate to smoke marijuana in public as the new law legalising its recreational use comes into effect on April 1.
