Germany is to shut down its last nuclear reactors next year. However, the country still has no place to store the 27,000 cubic metres of highly radioactive material it has already produced, with the amount set to grow as power stations are decommissioned and dismantled. German authorities have set a deadline of 2031 to find a permanent storage location – but for now, the waste is being stored in temporary locations, much to the anger of local residents. Our correspondents report.

On the cusp of taking the reins from Angela Merkel, incoming chancellor Olaf Scholz has sent a strong signal about where his government's foreign policy priorities lie. DW has rounded-up the most important points.

Though some countries in the EU have decriminalized cannabis, the island nation is the first to legalize recreational use and cultivation for adults. Germany and Luxembourg are expected to follow suit early next year.

New German Chancellor Olaf Scholz has given his first formal government briefing to parliament since taking office last week, touching on issues ranging from the pandemic to climate change, and even some foreign policy.

A Berlin court has convicted a Russian national of murdering an ethnic Chechen of Georgian nationality, giving the man a life sentence. The judge said prosecutors had demonstrated his ties to Russian intelligence.

German MP Karl Lauterbach: 'You must compare the damage which would have occurred to what we prevented'

Car hits German carnival parade - DW's Kate Brady reports

Nearly five million eligible voters in Hong Kong will elect just 20 of the city's 90 lawmakers; the others will be appointed by committees close to Beijing. The elections to the Legislative Council come after Beijing forced through changes to the city's electoral laws.

European diplomats have called a pause in talks on Iran's nuclear program "disappointing." EU envoy Enrique Mora has said only weeks remain to save the deal, as Iran ramps up uranium enrichment.

West African bloc ECOWAS said they hoped to have an election plan from Mali by the end of this year, after a meeting with the interim leaders. Mali's authorities had previously said elections could be delayed.

A small-town mayor is set to take on Prime Minister Viktor Orban in 2022 parliamentary elections, after winning an opposition primary. Peter Marki-Zay will represent a broad spectrum of parties who have joined forces to oust Orban and his ruling Fidesz party.

A parliamentary committee has said holding the vote would be "impossible." The country's election board has now suggested January 24 as an alternative.