The Central African Republic reached a peace deal with 14 armed groups following talks in February this year. The country's armed forces has now begun a recruitment exercise in order to swell its ranks.

Germany's health system has a problem: there are not enough nurses. Thousands of positions remain unfilled. That's why clinics and recruitment companies are increasingly looking for staff abroad. For the first time now also in Africa. Our correspondent Adrian Kriesch reports from Namibia.

Over the past year in France, the Yellow Vest protest movement often descended into violence, with some police officers facing criticism for what many saw as their heavy-handed response. Our France 2 colleagues Ambrine Bdida and Mathieu Hauville take us behind the scenes of the French national police training academy, where some 330 new recruits are being prepared for the unique challenges of a demanding job.

The French cabinet has approved a new bill on "strengthening republican values". Although already in the pipeline, it was given fresh impetus after the beheading of French history teacher Samuel Paty, who had shown cartoons of the Prophet Mohammed to his pupils during a lesson on free speech. The gruesome murder shows how difficult it can be to teach children about the issues of secularism and free speech, as well as the pressure parents put on teachers, and the lack of training and support from schools. Salomé Saqué, Jonathan Walsh, Karim Yahiaoui and James Vasina report.

Here are a few reasons to pick up a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday. Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.⁣⁣⁣

Portugal appealed for help after a severe rise in COVID cases overwhelmed its hospitals. Germany is one of three countries sending assistance.

Significant German military participation in new NATO project: DW's Simon Young

Find these stories and much more when you grab a copy of The Guardian on Wednesday.⁣

Defense Minister Christine Lambrecht has announced that Germany's military mission in Mali would be halted until further notice. France is withdrawing a larger force from Mali, as the junta has hired Russian mercenaries.

An agreement among German government ministers looks to put an end to Germany's military presence in Mali. It follows similar decisions by allies, after a years-long operation that has made questionable progress.

A year ago, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz promised to upgrade the Bundeswehr with a massive one-off fund. Critics say not much has happened since.

Military commissioner Eva Högl called for an additional €300 billion in funding for Germany's Bundeswehr. She said that the force needed more soldiers and that little progress had been made on the enlistment of women.