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.
Ankara (AFP) – Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan conceded defeat on Sunday in the country’s local elections, deeming the vote a “turning point” for his party after two decades in power.
Morelia (Mexico) (AFP) – Forensics and security forces work at the scene after a mayor was shot dead in Mexico, the latest politically related killing in the country plagued by violence and organized crime. Guillermo Torres, 39, and his 14-year-old son were attacked at a restaurant in Morelia, the capital of western Michoacan state, the prosecutor’s office said in a statement. His son survived. IMAGES
Sintra (Portugal) (AFP) – Every year on Good Friday, hundreds of Portuguese gather on Magoito beach in the Sintra region to collect mussels in an effort to respect the Christian custom of not eating meat on the Easter holiday.
Washington (AFP) – Kites take to the sky in the annual Blossom Kite Festival on the National Mall in Washington, DC. The event is part of the festivities of the nearly month-long National Cherry Blossom Festival, honouring the relationship between the United States and Japan.
Vatican City (AFP) – Pope Francis presides over Easter Mass in St Peter’s Square, ahead of his “Urbi et Orbi” blessing, amid concerns about the 87-year-old pontiff’s patchy health.
Pantin (France) (AFP) – At a time when the Paris 2024 Olympic Games are set to usher in a new era for open water swimming in the Seine, a group of intrepid swimmers known as “Ourcq Polaires” meet up every week in the Ourcq canal, defying the 1923 swimming ban, to enjoy the benefits of cold water swimming and rediscover a “natural” environment.
La Roche-Posay (France) (AFP) – Heavy rain and overflowing rivers flood parts of western France, causing at least one disappearance and the mobilisation of more than 500 firefighters. In La Roche-Posay, western France, the river Creuse is expected to rise close to the all-time 1896 record of 7m3.
