A new law has come into force putting gay and lesbian couples on an equal legal footing with heterosexual couples.

POLICE stormed a hijacked Berlin city bus yesterday in a move to end a four-and-a-half hour hostage drama that began when an armed bank robber commandeered the bus.

German police commandos stormed a hijacked double-decker bus in Berlin today, ending a four-and-a-half hour hostage drama.