Berlin

Rola El-Halabi of Germany was shot in the hand, knee and feet by the gunman, who was once her manager, before a bout with Irma Balijagic Adler of Bosnia for the vacant IBF lightweight title in Berlin.

A Berlin court said Hicham El-H. as he was identified in line with German privacy laws, deliberately shot the boxer on April 1 to "prevent her from continuing her boxing career."

Two security guards were also shot. The court said he also assaulted Rola El-Halabi's current fiance in Dec. 2010.

BERLIN -- German police say an "old hippy" is facing possible prosecution for his version of the, ahem, highest Christmas tree -- a festively decorated two-meter- (two-yard-) tall marijuana plant.

Koblenz police spokesman Ralf Schomisch says officers raided the apartment of the 58-year-old man following a tip Monday and uncovered a cache of 5.3 ounces (150 grams) of marijuana.

Then in the living room they discovered the tree -- a pot plant adorned with Christmas lights. The suspect, whose name was not released, said he had planned to decorate it further and putting presents under it at Christmas.

But it was not to be. Schomisch said Thursday that authorities "had to destroy this pre-Christmas dream" and seize the plant as evidence.

BERLIN -- Rescue forces using a ship, a plane and a helicopter freed a German cargo vessel being held by Somali pirates off eastern Africa on Monday, but the hijackers got away, officials said.