BREAKING NEWS

New Zealand approves euthanasia, set to reject recreational marijuana

New Zealand has voted to legalize euthanasia but is on course to reject recreational marijuana use, the country's Electoral Commission said on Friday.

New Zealand voted on the referendums this month while casting ballots during a general election that returned Prime Minister Jacinda Ardern to power.

Issuing preliminary results, the commission said there are nearly half a million votes still to be counted. These votes will not be enough to alter the vote on euthanasia but may be enough to swing the count on recreational marijuana, it said.