Gas prices for the United Kingdom and the European Union increase by 17% after the German energy regulator suspends the approval of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline from Russia to Germany. The regulator says that the pipeline needs to comply with German law before they can certify the €10 billion project. (BBC News)
Russia authorizes Pfizer to conduct clinical trials for its experimental COVID-19 drug named Paxlovid, which will continue until March 2023. (The Hill)
A peer-reviewed study published in the Annals of Internal Medicine announces that an Argentinian woman has allegedly been "functionally cured" of HIV by her own immune system. If confirmed, the woman would be only the second individual in history whose own immune system successfully destroyed the disease without any form of stem-cell transplantation. (USA Today)
Researchers at the American cybersecurity firm Mandiant report that the Belarusian government has ties to the hacker group Ghostwriter, which was accused of targeting various German politicians and ministries in September and has since been accused of launching misinformation campaigns against Poland, Lithuania, Latvia, and Ukraine. (RFE/RL)
According to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, nearly 1,000 hate crimes against Europe’s Christians were recorded in 2020. The organization documented 980 incidents against Christians, including arson attacks on Catholic churches, desecration and robbery of Eucharistic hosts, assaults on priests, and anti-Catholic graffiti on Church property by abortion activists. (Catholic News Agency)
Princess Charlene of Monaco cancels all upcoming activities, including those of Monaco's national celebrations, due to ill health, according to a statement from the royal palace. The Princess is said to be suffering from "deep fatigue". (Reuters)