Nord Stream 2 expects regulators to decide by May whether its contested natural gas pipeline linking Germany to Russia will be able to operate as planned. Already suffering U.S. sanctions, the project led by Gazprom PJSC is pinning its hopes on German regulator Bundesnetzagentur to help it clear hurdles erected by European Union competition authorities. So-called unbundling rules rolled out by the trade bloc last year require the owners of gas and those who deliver it by pipeline or ship to be separate legal entities, even the fuel comes from outside the EU. Source: Bloomberg
Prosecutors are considering bringing charges against Forum voor Democratie leader Thierry Baudet for breaching coronavirus restrictions on a campaign visit. Baudet, 38, was photographed embracing supporters and shaking hands during a rally in the Flevoland village and former island of Urk on Tuesday. His campaign team later ate dinner together in a seafood restaurant. Source DutchNews
The number of babies born in France in January fell by 13 percent, the biggest drop in 45 years which statisticians on Thursday linked to the coronavirus pandemic. The 53,900 babies born in January 2021, down from 62,180 in January 2020, were conceived at the start of the first nationwide lockdown imposed by France in March 2020 to halt the spread of Covid-19. Source France24
The police were ambushed in Les Mureaux (Yvelines) this Thursday evening. About 30 people attacked them with fireworks and threw stones at them. Everything had been prepared in advance. Source Actu17
