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Germany no longer depends on Russian imports for its energy supply, the country's finance minister has told the BBC. Christian Lindner said Germany had completely diversified its energy infrastructure since Russia's invasion of Ukraine last year. Following the invasion, Russia turned off the gas taps to Europe, leading to fears of blackouts this winter. But Germany had found new sources of energy, Mr Lindner said. "Yes, of course Germany is still dependent on energy imports, but today, not from Russian imports but from global markets," he said. Germany previously imported around half of its gas from Russia and more than a third of its oil.

The new year is only three weeks old but already the FTSE 100, the best-known UK stock index, is already up by just under 5.5%. That is better than the 0.9% growth it eked out for the whole of 2022. And it seems possible that, at some point in coming sessions, the Footsie will challenge the intra-day record high of 7,903.5 that it hit on 22 May 2018. The Footsie is not alone in having made an encouraging start to the year.

Moderna Inc. announced on Tuesday that a late-stage trial found that its experimental messenger RNA vaccine for respiratory syncytial virus was 83.7% effective in preventing at least two symptoms in adults ages 60 and older. RSV produces symptoms similar to a cold and can lead to death for young children and older adults. It results in about 14,000 deaths per year in adults who are at least 65-years-old. RSV, the flu and coronavirus all soared in the U.S. and Europe this fall. There is no vaccine for adults currently on the market, but Moderna, Pfizer Inc. and GSK Plc. are each looking to be the first to release their RSV vaccines.

Macau gambling kingpin Alvin Chau has been sentenced to 18 years in jail for more than 100 charges including organised crime and illegal gaming. The 48-year-old was found guilty in a case that centred on illegal bets exceeding HK$823.7bn (£85.7bn; $105bn). Chau, a high-profile and colourful figure in the local casino industry, had denied the charges. Macau, a former Portuguese colony, is the only Chinese city where gambling is legal. Chau was the chairman and founder of Suncity Group. It was Macau's biggest operator of junkets, or organised trips for wealthy gamblers to casinos.

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Eighteen people have been killed, including Ukraine's interior affairs minister, after a helicopter crashed beside a nursery in an eastern suburb of the capital Kyiv. Three children were among the dead and 15 more are being treated in hospital. The minister, Denys Monastyrsky, was with eight others in the helicopter. His first deputy minister and the state secretary also died, officials said, when the helicopter came down in the suburb of Brovary. The 42-year-old interior minister was a prominent member of President Volodymy Zelensky's cabinet and played a key role in updating the public on casualties caused by Russian missile strikes since Ukraine was invaded in February 2022.

The Royal Mint has unveiled its first bullion coin to bear the portrait of King Charles. The King’s effigy on the 2023 bullion Britannia coin marks the start of a new chapter for bullion coins, the Mint said. Struck in fine gold and enhanced with security features, Britannia coins can be purchased from the Royal Mint’s website.

Jeremy Renner's recovery will take YEARS and his condition is 'much worse than anyone knows' after he was crushed by 14,000-pound snow plow, friends claim Jeremy Renner was helping a stranded family member whose car broke down near his Lake Tahoe mansion when a 14,330-pound snowplow ran over him Renner's representatives stated he had suffered blunt chest trauma and orthopedic injuries and was in critical but stable condition after surgery Sources now claim that Renner's injuries are severe and that he 'nearly bled out' and 'almost died' while waiting for help to arrive Renner is reportedly aware of the extent of his injuries and has a long road to recovery ahead of him - possibly as long as two years

Jeremy Clarkson’s The Grand Tour 'cancelled' as Amazon cut ties after Meghan Markle rant Jeremy Clarkson's shows with streaming platform Amazon have reportedly been axed, amid the former Top Gear presenter finally issuing an apology to Meghan Markle and her husband Prince Harry