Europe – Page 11 – Prologue Journal

Costas Simitis, 2-Time Prime Minister of Greece, Dies at 88

New York Times Mr. Simitis imposed financial measures to prepare for Greece’s entry into the eurozone and laid the groundwork for the Olympic Games’ return to Athens. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/world/europe/costas-simitis-dead.html

A Gas Cutoff Sends Shivers Through a Russian-Backed Breakaway Region

New York Times A renegade part of Moldova once boasted it would become a Russian-speaking Switzerland. Now without gas, its leader assured residents, “We will not allow a societal collapse.” https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/05/world/europe/russia-gas-moldova-transnistria.html

Italy’s Prime Minister Visits Trump in Mar-a-Lago

New York Times Giorgia Meloni, the Italian prime minister, joins just a handful of other world leaders who have been to the president-elect’s Florida estate since his victory. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/04/world/europe/italy-donald-trump-meloni-visit.html

How Hybrid Tactics Targeted NATO Allies in 2024: Drones, Exploding Parcels, Sabotage

New York Times Russia and other hostile states have become increasingly brazen in adopting “gray zone” attacks against Europe and the United States, leaving defense officials with a dilemma: How to respond? https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/04/world/europe/nato-attacks-drones-exploding-parcels-hybrid.html

In Kosovo, Christian Converts Hope to Revive a Pre-Islamic Past

New York Times Christian converts in Kosovo, where the vast majority of people are Muslim, hope to revive a pre-Islamic past they see as a key to their European identity. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/04/world/europe/kosovo-albanians-christianity-islam.html

In France, Drug Traffic Spreads to Small Towns

New York Times Even quaint corners of the country are seeing a rise in drug violence and crime. Just ask the mayor of Morlaix, which has a population of about 15,000. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/04/world/europe/france-drugs-small-towns.html

Elon Musk Trolls Britain and Defends Tommy Robinson in Flurry of Social Media Posts

New York Times In a barrage of posts rife with misinformation, he revived questions about a child sex abuse scandal, vilified the prime minister and defended a jailed far-right agitator. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/world/europe/elon-musk-britain-social-media.html

David Lodge, British Novelist Who Satirized Academic Life, Dies at 89

New York Times His 15 well-plotted novels teemed with romance and strange coincidence. An erudite literary critic with an ear for language, he also wrote a raft of nonfiction books. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/books/david-lodge-dead.html

Dinosaur Footprints Found in England by Quarry Workers

New York Times The prints were made by both long-necked sauropods and a predator, megalosaurus, and were found in one of the largest discoveries in decades. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/world/europe/dinosaur-footprints-quarry-uk.html

Help! Ryanair Won’t Send Flight Compensation to a U.S. Bank Account

New York Times After being grounded for 12 hours in Berlin, a mother and daughter were owed both compensation and a rebooked flight. All they got were nonsensical responses from customer service. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/03/travel/ryanair-flight-delay-compensation.html