Europe – Page 139 – Prologue Journal

Russia Seeks to Turn Humbling Incursion Into Military Gains

New York Times Two weeks after Ukraine launched its surprise attack, Russian forces have recovered from the initial shock and are now trying to exploit the expansion of the war to their battlefield advantage. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/21/world/europe/russian-response-ukraine-incursion.html

They Spouted Hate Online. Then They Were Arrested.

New York Times As hundreds of people appear in court for their role in recent anti-immigrant riots in Britain, several are accused of fueling disorder through online posts, raising questions about the limits of free speech. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/21/world/europe/they-spouted-hate-online-then-they-were-arrested.html

Waterspout Was Seen When the Bayesian Yacht Sank in Sicily. What Is It?

New York Times Witnesses reported seeing the tornado-like phenomenon hit the Bayesian, a sailing yacht that sank off the coast of Sicily on Monday. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/world/europe/waterspout-yacht-sinks-sicily.html

What to Know About the Sunken Sicily Yacht’s Missing Passengers, Including Mike Lynch

New York Times Mr. Lynch, the former chief executive of the software firm Autonomy, who was acquitted on fraud charges in June, was with friends and family when the yacht went down in a severe storm. https://www.nytimes.com/article/sicily-yacht-sinks-missing-passengers.html

Ukrainian Lawmakers Pass Bill Aiming to Ban Russian-Aligned Church

New York Times The measure, which awaits President Volodymyr Zelensky’s signature, would further a long, post-Soviet split between two of the world’s largest Orthodox communities. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/world/europe/ukraine-orthodox-church-russia.html

Rocket Engine Explodes During Test at Shetland Spaceport

New York Times As European countries push to develop more independent space capabilities, a test at one new site produced an explosion. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/world/europe/rocket-test-on-remote-scottish-island-ends-in-flames.html

Maria Branyas Morera, World’s Oldest Person, Dies at 117

New York Times Ms. Morera, who cultivated a following on social media as “Super Catalan Grandma,” died peacefully in her sleep, her family said. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/world/europe/worlds-oldest-person-maria-branyas-dead.html

Risking His Own Extinction to Rescue the Rarest of Flowers

New York Times Carlos Magdalena, whose botanical adventures have shades of Indiana Jones, was a driving force in saving the world’s smallest water lily and finding the largest one. He has been called the “plant messiah.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/world/europe/carlos-magdalena-flowers-royal-botanic-gardens-kew.html

What to Know About the Sunken Sicily Yacht’s Missing Passengers, Including Mike Lynch

Europe Slashes Tariffs for Tesla Vehicles Made in China

New York Times The European Commission will charge the U.S. automaker an additional duty of 9 percent, much lower than tariffs levied on its Chinese peers for electric vehicles imported to Europe. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/20/business/tesla-electric-vehicle-tariffs-china.html