Europe – Page 169 – Prologue Journal

Friday Briefing

New York Times A pivotal moment in the White House race. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/19/briefing/trump-biden-gaza-france.html

Italian Monks Rebuild Quake-Ravaged Monastery, Giving Hope to Region

New York Times Eight years after devastating earthquakes ravaged central Italy, the reopening of a monastery is an inspiration for an area still struggling to recover. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/19/world/europe/italy-earthquakes-monastery-beer.html

Dig at Meloni’s Height Could Cost Reporter in Italy 5,000 Euros

New York Times A lawsuit that Prime Minister Georgia Meloni won is one of several she has filed against critics. Press-freedom groups say it is a concerning practice. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/world/europe/italy-journalist-defamation-meloni.html

World Leaders Mull a Potential Second Term for Trump

New York Times Some governments are taking concrete steps to prepare for the possible return of the former U.S. president. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/world/europe/trump-foreign-policy.html

At 5, She Picked Up Chess as a Pandemic Hobby. At 9, She’s a Prodigy.

New York Times Bodhana Sivanandan, a fourth-grader, has become one of England’s best players just a few years after discovering chess during pandemic lockdown. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/world/europe/bodhana-sivanandan-chess-prodigy-england.html

E.C.B. Leaves Rates Unchanged but Keeps Door Open for September

New York Times The central bank left its key deposit rate at 3.75 percent as inflation in the eurozone is expected to fluctuate throughout the rest of the year. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/business/european-central-bank-interest-rates.html

Von der Leyen Secures Second E.U. Term, but It’s a New World Out There

New York Times The German conservative, a steadfast U.S. ally, gained European Parliament approval to lead the European Commission for another five years. She’ll face tumult at home and abroad. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/world/europe/european-commission-von-der-leyen.html

Ukraine Loses Hard-Won Position Near Dnipro River in the South

New York Times Soldiers and military analysts said an operation to establish a foothold on the river’s Russian-controlled eastern bank was bloody and hard to justify. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/world/europe/ukraine-war-dnipro-river.html

Why Levan Akin Won’t Show His New Movie ‘Crossing’ in Georgia

New York Times The director Levan Akin is worried that his latest film, “Crossing,” will inflame tensions around L.G.B.T. visibility in the post-Soviet nation. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/movies/crossing-levan-akin-georgia-lgbt.html

French Lawmakers Will Vote to Elect New National Assembly President

New York Times Lawmakers gathered for the first time since an election produced a deadlocked Parliament to elect a new president of the National Assembly. It was unclear who would come out on top. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/07/18/world/europe/france-parliament-assembly.html