Europe – Page 2 – Prologue Journal

U.K. Announces Rapid Review into Scale of Child Sexual Abuse by Grooming Gangs

New York Times Britain’s Labour government came under pressure to act after Elon Musk reignited a decade-old scandal involving child sexual abuse mainly by men of Pakistani heritage. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/world/europe/grooming-gangs-uk-audit-musk.html

U.K. Announces Rapid Review into Scale of Child Sexual Abuse by Grooming Gangs

French Pay Final Respects to Far-Right Firebrand

New York Times The memorial for Jean-Marie Le Pen, who was known for his racist and antisemitic remarks, comes as the National Rally has become the driving force in French politics. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/world/europe/france-politics-lepen-farright-memorial.html

Keir Starmer Vows Long-Term U.K. Partnership With Ukraine on Kyiv Visit

New York Times Prime Minister Keir Starmer signaled continued solidarity, with further U.S. support in question under a second Trump administration. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/world/europe/uk-ukraine-starmer.html

Azerbaijan’s Leader, Emboldened, Picks a Rare Fight With Putin

New York Times Russia’s president is said to have blamed birds or a Ukrainian drone for a Dec. 25 crash of an Azerbaijani plane. Azerbaijan says Russian air defenses were at fault. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/world/europe/russia-putin-azerbaijan-plane-crash.html

‘The Interview’: Ambassador David Pressman Is Alarmed by What He Has Seen

New York Times Ambassador David Pressman talks about his contentious relationship with Viktor Orban’s administration and why what happens in Hungary matters. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/magazine/david-pressman-interview.html

Thursday Briefing

New York Times Here’s what you need to know. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/16/briefing/israel-hamas-poland-russia.html

British Man Freed From Prison Over Video Misidentification

New York Times Ademola Adedeji was ensnared in a murder conspiracy case with no murder victim. Prosecutors labeled him a gang member and won a conviction and eight-year sentence. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/world/europe/uk-conspiracy-gang-video-misidentification-trial-overturned.html

Albania Gives Jared Kushner Hotel Project a Nod as Trump Returns

New York Times The project is one of several that family members of President-elect Donald J. Trump have with foreign countries that have pending policy matters with the United States. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/us/politics/albania-kushner-trump.html

Poland’s Leader Suggests Russian Hand in Plot to Attack Western Cargo Planes

New York Times “I can only confirm that Russia planned acts of air terror, not just against Poland but against airlines across the globe,” said Poland’s prime minister, Donald Tusk. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/world/europe/russia-plot-to-attack-cargo-planes.html