Europe – Page 226 – Prologue Journal

U.S. Swimming Stars Assail Antidoping Agency Ahead of Olympics

New York Times Michael Phelps and Allison Schmitt are set to testify to a House subcommittee after reports that Chinese swimmers were allowed to compete in the 2021 Games after testing positive for a banned drug. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/sports/olympics/phelps-schmitt-olympics-antidoping-hearing.html

France’s Far-Right National Rally Rebranded Itself. Here’s How.

New York Times Many long considered Marine Le Pen’s party too extreme to be anywhere close to power. Now, the party could win a parliamentary election — and fill the prime minister’s seat. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/europe/france-national-rally-rebranding.html

Russia Committed Human Rights Violations in Crimea, European Court Finds

New York Times The European Court of Human Rights listed multiple violations. Its findings paint a grim picture of life under a decade of Russian occupation. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/europe/russia-crimea-european-human-rights-court.html

I.C.C. Issues Arrest Warrants for 2 Senior Russian Security Officials

New York Times Sergei K. Shoigu, the former defense minister, and Gen. Valery V. Gerasimov, the country’s highest-ranking military officer, were accused of directing attacks against civilians. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/europe/icc-arrest-warrants-russia-ukraine-war.html

Microsoft Teams Bundle Hit With E.U. Antitrust Charges

New York Times The tech giant has been accused of stifling competition by packaging its video conferencing app with other tools like Word and Excel. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/business/european-union-microsoft-teams-antitrust.html

Emperor Naruhito to Visit London’s Kew Gardens, Which Has Links to Japan

New York Times Emperor Naruhito and his wife, Empress Masako, are touring the famous botanic gardens this week as part of a state visit to Britain. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/europe/london-japan-emperor-kew-gardens.html

Russia Tightens Grip on Wagner Units in Africa, Year After Failed Mutiny

New York Times Moscow has largely taken over the African operations of the paramilitary group, once led by Yevgeny Prigozhin, who was killed after leading an insurrection against Vladimir Putin. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/africa/russia-wagner-africa-corps.html

Tuesday Briefing

New York Times An attack in Dagestan rekindled Russian fears of terrorism. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/briefing/russia-terror-attack.html

2 Russian Women Put on a Play. Then the State Came for Them.

New York Times The prosecution of a prominent playwright and a director in Russia over their work is a chilling sign of increased repression, cultural figures say. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/25/world/europe/russia-playwright-director-terrorism-trial.html

Zelensky Removes Gen. Yurii Sodol Amid Criticism of Excessive Casualties

New York Times The announcement by Ukraine’s president on Monday came hours after a scathing social media post implicitly accused the general of “killing more Ukrainian soldiers than any Russian general.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/06/24/world/europe/zelensky-ukraine-general-dismissed.html