Europe – Page 298 – Prologue Journal

Valentino Names Alessandro Michele as Creative Director

New York Times Alessandro Michele, the designer who brought profits and plenty of buzz to Gucci, was just named creative director of Valentino. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/style/valentino-alessandro-michele.html

Crisis-Hit British Museum Gets New Leader

New York Times Nicholas Cullinan will take over the London institution as it faces multiple challenges. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/arts/design/british-museum-nicholas-cullinan.html

Why Russia’s Vast Security Services Fell Short on Deadly Attack

New York Times The factors behind the failure to prevent a terrorist attack include a distrust of foreign intelligence, a focus on Ukraine and a distracting political crackdown at home. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/world/europe/russia-concert-attack-security-failures.html

Thursday Briefing

New York Times Russia’s online efforts to derail Ukraine aid. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/28/briefing/russia-ukraine-disinformation-israel-hezbollah.html

Russian Group Spread Disinformation About Kate Middleton, Experts Say

New York Times A Kremlin-linked group known for online campaigns to sow falsehoods and distrust among Russia’s foes helped fuel the frenzy of conspiracy theories about Catherine and her health. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/world/europe/princess-kate-middleton-russia-conspiracy.html

Oxford vs. Cambridge Boat Race Marred by Sewage and E. coli Concerns

New York Times Rowers in the Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race this weekend have been warned of dangerously high levels of E. coli in the River Thames, the latest sign of England’s polluted waterways. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/world/europe/oxford-cambridge-boat-race-ecoli.html

Russia Has No Formal Death Penalty. Here’s How That Might Change.

New York Times Some prominent Russians are calling for the execution of those responsible for the massacre at a concert hall near Moscow, and an end to Russia’s 28-year moratorium on capital punishment. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/world/europe/russia-death-penalty-moratorium.html

It’s a Statue of Prince Philip. Really. But Now It Has to Go.

New York Times A much-reviled faceless statue in Cambridge, England, commemorating Philip’s time as a chancellor of Cambridge University has been ordered to be removed. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/world/europe/prince-philip-statue-cambridge-uk.html

British Museum Sues Former Curator for Return of Stolen Items

New York Times The museum accuses Peter Higgs, a former keeper of Greek and Roman antiquities, of stealing or damaging at least 1,800 artifacts and selling many on eBay. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/arts/design/british-museum-thefts-peter-higgs.html

Kremlin Treads Carefully After Moscow Attack Over Fears of Ethnic Strife

New York Times Anti-migrant rhetoric in the aftermath of the attacks at the concert venue outside Moscow has spurred fears that the tragedy could cause ethnic strife inside Russia. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/27/world/europe/russia-moscow-attack-migrants.html