Europe – Page 307 – Prologue Journal

E.U. Plans to Use Russian Frozen Assets to Pay for Weapons for Ukraine

New York Times Using interest earned on frozen Russian assets held in Europe, the bloc plans to raise billions. But other ways to pay for new weapons remain elusive. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/world/europe/eu-russia-weapons-ukraine.html

A British Woman Bought a Brooch for 20 Pounds. It Sold for Nearly £10,000.

New York Times Flora Steel, an art historian living in Rome, bought the brooch 36 years ago at an antiques fair. She realized its value only last year while watching YouTube. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/arts/william-burges-brooch-uk.html

Who Is Leo Varadkar?

New York Times Mr. Varadkar, who said on Wednesday that he would step down as Ireland’s prime minister, has had a career of firsts. His resignation came as a surprise. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/world/europe/who-is-leo-varadkar.html

Ireland’s Prime Minister, Leo Varadkar, to Step Down

New York Times In an unexpected announcement, Leo Varadkar said he would resign from the leadership of the country and of his party, Fine Gael. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/world/europe/ireland-varadkar-taoiseach-resign.html

UK Investigates Breach of Kate’s Medical Records

New York Times Britain’s data protection watchdog said it was investigating after claims that a hospital employee had tried to obtain the medical records of Catherine, Princess of Wales. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/world/europe/princess-kate-middleton-hospital-records-uk.html

Abel Prize for 2024 Won by Michel Talagrand for Studies of Universe’s Randomness

New York Times Michel Talagrand of France has credited a brush with blindness for leading to the work that resulted in his recognition by the math equivalent of the Nobel Prize. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/science/abel-prize-mathematics-randomness.html

Symbolism or Strategy? Ukraine Battles to Retain Small Gains

New York Times Despite American doubts, Ukrainians say that defending places with little strategic value is worth the cost in casualties and weapons, because the attacking Russians pay an even higher price. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/world/europe/ukraine-russia-south.html

A Bridge to Nowhere Signals Hungary’s Patronage Politics

New York Times A beacon for “anti-woke” conservatives abroad, Prime Minister Viktor Orban keeps his grip at home by doling out cash, critics say. Behold the treeless “treetop canopy walkway.” https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/world/europe/hungary-orban-corruption-eu.html

Wednesday Briefing

New York Times Hong Kong’s new security laws. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/briefing/hong-kong-laws-japan-rates.html

Why the U.K.’s House of Lords Is Clashing With Sunak

New York Times The government’s contentious Rwanda policy, which has been championed by the prime minister, has prompted a rebellion in Britain’s unelected second chamber. https://www.nytimes.com/2024/03/20/world/europe/uk-house-of-lords-sunak-rwanda.html