Europe – Page 376 – Prologue Journal

Chinese Traders and Moroccan Ports: How Russia Flouts Global Tech Bans

New York Times Using specialized e-commerce sites, secretive shipping workarounds and a constellation of middlemen, Russia has obtained the tech components it needs to keep its economy and war in Ukraine going. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/19/technology/russia-flouts-global-tech-bans.html

Iceland Volcano Erupts Near Grindavik After Weeks of Earthquakes

New York Times Iceland’s weather service had warned that a volcanic eruption was likely after thousands of earthquakes were recorded this month. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/world/europe/iceland-volcano-eruption-earthquakes.html

Italy Picks Italians to Lead the Uffizi and Other Museums

New York Times The country’s nationalist government named new directors for some of its most important cultural institutions. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/arts/design/uffizi-simone-verde.html

He Made a Magazine, 95 Issues, While Hiding From the Nazis in an Attic

New York Times The people who hid Curt Bloch, a German Jew, in the crawl space of a Dutch home gave him both food and the materials he needed to make a highly creative magazine now drawing attention. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/arts/design/dutch-resistance-ww2-magazine-holocaust.html

Irish Leader Condemns Fire at Hotel Preparing to Host Asylum Seekers

New York Times Prime Minister Leo Varadkar said there was no justification for “violence, arson or vandalism.” The blaze came weeks after an anti-immigrant riot in Dublin. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/world/europe/ireland-fire-hotel-asylum-seekers.html

Pope Francis Allows Priests to Bless Same-Sex Relationships

New York Times A church official said the blessings amounted to “a real development” that nevertheless did not amend “the traditional doctrine of the Church about marriage.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/world/europe/pope-gay-lesbian-same-sex-blessing.html

A Frugal Exploration of Christmas Markets Along the Rhine River

New York Times It’s that time of year when holiday markets pop up across Europe. Relying on trains and a “Christmas bus,” we explore eight towns and cities in France and Switzerland, sipping mulled wine along the way. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/travel/christmas-markets-in-alsace.html

A Frugal Exploration of Christmas Markets Along the Rhine River

Fear and Suspicion Stalk Russian Speakers in Latvia

New York Times In response to the war in Ukraine, Latvia has targeted residents with Russian passports as part of efforts to combat Moscow’s influence. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/18/world/europe/in-a-baltic-nation-fear-and-suspicion-stalk-russian-speakers.html