Europe – Page 452 – Prologue Journal

Sergei Surovikin, Russian General Detained After Wagner Mutiny, Is Released

New York Times Gen. Sergei Surovikin, who was seen as an ally of the mercenary leader Yevgeny V. Prigozhin, has re-emerged in public. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/world/europe/general-sergei-surovikin-russia.html

Have You Seen Paul McCartney’s Lost Bass Guitar? Tips Welcome

New York Times For decades, mystery has surrounded the fate of the missing bass that accompanied the Beatles as they rocketed to fame. Hundreds of people have responded to a new campaign to try and find it. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/world/europe/paul-mccartneys-lost-bass-guitar.html

When It Comes to China, Pope Francis Keeps Criticism in Check

New York Times Francis called relations with Beijing “very respectful,” though few clergy or Catholics from China went to see him during a visit to Mongolia, seemingly fearing reprisals. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/world/europe/pope-china-mongolia.html

Rishi Sunak Accused of Cutting U.K. School Rebuilding in Concrete Crisis

New York Times The prime minister was warned in his past job as finance chief, an official said, that hundreds of schools contained dangerously weak concrete. Now classrooms are having to shut. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/world/europe/sunak-uk-schools-concrete.html

Graft in Ukraine Military Spending Becomes a Headache

New York Times The removal of the defense minister highlights the enduring challenge of corruption in Ukraine, which has emerged as a rare area of criticism of President Volodymyr Zelensky’s leadership. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/world/europe/ukraine-military-spending-corruption.html

Ukraine Arrests Oligarch Ihor Kolomoisky Amid Corruption Inquiry

New York Times The detention of Ihor Kolomoisky came as Ukraine steps up efforts to punish graft and make its case for closer integration with the European Union. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/world/europe/ihor-kolomoisky-arrest-corruption.html

Who Is Rustem Umerov, Zelensky’s Nominee for Ukraine’s Defense Minister?

New York Times Though a member of an opposition political party, Mr. Umerov has taken on several critical roles for the Zelensky government since the Russian invasion last year. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/world/europe/defense-umerov-zelensky-ukraine.html

Rishi Sunak’s Conservative Party Embraces Divisive Issues in U.K.

New York Times Climate. Refugees. Crime. With an election looming next year, the prime minister and his party are turning to populist issues. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/world/europe/uk-rishi-sunak-conservatives-labour.html

Monday Briefing

New York Times Changes in Ukraine’s military leadership. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/briefing/ukraine-military-south-africa-ship.html

In Spain, Illegal Pot Farms Are Being Blamed for Blackouts

New York Times Spain’s largest electricity company says daily power outages are caused by indoor marijuana farms that overload the grid. “Easy excuse,” residents reply. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/04/world/europe/spain-blackouts-illegal-marijuana-farms.html