Europe – Page 465 – Prologue Journal

BRICS Summit Attracts Global Interest Not Seen in Years

New York Times The leaders from the five-member group of nations — Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa — are discussing expanding the club, which harbors ambitions of becoming a geopolitical alternative to Western-led forums. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/world/europe/brics-summit.html

Ukrainian Drones Are Intercepted Over Russia, Including Near Moscow

New York Times Russia said it intercepted drones in two parts of the country, in what appeared to be the latest in a string of Ukrainian attacks designed to bring the war home to Russia’s citizens. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/world/europe/ukraine-drones-moscow-russia.html

Sunflower Farm Warns Guests, ‘Keep Your Clothes On’

New York Times A summer getaway southwest of London put up signs asking people to stop posing for risqué photos where other guests, including children, could see. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/world/europe/sunflower-farm-nude-photoshoots-england.html

At Risk of Invasion or Lovely to Visit: Two Views of a Polish Border Area

New York Times Polish authorities have issued dire warnings that the Suwalki Gap, on Poland’s northern border between Russia and Belarus, is under threat. Locals say that is just election-related fear-mongering. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/22/world/europe/dangerous-or-safe-polish-border-area.html

Howard S. Becker, Who Looked at Society With a Fresh Eye, Dies at 95

New York Times A sociologist, he challenged conventional thinking on matters as diverse as deviance, art making and marijuana use. He found a particular following in France. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/books/howard-s-becker-dead.html

Luis Rubiales Apologizes for Kissing Jennifer Hermoso After World Cup Win

New York Times “Probably I made a mistake,” Luis Rubiales, the Spanish soccer federation chief, said after grabbing Jennifer Hermoso and planting a kiss full on her mouth, igniting howls of outrage on social media. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/world/europe/spain-soccer-kiss-rubiales-hermoso-apology.html

Nuclear War Could End the World, but What if It’s All in Our Heads?

New York Times Some experts want to apply recent neuroscience research to the decision making that could lead to doomsday. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/science/nuclear-war-brain-neuroscience.html

Zelensky Thanks Denmark for Pledging to Donate F-16 Fighter Jets

New York Times The Netherlands and Denmark became the first countries to announce that they would donate the planes. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/world/europe/f-16-fighter-jets-denmark-ukraine.html

Nurse Lucy Letby Faces Possible Life in Prison for Killing U.K. Newborns

New York Times Lucy Letby was convicted last week of murdering seven newborns and trying to kill six other babies, making her the most prolific killer of children in modern British history. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/world/europe/lucy-letby-sentence-nurse-babies-killed.html

Even in War, Ukrainian Soldiers Find Time for World of Tanks Video Game

New York Times The urge to play a violent video game in the midst of the most brutal land war in Europe since World War II may seem baffling. But it’s a way to cope. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/21/world/europe/ukraine-russia-world-of-tanks.html