Europe – Page 514 – Prologue Journal

Russian Influencer Ksenia Sobchak on the War: Resistance Is Futile, So Find Ways to Cope

New York Times Ksenia Sobchak, one of the best known media figures still in Russia, says her fatalistic stance just reflects a grim reality. Some liberals call her a Kremlin stooge, while hawks see her as disloyal. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/world/europe/ksenia-sobchak-putin-russia-ukraine-war.html

Friday Briefing

New York Times The toll from wildfires in Hawaii. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/11/briefing/hawaii-maui-ruble-russia.html

Russia Tries to Bolster Ruble as Inflation Adds to Economic Woes

New York Times The central bank in Moscow took steps to counter the currency’s slide, but the war and resulting sanctions have put intense pressure on the economy. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/business/russia-economy-ruble-inflation.html

What Happened to Britain’s ‘Crooked House’ Pub?

New York Times The beloved tilted landmark in the West Midlands area of England was razed after a fire that police suspect was arson, leaving locals looking for answers. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/world/europe/crooked-house-pub-fire.html

Yandex Founder Calls Russia’s War In Ukraine ‘Barbaric’

New York Times Arkady Volozh is only the second sanctioned Russian businessman to take an unequivocal public position against the invasion. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/world/europe/yandex-ukraine-war-arkady-volozh.html

Italy’s Government Takes Aim at Taxi Shortages

New York Times The government took steps this week to increase the supply of cabs after months of shortages, but critics say the problems with the industry run deeper. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/world/europe/italy-taxi-lobby-tourism.html

Is Albariño the Next Great White Wine? It Depends.

New York Times For so long it’s been regarded as a simple, fruity wine to drink young and forget. But some producers in Rías Baixas are finding great potential. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/dining/drinks/rias-baixas-albarino-white-wine.html

Russia Is Launching Luna-25 to the Moon: How and When to Watch

New York Times The mission, years in the making, will attempt to put a robotic lander on the lunar surface, the first Russian visit to the moon since 1976. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/science/russia-moon-launch.html

Edinburgh Festival Review: ‘Food’ Is an Acquired Taste

New York Times At the Edinburgh Festival, Geoff Sobelle presents a dinner party as a theatrical spectacle, in which silliness is the end in itself. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/theater/food-edinburgh-festival.html

A Drone’s View Behind Russian Lines: Cratered Fields and Charred Armor

New York Times A Ukrainian unit sent a drone into Russian-occupied territory to surveil the battlefront, and it brought back vivid images of the Russian side of the war zone. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/08/10/world/europe/ukraine-drones-russia-war-zone.html