Europe – Page 574 – Prologue Journal

What Is the Synod of Bishops?

New York Times The assembly includes bishops from all over the world and takes years to prepare for. For the first time, an upcoming synod will allow women and laypeople to vote. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/bishops-synod-meeting.html

Ukraine Has Nearly All Combat Vehicles Allies Promised, NATO Says

New York Times Gen. Christopher Cavoli, also the top commander of U.S. forces in Europe, made the comments to the House Armed Services Committee. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/ukraine-counteroffensive-combat-vehicles.html

Boat Sinks in Mediterranean, and at Least 55 People Drown

New York Times The accident is the latest in a series of recent deadly accidents involving migrants trying to reach Europe. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/africa/boat-sinks-in-mediterranean-and-at-least-55-people-drown.html

Part of Swedish Research Rocket Lands in Norway, Causing Friction

New York Times The research rocket landed in a mountain range across the border, creating some rare friction between the two neighbors, with Norway saying protocols hadn’t been followed. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/sweden-norway-rocket.html

Relations between China and Ukraine have been uncertain since Russia’s full-scale invasion.

New York Times President Xi Jinping of China and President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine last communicated in January 2022, less than two months before Russia invaded. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/relations-between-china-and-ukraine-have-been-uncertain-since-russias-full-scale-invasion.html

Germany Deems Branch of Far-Right Party an Extremist Group

New York Times The youth wing of the increasingly radical political party, Alternative for Germany, is a threat to German democracy, the country’s domestic spy agency said. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/germany-afd-youth-wing-extremist.html

Pope Will Allow Women to Vote at Meeting of Bishops

New York Times Although it is a step forward for women, they are still barred from becoming deacons, which many advocates of female leadership in the Roman Catholic Church have pushed for. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/pope-women-vote-bishops-meeting.html

Aleksei Navalny, Top Kremlin Critic, Says New Charge Carries Life Term

New York Times The jailed Russian opposition leader said he faced a terrorism case that he described as “absurd.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/aleksei-navalny-new-charge.html

Kitsch to Creepy: Polish Town No Longer Relishes Soviet Past (or Rasputin)

New York Times A Polish town that was once occupied by the Soviets used to embrace its history with military re-enactments and Lenin banners. But “nobody wants to be reminded of Russia these days.” https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/world/europe/poland-russia-borne-sulinowo.html

Soviet Pop Art Duo Reunites for First U.S. Retrospective Since Their Breakup

New York Times The rebellious artists Vitaly Komar and Alexander Melamid founded their own artistic movement. They agreed to their first interview together in 20 years. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/26/arts/komar-melamid-zimmerli.html