Europe – Page 7 – Prologue Journal

‘Approaching the Light’: Peter Fenwick and Stories of Near-Death Experiences

New York Times Dr. Fenwick, a neuropsychiatrist, assembled anecdotes from more than 300 people in his book “The Truth in the Light.” Here are some of them. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/science/peter-fenwick-near-death-experience.html

France Indicts Founder of Notorious Website Used in Pelicot Rape Case

New York Times The site, coco.fr, was shut down in June after being linked to more than 23,000 sexual abuse and other cases in France alone, including the rape trial that shocked the country last year. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/world/europe/france-pelicot-rape-trial-coco-indictment.html

Germany Approves Tribunal to Decide Nazi-Looted Art Claims

New York Times The new body will be easier to access and its decisions will be legally binding. But some lawyers and Jewish heirs are not happy with the reform. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/arts/germany-nazi-looted-art-restitution-panel.html

With Trump Arriving, Zelensky Urges Allies Not to ‘Drop the Ball’

New York Times In an impassioned address to officials from countries supporting Ukraine, Mr. Zelensky said ‘a new chapter’ would be starting for Europe and the rest of the world, requiring even more cooperation. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/us/politics/trump-zelensky-ukraine-war.html

Elon Musk Is Trying to Break Germany’s Quarantine on the Far-Right AfD

New York Times Political leaders have shunned the Alternative for Germany. But on his social media platform X, Mr. Musk is pitching the party as mainstream. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/world/europe/germany-elon-musk-afd.html

Putin Gets a Snub in the Vast Wine Cellars of a Former Soviet Republic

New York Times The Russian president celebrated his 50th birthday at a winery in Moldova. After the invasion of Ukraine, it moved the bottles he was given away from public view. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/world/europe/moldova-wine-cellar-putin.html

Thursday Briefing

New York Times Here’s what you need to know. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/09/briefing/wildfires-california-hostage.html

Blinken and French Diplomat Criticize Trump’s Talk of Taking Greenland

New York Times In Paris, the two officials acknowledged potential strains on alliances with the return of Donald J. Trump to power, but said their countries would try to maintain strong ties. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/blinken-france-trump.html

U.K. Special Forces Allowed to ‘Get Away with Murder’ in Afghanistan, Inquiry Told

New York Times Evidence released by an official inquiry into alleged war crimes painted a disturbing picture of an elite fighting force with a culture of impunity. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/uk-afghanistan-war-crimes.html

Belgium’s Food Agency Advises Against Eating Your Christmas Tree

New York Times The country’s food agency warned against using evergreens in food after the city of Ghent suggested an unusual form of recycling: spruce needle butter. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/belgium-christmas-tree-eating.html