Europe – Page 8 – Prologue Journal

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

Punk and Emo Fossils Are a Hot Topic in Paleontology

New York Times It’s not causing panic! in the fossil record, but a 430-million-year-old mollusk discovery in Britain is a source of excitement for some scientists. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/science/punk-emo-fossils-slugs.html

As Elon Musk Embraces the Far Right, Some of Its Leaders Reject Him

New York Times Mr. Musk has fallen out with prominent right-wing Americans who say they are worried that their agenda may be sidelined in favor of his own. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/technology/elon-musk-far-right.html

France Far-Right Party Embraces Jean-Marie Le Pen as a Visionary

New York Times For years, the far-right National Rally tried to distance itself from Mr. Le Pen’s racist and antisemitic remarks. But after his death Tuesday, it hailed him as a visionary. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/france-le-pen-death-national-rally.html

Italian Journalist Released by Iran, Officials in Italy Say

New York Times Cecilia Sala, 29, who was detained last month in Iran while on a reporting trip, was on a plane back to her home country, the Italian government announced. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/italy-iran-cecilia-sala-journalist-released.html

A Far-Right Government in Austria Would Be a Jolt, but Not Unexpected

New York Times The Freedom Party and its leader, Herbert Kickl, have steadily built support by demonizing immigrants, while entering Austria’s political mainstream. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/europe/austria-far-right-freedom-party.html

With Stakes High, Lebanese Lawmakers to Try Again to Choose a President

New York Times Despite pressure by the United States and others to elect a president in order to receive financial support, a consensus candidate has yet to emerge who can clearly end Lebanon’s political gridlock. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/world/middleeast/lebanon-politics-president-parliament-vote.html

Wednesday Briefing

New York Times Here’s what you need to know. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/08/briefing/meta-fact-checking-trump.html

Denmark Updates Coat of Arms Amid Trump Push to Buy Greenland

New York Times Before President-elect Donald Trump’s latest remarks, King Frederik X signaled his commitment to the territory in a decidedly old-fashioned way. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/style/denmark-coat-of-arms-trump-greenland.html

Ireland Joins South Africa’s Genocide Case Against Israel

New York Times Ireland had said it would intervene in the case at the International Court of Justice, arguing that Israel’s actions in Gaza amounted to collective punishment. https://www.nytimes.com/2025/01/07/world/europe/ireland-icj-israel-genocide.html