Europe: News and Reviews from The New York Times

Here is the latest European News from The New York Times.

Sperm Donor’s Profile Hid Mental Illness and Crime, Lawsuits Say
Donor 9623 was said to have a high I.Q. and other appealing traits. But families who used his sperm discovered he had schizophrenia and a criminal record.

‘Chocolat,’ a Biopic in France, Stirs a Discussion About Race
The film, directed by Roschdy Zem, stars Omar Sy in the title role as a former slave turned clown, and James Thierrée as the other half of a clown duo in Paris.

Under English Garden, ‘Unparalleled’ Remains of Roman Villa
Laying electric lines to a family’s barn in Wiltshire led to the discovery of artifacts from a lavish site that had barely been disturbed for more than a millennium.

Race for Latest Class of Nuclear Arms Threatens to Revive Cold War
Buildups by the United States, Russia and China unsettle the balance of destructive force that has kept the nuclear peace for more than a half-century.

Head of British Spying Agency Apologizes for Its Treatment of Gays
The director of the Government Communications Headquarters said a ban on gays like Alan Turing had caused long-lasting psychological damage to many and also hurt the agency.

Russia’s Separate Piece Sets Off Alarms About a Cold War Revival
Kaliningrad, a part of Russia on the Baltic Sea, has become heavily armed amid tensions with the West.

German Comic Who Lampooned Erdogan to Extend Break From TV Show
The move by Jan Böhmermann seemed intended to tamp down a debate that erupted two weeks ago after he broadcast a lewd poem about the Turkish president.

E.U. Offers to Loosen Restrictions on Iran Air
Europe sharply curtailed access to its airspace for Iran’s aging airline fleet five years ago because of airworthiness concerns.

Pope Francis Visits Lesbos, Heart of Europe’s Refugee Crisis
The pontiff, an outspoken advocate of the refugees, visited the Greek island as European attitudes toward them have hardened.

Bernie Sanders Makes Quick Transition From Brooklyn to Rome
Less than 12 hours after being grilled in a debate, the senator fielded questions he seemed to enjoy more than 4,000 miles away at a conference in Vatican City.

Phil Sayer, Voice Behind ‘Please Mind the Gap’ on London Underground, Dies at 62
Mr. Sayer, an English voice actor, first recorded messages for the London Underground in 2005. “Mind the gap” has been in use since 1969.

Putin’s Annual Q. and A. Highlights
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia spoke on issues including the Panama Papers, the G.D.P. and sanctions, and the Syrian campaign.

Candidates Make Their Case at U.N.
Candidates for secretary general of the United Nations pitched themselves before the General Assembly this week.

Russian Forces Remain Heavily Involved in Syria, Despite Appearances
Russian attack helicopters replaced jets as Russia operates a secretive war in its effort to influence the political outcome in Syria.

Angela Merkel Allows Turkey to Press Case Against German Comic
Chancellor Merkel’s move to allow a court case against the comic, Jan Böhmermann, made clear that she cannot afford to antagonize President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, whom he lampooned.

Kremlin Apologizes to German Newspaper for Wrongly Tying It to Goldman Sachs
President Vladimir V. Putin misspoke when he said Süddeutsche Zeitung, which published reports about the Panama Papers, was owned by Goldman Sachs.

Belgium’s Transportation Minister Resigns Amid Outcry
Jacqueline Galant stepped down after the publication of leaked reports warning of security deficiencies at Brussels Airport, which was bombed on March 22.

Spanish Castle’s Restoration, Called ‘Disaster’ by Some, Wins Prize
The award, from Architizer, is a vindication of sorts for the architect Carlos Quevedo Rojas, who reinforced stone battlements with a wall of mortar.

E.U.’s Five Biggest Economies Join Tax Crackdown After Panama Papers
Britain, France, Germany, Italy and Spain have agreed to share information on company ownership and that urged the Group of 20 Nations to do the same.

At U.N., Ambassadors Hold Auditions for Next Secretary General
He or she will face daunting challenges, from stopping wars, to holding peacekeepers accountable for rape, to nudging governments to tackle climate change.

Spain’s Industry Minister Steps Down Over Panama Papers Revelations
The resignation of José Manuel Soria, who has not been charged with wrongdoing, comes at a time of turmoil in Spanish politics, after inconclusive elections in December.

African Migrants in Italy
As last year’s stampede of Syrians through Greece and the Balkans plunged Europe into a political crisis, Italy absorbed many migrants from sub-Saharan Africa.

After Europe and Turkey Strike a Deal, Fears Grow That Migrants Will Turn to Italy
With an agreement reached to curb the flow of refugees into Greece, there is new focus on a dangerous sea route from Libya to Italy.

Putin’s Annual Q. and A. Highlights
President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia spoke on issues including the Panama Papers, the G.D.P. and sanctions, and the Syrian campaign.

Czech Republic, Seeking a Snappier Name, Considers a Change
The foreign minister has announced a proposal to rename the country Czechia.

Russian Aircraft Near U.S. Ship
The White House said on Wednesday that Russia had violated professional military norms over the Baltic Sea when one of its planes flew “dangerously close” to an American ship and a Polish aircraft.

Poll of British Muslims Reveals Startling Views, but Some Question Methodology
A new poll of British Muslims revealed attitudes on homosexuality and terrorism sharply out of step with broader public opinion.

Memo From Germany: Merkel, Accused of Betraying Core Values, Faces a Balancing Act With Turkey
The political costs of doing business with the Turkish president, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, are becoming clearer by the week for the chancellor.

Belgian Court Lengthens Prison Term of Extremist Preacher
The sentence for Khalid Zerkani, convicted of recruiting young men to join the jihadist fight in Syria, was increased from 12 years to 15.

Russia’s Vulnerable Side Is at Fore in Putin’s Call-In Show
Domestic concerns, not international swaggering, dominated the choreographed call-in show, amid a second, punishing year of recession in Russia.

Belgian Court Lengthens Prison Term of Extremist Preacher
The sentence for Khalid Zerkani, convicted of recruiting young men to join the jihadist fight in Syria, was increased from 12 years to 15.

Many in British Fishing Port Want E.U. Out of Their Waters
As vote on “Brexit” nears, an English Channel port leans toward Britain’s leaving the European Union and regaining control of its fishing grounds.

Europe, in Wake of Attacks, Votes to Collect Air Passenger Data
Lawmakers approved the measure, which is backed by the United States, to establish a continentwide system to share information on travelers.

Ukraine’s Parliament Approves New Prime Minister in Vote
Volodymyr B. Groysman replaced Arseniy P. Yatsenyuk in the most significant shuffle of the country’s senior leadership since a revolution two years ago.

Jeremy Corbyn, Labour Leader, Urges Britons to Vote to Stay in E.U.
Mr. Corbyn described the bloc as a crucial tool against climate change and tax evasion, saying there was a “strong socialist case” for remaining.

Editorial Observer: In Paris, a Protest Movement Awakens
Students are rising up against the existing political and economic order.

A Hoax Plot, Cloaked in a Ukrainian Interview
The intrigue began last week when The New York Times received a letter on official-looking stationery marked “President of Ukraine.”

Bataclan, Site of Terror Attack in Paris, Plans November Reopening
The concert hall has said on Twitter and on its website that the rocker Pete Doherty would perform on Nov. 16.

Loch Ness Monster Is Found! (Kind of. Not Really.)
Fine, it was just a long-lost movie prop. But the discovery by an underwater drone highlighted the enduring appeal of searching for Nessie.

Families of Germanwings Crash Victims File Suit in U.S.
Lawyers contend that an Arizona flight school allowed Andreas Lubitz to pursue his training despite evidence that he had a history of mental illness.

Russian Plane Flew ‘Dangerously Close’ to U.S. Ship, White House Says
Washington accused Russia on Wednesday of violating professional military norms over the Baltic Sea when a plane flew close to an American ship and a Polish aircraft.

E.U. Accuses Polish Government of Undermining Democracy
The European Parliament adopted a resolution urging the right-wing government in Warsaw to respect the decisions of a top court.

I.M.F. Warns of Economic Risk of British Exit From E.U.
The fund said a withdrawal from the bloc — or “Brexit” — would pose “major challenges for both the United Kingdom and the rest of Europe.”