Nations – Page 28953 – Prologue Journal

MAC defends review of HK district councilors’ applications to visit Taiwan

Taipei, April 7 (CNA) The Mainland Affairs Council (MAC), Taiwan’s top government agency in charge of cross-Taiwan Strait affairs, on Friday defended its process of reviewing applications from Hong Kong district councilors who had applied to visit Taiwan but had not yet gotten approval. https://focustaiwan.tw/cross-strait/202304080002

Taiwan plans to lift public transport mask mandate on April 17

Taipei, April 7 (CNA) Passengers taking public transportation in Taiwan will no longer be required to wear a face mask starting on April 17, if the COVID-19 situation remains stable, the Central Epidemic Command Center (CECC) announced on Friday. https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202304080001

WSJ Reporter Formally Charged With Spying – Russian Agencies

Moscow Times Evan Gershkovich categorically denied the espionage accusations, TASS reported. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/wsj-reporter-formally-charged-with-spying-russian-agencies-a80759

US weighs action against Russian cybersecurity firm Kaspersky Lab – WSJ

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-738691

In Photos: Russian High Schoolers Undergo Basic Military, First Aid Training

Moscow Times Russia added military training to its school curriculum following the invasion of Ukraine in a controversial move. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/in-photos-russian-high-schoolers-undergo-basic-military-and-first-aid-training-a80751

US and China urged to boost travel and exchanges to stop further fraying in ties

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. A study warns that relations have reached a ‘level of animosity not seen since the late 1960s’ and call for increased contact between the two sides. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216368/us-and-china-urged-boost-travel-and-exchanges-stop-further-fraying-ties?utm_source=rss_feed

British Firm Ships $1.2Bln of Electronics to Russia Despite Sanctions – FT

Moscow Times A London-registered company reportedly sent technical equipment including servers, laptops and computer parts to Russia. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/british-firm-ships-12bln-of-electronics-to-russia-despite-sanctions-ft-a80753

Belarus Sentences Ex-Presidential Candidate to 17 Years in Absentia

Moscow Times Valeriy Tsepkalo had intended to run in Belarus’ 2020 presidential election but was barred from registering as a candidate. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/belarus-sentences-ex-presidential-candidate-to-17-years-in-absentia-a80754

Notorious Arms Dealer Urges Trump to Seek Refuge in Russia

Moscow Times Viktor Bout, also known as the “Merchant of Death,” was swapped for U.S. basketball star Brittney Griner in a high-profile exchange. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/notorious-arms-dealer-urges-trump-to-seek-refuge-in-russia-a80757

China took on outsized debt relief burden under G20 pandemic aid plan, study finds

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. China held only 30 per cent of the claims but backed 63 per cent of payment deferrals, according to the study by China Africa Research Initiative at Johns Hopkins University. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3216227/china-took-outsized-debt-relief-burden-under-g20-pandemic-aid-plan-study-finds?utm_source=rss_feed