Prologue Journal – Page 32579 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Led by China, more countries targeting citizens abroad with abductions, violence, deportations- US study

Hong Kong Free Press A rising number of countries are turning to abductions, violence or deportations against citizens abroad to silence dissent, with China the biggest violator, a US democracy research group said Thursday. File photo: Tom Grundy/HKFP. Freedom House in a report identified 854 direct incidents of “transnational repression” carried out by 38 governments…

North Korea says US-South Korea drills driving region to ‘brink of nuclear war’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. State media said the exercises have ‘turned the Korean peninsula into a huge powder magazine which can be detonated any moment’. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3216129/north-korea-says-us-south-korea-drills-driving-region-brink-nuclear-war?utm_source=rss_feed

China support for Asean nuclear weapon-free zone ‘counter-intuitive’ if other states do not sign pact

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. With Beijing growing its nuclear arsenal, it is also unclear how it intends to abide by the Southeast Asia Nuclear Weapon-Free Zone Treaty, analysts say. https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3216105/china-support-asean-nuclear-weapon-free-zone-counter-intuitive-if-other-states-do-not-sign-pact?utm_source=rss_feed

Can high marks in international exams indicate economic growth? – study

Jerusalem Post Even when some connection was found, the relationship between past economic data and test achievements was only recently significantly stronger and more distinct. https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/all-news/article-738561

An Episcopalian bishop warns his diocese against holding Christian Passover seders

Jerusalem Post Photos of Christian seders on social media show elements that would be out of place at a traditional Jewish seder, such as bread or Christian symbols. https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-738560

A Haggadah featuring photos of judicial reform protests to be released

Jerusalem Post This special Haggadah features sections written some notable Israeli figures. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/jewish-holidays/article-738558

Israeli Police Raid Jerusalem Mosque; Brief Flare-Up With Gaza Follows

New York Times The raid at the sensitive holy site set off Palestinian rocket fire from the Gaza Strip, followed by Israeli airstrikes on the territory. On Wednesday night, there was a second raid at the compound. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/05/world/middleeast/aqsa-mosque-jerusalem.html

Multinational Exercise Defender 23 Kicks Off This Month in Europe

Defense.gov Nearly 9,000 American troops are expected to participate in the Defender 23, an exercise that demonstrates the U.S. military’s ability to rapidly deploy combat-credible troops and equipment. https://www.defense.gov/News/News-Stories/Article/Article/3353612/multinational-exercise-defender-23-kicks-off-this-month-in-europe/

Cash App founder Bob Lee stabbed to death in San Francisco, says father

Jerusalem Post The San Francisco Police Department said late on Tuesday that a 43-year-old man was stabbed early in the day and succumbed to injuries in the hospital. https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/all-news/article-738552

Your Thursday Briefing: Diplomatic Visits Highlight Tension With China

New York Times Also, what’s next for Donald Trump and Israeli police raid a Jerusalem mosque. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/05/briefing/china-taiwan-diplomacy-trump-charge-israel.html