Prologue Journal – Page 36068 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Joe Biden’s ‘spy balloon’ remarks a bid to play down China threat for US audiences, experts say

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The US president on Tuesday suggested China’s Xi Jinping was angry about the balloon incident because he didn’t know about it. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3225217/joe-bidens-spy-balloon-remarks-bid-play-down-china-threat-us-audiences-experts-say?utm_source=rss_feed

Jerusalem’s Hebrew University to showcase Albert Einstein to the world

Jerusalem Post Exactly a century after the great scientist visited the Hebrew University, the cornerstone is laid for a museum that will shine a spotlight on Albert Einstein. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-747224

What is eastern Jerusalem’s ‘downtown’ area?

Jerusalem Post For eastern Jerusalem, downtown features restaurants, cafes, hotels, and shops. But it also includes ancient historic sites to visit. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-747245

Man sentenced to 5.5 years in prison for growing marijuana

Taipei, June 23 (CNA) A man was sentenced to five years and six months in prison for growing marijuana and making cigarettes, cream and chocolate out of the flowering plant listed as a Category II narcotic in Taiwan, according to a court document published on Friday. https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202306230014

Europe—and Tiremaker Pirelli—Struggle to ‘De-risk’ From China

Wall Street Journal Even Italy, previously one of the most pro-China Western economies, is taking a more skeptical approach. But that comes with its own risks. https://www.wsj.com/articles/europeand-tiremaker-pirellistruggle-to-de-risk-from-china-47f5ad44

LA Unveils a New Rail Line

New York Times Known as the Regional Connector, the link allows riders to travel from East Los Angeles all the way to Santa Monica without transferring. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/23/us/los-angeles-transit-regional-connector.html

U.S. Faces Pressure to Ease Rules for Sharing Military Technology With Allies

Wall Street Journal Some lawmakers and defense firms warn the Cold War-era regulations stifle collaboration and need to change. https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-faces-pressure-to-ease-rules-for-sharing-military-technology-with-allies-94ec7604

Russian envoy rebuffs reports DPRK starving, admits issues over sanctions

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. And yet, the current hardships cannot be compared to the North Korean Famine of the mid-1990s, when a severe economic crisis was coupled with mass starvation, leading to the deaths of hundreds of thousands of people https://tass.com/society/1637193

Natural Gas Falls

Wall Street Journal Natural gas prices fell on profit-taking after the market closed higher in 12 of the past 15 trading sessions. https://www.wsj.com/articles/natural-gas-slips-but-holding-above-2-50-level-6d1a94b0

Russia Says Bars Entry to More EU Officials Over Fresh Sanctions

Moscow Times The EU has agreed an 11th package of penalties against Russia, including measures aimed at clamping down on evasion of restrictions already in place. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/06/23/russia-says-bars-entry-to-more-eu-officials-over-fresh-sanctions-a81612