Prologue Journal – Page 38555 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

U.S. Backs Sale of Citgo to Pay Venezuela’s Debts

Wall Street Journal The federal government says it intends to strip Venezuela’s Citgo of protections against seizure to make way for a forced sale of the oil refiner. https://www.wsj.com/articles/u-s-backs-sale-of-citgo-to-pay-venezuelas-debts-1c56228a

Special vehicles cannot enter Avdiivka due to Russian attacks, people remain trapped under rubble

Pravda Ukraine Emergency workers cannot pull people out from under the rubble in the city of Avdiivka in Donetsk Oblast because they need special vehicles to clear the debris. Emergency workers cannot enter the city because of the Russian attacks. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/05/1/7400181/

First Republic Bank Is Seized and Sold to JPMorgan

Wall Street Journal The deal will see JPMorgan take on all of First Republic’s $103.9 billion in deposits and buy most of its $229.1 billion in assets. First Republic shares sank to less than $2 premarket. https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-republic-bank-is-seized-and-sold-to-jpmorgan-ad8a6d62

Ukrainian Ambassador to Ireland calls on to boycott Jameson whiskey after Russian supply resumes

Pravda Ukraine https://www.eurointegration.com.ua/eng/news/2023/05/1/7160767/

Russian missile barrage rains down on Kyiv as Ukraine prepares counteroffensive

Fox News A barrage of Russian missiles rained down on Kyiv and the rest of Ukraine on Monday, while Ukrainian forces are preparing for an expected counteroffensive in the coming days. Kyiv’s air raid sirens blared for hours throughout the day as Russia launched 18 cruise missiles and an unknown number of drones at the…

Caroline Polachek’s Self-Care Is Ignoring Everyone’s Text Messages

Wall Street Journal The singer and songwriter talks about her new album, ‘Desire, I Want to Turn Into You,’ and playing the biggest venues of her career. https://www.wsj.com/articles/caroline-polachek-tour-interview-8d568e6d

The 20-Minute Scene That Took 20 Artists, Two Countries and More Than a Year to Pull Off

Wall Street Journal A crafty sequence in the new Joaquin Phoenix movie ‘Beau Is Afraid’ includes animated plants and a hand-drawn storm meant to help convey a mental breakdown. https://www.wsj.com/articles/beau-is-afraid-animated-scene-movie-735f6f72

How far will HK$40 go in Hong Kong? New minimum wage takes effect amid city’s rising living costs

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Increase to city’s minimum hourly wage expected to affect 87,000 people, mostly those in security and cleaning jobs. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3219040/how-far-will-hk40-go-hong-kong-new-minimum-wage-takes-effect-amid-citys-rising-living-costs?utm_source=rss_feed

Israeli hi-tech runs risk of splitting thanks to global market uncertainty

Jerusalem Post The gap between the technological stock index return on the Tel Aviv Stock Exchange and that of Nasdaq is increasing, raising fears of a “splitting.” https://www.jpost.com/business-and-innovation/tech-and-start-ups/article-741761

Explosion Derails Freight Train in Bryansk Region of Russia, Local Official Says

New York Times The blast was the latest in a spate of apparent attacks to hit the area bordering Ukraine. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/01/world/europe/explosion-train-derailment-bryansk.html