Prologue Journal – Page 38941 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

China and France Call for ‘All Efforts to Restore Peace in Ukraine’

New York Times The statement was issued after a three-day summit by Xi Jinping and Emmanuel Macron in China. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/07/world/europe/xi-macron-ukraine.html

Travelling to South Korea just got much easier for 22 countries in Europe, North America and Asia

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The K-ETA electronic travel authorisation, compulsory to enter without a visa, is now being waved for tourists from some countries – but only until December 31, 2024. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3216369/travelling-south-korea-just-got-much-easier-22-countries-europe-north-america-and-asia?utm_source=rss_feed

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

Nine-year-old girl killed as tree falls in Israel’s South

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-738686

95 per cent of approved applicants for Hong Kong talent scheme from mainland China, official figures show

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. As of end of February, 8,797 of applications approved, 463 rejected and 4,564 being processed. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/hong-kong-economy/article/3216367/95-cent-approved-applicants-hong-kong-talent-scheme-mainland-china-official-figures-show?utm_source=rss_feed

Report Details How Authorities Shame, Intimidate Anti-War Russians

Moscow Times The tactics have traditionally been associated with the republic of Chechnya, but have spread to other regions amid the war. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/07/report-details-how-authorities-shame-intimidate-anti-war-russians-a80752

Iran condemns Israeli strikes, Hezbollah says resistance remains ‘vigilant’

Jerusalem Post Lebanon’s Hezbollah deputy leader Sheikh Naim Qassem said in a tweet that resistance is “vigilant” after Thursday’s exchange of fire over the disputed Lebanon-Israel border. https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-738684

Israel to UN: Security Council must condemn Lebanon and Hamas

Jerusalem Post https://www.jpost.com/breaking-news/article-738682