Prologue Journal – Page 39113 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Dissident Chinese artist Ai Weiwei launches new London show

Hong Kong Free Press China feels it has the “right to redefine the global world order”, Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei told AFP on Wednesday ahead of the opening in London of his first design-focused exhibition. Chinese artist Ai Weiwei takes pictures with his phone as he poses in front of his art pieces displayed…

Marlène Schiappa Posed for Playboy (Clothed). France Is Looking, and Talking.

New York Times Critics have questioned the junior minister’s choice of publication, and called the magazine shoot a distraction amid nationwide protests over a new pension law. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/world/europe/france-minister-playboy-marlene-schiappa.html

Morgan Stanley moves ahead with plan for wholly-owned futures company in China, as Beijing accelerates financial opening

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Morgan Stanley’s aim for establishing its wholly-owned futures company in China has made some progress as Beijing officially accepted the application. https://www.scmp.com/business/banking-finance/article/3216210/morgan-stanley-moves-ahead-plan-wholly-owned-futures-company-china-beijing-accelerates-financial?utm_source=rss_feed

Xi and Macron Call for Ukraine Peace Talks, but the Path Is Murky

New York Times It is not clear that the Chinese and French leaders — much less Russia and Ukraine — have compatible terms for talks or peace, and Mr. Xi has not publicly agreed to pressure Moscow to negotiate. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/world/europe/xi-macron-ukraine-russia.html

How Hong Kong can play a role in preventing AI Armageddon

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Regulatory oversight of increasingly powerful AI technology is urgently needed, and Hong Kong, with its world-class universities and trusted regulatory infrastructure, can be a global leader. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3216079/how-hong-kong-can-play-role-preventing-ai-armageddon?utm_source=rss_feed

China’s graduates set for another difficult year as job market heats up, firms ‘never want candidates with no experience’

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Over 11.5 million new university graduates are set to join China’s job market this summer, with the unemployment rate for 16 to 24-year-olds at over 18 per cent, with offers harder to come by…

A Great Man Got Arrested as President

Wall Street Journal Ulysses S. Grant was picked up for ‘fast driving’ in 1872—during his first term in the White House. https://www.wsj.com/articles/a-great-man-got-arrested-as-president-union-civil-war-ulysses-s-grant-new-york-mark-twain-memoirs-cancer-injury-arrest-f908c5e

Hong Kong’s art week success shows city’s triumphant return as a culture hub

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Judging from the appetite and feedback from participants, a bright future awaits the local arts scene and Hong Kong’s ambitions to be an international cultural centre. https://www.scmp.com/comment/opinion/article/3216086/hong-kongs-art-week-success-shows-citys-triumphant-return-culture-hub?utm_source=rss_feed

U.S. Acknowledges Afghanistan Evacuation Should Have Started Sooner

New York Times President Biden’s decision to end a 20-year war in August 2021 led to the swift collapse of the Afghan government and military. His administration has placed heavy blame on his predecessor. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/us/politics/evacuations-afghanistan-war-biden.html

Indian Textbooks Purged of Material Modi’s Party Finds Objectionable

New York Times The changes removed or shrank references to material that the governing party of Prime Minister Narendra Modi finds inconvenient to its Hindu-first vision. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/06/world/asia/india-textbooks-changes.html