Prologue Journal – Page 39209 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

South Korea Wants More Babies, Just Not in These Places

New York Times Hundreds of restaurants, museums, cafes and other public establishments in the country ban children from entering. One lawmaker is pushing to get rid of the policy. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/16/world/asia/korea-no-kids-zones.html

Telecom Italia Hit as CDP Reportedly Pulls Bid

Wall Street Journal Telecom Italia shares fell after Bloomberg reported that Italian state lender CDP planned to pull out of the bidding process for the teleco’s fixed-network assets. https://www.wsj.com/articles/telecom-italia-shares-fall-after-report-of-netco-bidder-pulling-out-8668ca1c

China’s Youth Unemployment Tops 20% Amid Signs of Stalling Recovery

Wall Street Journal China’s youth unemployment rate rose above 20% for the first time since Beijing began tracking the data five years ago. https://www.wsj.com/articles/chinas-youth-unemployment-tops-20-amid-signs-of-stalling-recovery-cea320ef

Russian tech firm testing Marker robot with missile armament

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. “Work is underway to fine-tune the technologies of using various solutions, such as the payloads involving small arms, grenade launchers and also such missile armament as Kornet weapons to fight enemy forces,” the executive director said https://tass.com/defense/1617991

FSB recruits ISIL fighters to send them as “agents” to Ukraine

Pravda Ukraine The Federal Security Service of the Russian Federation (FSB) is recruiting former militants of the terrorist Islamic State (ISIL) and trying to introduce them as its “agents” into Ukrainian battalions. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/05/16/7402407/

Leading Chinese advocacy group Beijing LGBT Center closes down, citing ‘unpreventable circumstances’

Hong Kong Free Press The Beijing LGBT Center, one of China’s leading organisations offering support for the queer population, has announced the end of its operations. The group, founded in 2008, provided the local gay, lesbian and transgender community with mental health therapy, medical resources and social support. A gay student posing with a rainbow…

State Investigation Bureau served serviceman who surrendered 277 marines in Mariupol with notice of suspicion

Pravda Ukraine The State Bureau of Investigation (SBI) has served Kostiantyn Bezsmertnyi, the head of the material service of the 501st Separate Marine Brigade, with a notice of suspicion. He deceived marines into surrendering in Mariupol in April last year and cancelled the suspicions of 277 fighters who were accused of desertion. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/05/16/7402404/

Beijing LGBT Center closes its doors, a blow for diversity in China

Washington Post The move coincided with a new milestone for same-sex couples in Taiwan – they can now adopt – and underscored the lack of progress on LGBTQ issues in China. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/16/china-lgbt-beijing-center-closed/

Situation in Artyomovsk ‘tense’, but Russian forces continue to advance, says DPR head

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. Denis Pushilin pointed out that the situation on the flanks is not easy, as active combat operations continue due to Ukraine’s redeployment of reserves https://tass.com/politics/1617985

TSMC shares soar almost 2% despite Bershire’s exit from stock

Taipei, May 16 (CNA) Shares of contract chipmaker Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co. (TSMC) ended sharply higher Tuesday, even though Berkshire Hathaway Inc. announced overnight that it had cut its holdings in the Taiwanese chipmaker to zero. https://focustaiwan.tw/business/202305160007