Prologue Journal – Page 39245 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

CFE Treaty now entirely obsolete, Russian diplomat says

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. It is noted that the CFE Treaty had played a positive role in ensuring European security in the final stages of the Cold War, but after the dissolution of the Warsaw Pact its parameters needed to be updated https://tass.com/politics/1616431

U.S. Explores ‘Narrow’ Sanctions Relief to Free Gershkovich, Whelan From Russia – Reports

Moscow Times Possible “narrow sanctions relief” on the FSB is part of U.S. efforts to come up with “creative offers” that could “gin up” interest in a prisoner swap. https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/05/12/us-explores-narrow-sanctions-relief-to-free-gershkovich-whelan-from-russia-reports-a81110

Bank of Russia sells foreign currency worth $25 mln with settlements on May 11

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. The Russian Finance Ministry resumed FX sell operations in the domestic FX market as part of the new fiscal rule mechanism on January 13, 2023 https://tass.com/economy/1616427

Shabbat candle-lighting times for Israel and US

Jerusalem Post See Shabbat times for your area. https://www.jpost.com/judaism/article-742851

Former top Chinese court judge Shen Deyong pleads guilty to taking US$9 million in bribes

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Shen expresses remorse for accepting bribes between 1995 and 2022 during his trial in eastern China. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3220349/china-former-supreme-peoples-court-judge-shen-deyong-pleads-guilty-accepting-bribes-more-us9-million?utm_source=rss_feed

‘Long way to go’: Pakistan’s ex-PM Imran Khan appears in court as government vows to rearrest him

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The government has vowed to rearrest Khan should he be denied bail in his hearing today, setting the stage for more unrest. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3220348/long-way-go-pakistans-ex-pm-imran-khan-appears-court-government-vows-rearrest-him?utm_source=rss_feed

Gas supply by Gazprom for Europe through Ukraine totals 40.7 mcm via Sudzha

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. The heating season in Europe ended on April 6 https://tass.com/economy/1616425

Gay Games is a time for Hong Kong to show the world its tolerant, welcoming side

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Closed-mindedness is not in keeping with Hong Kong’s role as a centre for international cultural exchange and a site of cultural experimentation and reform. Rather than more politicisation, the city needs to go back…

China to send special envoy to visit Ukraine, Russia

Hong Kong Free Press China will send a special envoy to Ukraine, Russia and other European nations from Monday, Beijing said on Friday, the highest-ranking Chinese diplomat to visit the war-torn country since Moscow’s invasion last year. From Ukraine to the Middle East, Beijing in recent months has sought to position itself as a mediator…

Chinese envoy to visit Kiev, Moscow, EU on May 15 for consultations on Ukraine — MFA

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. It was also recalled that in February, China published a document on the settlement of the conflict in Ukraine https://tass.com/world/1616423