Prologue Journal – Page 39281 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

No casualties, damage in last night’s drone attacks — Crimean authorities

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. According to an aide to the region’s head Oleg Kryuchkov, “all of last night’s attempts to break through our air defenses were repelled” https://tass.com/politics/1614629

New cars, once part of the American dream, now out of reach for many

Washington Post The average price of a new car in the U.S. soared to $48,008 in March, up 30 percent from March 2020, according to Kelley Blue Book. https://www.washingtonpost.com/business/2023/05/07/new-car-market-high-interest-rates/

A caste survey in India could upend politics in world’s largest democracy

Washington Post The Indian state Bihar has taken a historic step in surveying its castes, and the resulting data could fragment the national voter coalition of the governing Bharatiya Janata Party. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/05/india-bihar-caste-survey/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_world

China-US rivalry puts squeeze on South Korea in the Taiwan Strait

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Seoul is expected to stick to its one-China policy but observers note a stronger tone as it moves closer to Washington. https://www.scmp.com/news/china/diplomacy/article/3219545/china-us-rivalry-puts-squeeze-south-korea-taiwan-strait?utm_source=rss_feed

Putin poses arrest dilemma as South African opposition says if Russian-friendly government won’t act, it will

Fox News JOHANNESBURG, South Africa — A U.S.-sanctioned Russian oligarch is accused of making shady deals under sunny skies with South African politicians, the reported real reason why Russian President Vladimir Putin could evade arrest should he make a planned trip to South Africa in August. Oligarch Viktor Vekselberg, said to be close to Putin, has…

Ukraine Launches Wave of Drones at Crimea, Russian Official Says

New York Times It was the latest in a string of reported attacks on Russian-held territory, as Ukraine prepares for an expected counteroffensive. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/07/world/europe/russia-ukraine-crimea.html

Netanyahu: 90% of Palestinian casualties are terrorists

Jerusalem Post Netanyahu insists that Israel will be able to reach all those who seek to harm its citizens. https://www.jpost.com/israel-news/article-742294

Arab League poised to vote on restoring Syria membership

Washington Post Foreign ministers from Arab League member states in Cairo are poised to vote on restoring Syria’s membership to the organization after it was suspended over a decade ago https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/05/07/syria-arab-egypt-saudi-qatar-jordan/11db7996-ecb8-11ed-b67d-a219ec5dfd30_story.html?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_world

Investors Flock to Safety Plays, but Stock ‘FOMO’ Lingers

Wall Street Journal Investors are shying away from risk, turning to defensive stocks and Treasurys, yet they appear equally worried about missing out on a potential stock-market rally. https://www.wsj.com/articles/investors-flock-to-safety-plays-but-stock-fomo-lingers-aa877b5e

Taiwan wishes U.K.’s new hereditary monarch successful reign

Taipei, May 7 (CNA) Taiwan has sent a congratulatory message to the United Kingdom wishing the country’s King Charles a “successful reign,” following the hereditary monarch’s coronation on Saturday, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA). https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202305070006