Prologue Journal – Page 40129 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

The New and Improved IRS?

Wall Street Journal Here’s what you’ll be getting this tax season for the $80 billion in new funding. https://www.wsj.com/articles/irs-funding-80-billion-danny-werfel-report-audits-taxes-congress-taxpayers-6764d235

China will require AI to reflect socialist values, not challenge social order

Fox News China on Tuesday revealed its proposed assessment measures for prospective generative artificial intelligence (AI) tools, telling companies they must submit their products before launching to the public. The Cyberspace Administration of China (CAC) proposed the measures in order to prevent discriminatory content, false information and content with the potential to harm personal privacy…

Mexican tourist fatally shot in Caribbean coast resort of Tulum

Fox News A Mexican tourist has been shot to death in the Caribbean coast resort of Tulum in a dramatic robbery at a U.S. chain coffee shop, prosecutors and police said Tuesday. The tourist apparently refused to hand over an expensive watch he was wearing, and was shot by the robbers. Video of the killing…

Clarence Thomas Report Puts Spotlight on Harlan Crow, an Eccentric Billionaire

New York Times The justice’s relationship with Harlan Crow has raised questions about whether a friendship can be separated from politics and intensified calls for an ethics code for the justices. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/us/politics/clarence-thomas-harlan-crow.html

Russia Moves to Make Draft Evasion More Difficult

New York Times A new law would bar anyone called up to fight in Ukraine from leaving the country, among other restrictions, even as the Kremlin insists it is not planning a new conscription. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/world/europe/russia-military-draft-ukraine.html

Australia Shares on Track to Open Higher

Wall Street Journal Australia’s S&P/ASX 200 is set to open higher, despite a mixed close on Wall Street, which was dragged down by weakness in tech shares. https://www.wsj.com/articles/australia-shares-on-track-to-open-higher-54f92709

Biden to Celebrate Diplomacy, and His Own Irish Roots, in Belfast

New York Times President Biden will mark the 25th anniversary of the Good Friday Agreement in Northern Ireland before paying homage to his own Irish ancestry. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/11/us/politics/biden-belfast-ireland-visit.html

Israel cancels Gaza Christians’ travel permits for Orthodox Easter – report

Jerusalem Post Amid recent tensions at the Gaza, Lebanon and Syria borders boiling over, Israel reportedly canceled travel permits for Gazan Christians for the upcoming feast. https://www.jpost.com/christianworld/article-739003

FACT SHEET: U.S.- Philippines 2+2 Ministerial Dialogue

Defense.gov Secretary of Defense Austin and Secretary of State Blinken and their Philippine counterparts Secretary of Foreign Affairs Manalo and Philippines Secretary of National Defense Galvez convened the third U.S.-Philippines Ministerial Dialogue in Washington, D.C. https://www.defense.gov/News/Releases/Release/Article/3359459/fact-sheet-us-philippines-22-ministerial-dialogue/

Massachusetts House Speaker unveils $654M tax cut plan

Fox News Massachusetts House Speaker Ronald Mariano on Tuesday unveiled a $654 million tax cut proposal for the 2024 fiscal year aimed at helping seniors, renters, businesses and wealthier homeowners while rewriting the law that sent about $3 billion back to taxpayers last year. The plan, which would increase to $1.1 billion in tax relief…