Prologue Journal – Page 40182 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

US debt burden close to being out of bounds — investor

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. In February of this year, the overall amount of the US federal debt crossed the mark of $31 trillion and surpassed the previous record, accounting for 125% of GDP https://tass.com/economy/1605145

BREAKING: Hong Kong activist Joshua Wong jailed for 3 months over doxxing police officer involved in Sai Wan Ho shooting

Hong Kong Free Press Hong Kong pro-democracy activist Joshua Wong has been jailed for three months for doxxing a police officer involved in a live-round shooting during the 2019 extradition bill protests. Wong, 26, appeared in front of Judge Russell Coleman for sentencing at the High Court on Monday. The activist had previously admitted liability…

Taiwan stands to lose investment, supply chains, if PLA keeps up military drills

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Analysts say multinationals, including Taiwan’s prized semiconductor firms, are expected to double down on searches for production sites elsewhere as cross-strait tensions rise after the latest round of People’s Liberation Army (PLA) drills. https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3217076/taiwan-stands-lose-investment-supply-chains-if-pla-keeps-military-drills?utm_source=rss_feed

Hong Kong consumer watchdog warns of heavy metals and pesticides in dried goji berries, 2 samples exceed European limit for lead

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. Consumer Council urges industry to reduce pesticide use and pest control methods to cut health and environmental risks. https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3217284/hong-kong-consumer-watchdog-warns-heavy-metals-and-pesticides-dried-goji-berries-2-samples-exceed?utm_source=rss_feed

Visit to show support for Taiwan, for maintaining status quo: French lawmaker

Taoyuan, April 17 (CNA) Their visit is meant to show support toward Taiwan and to reiterate that France’s stance favoring maintaining the Taiwan Strait status quo has not changed, French lawmaker Eric Bothorel told reporters at the Taoyuan International Airport Monday. https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/202304170005

Rep. Harshbarger endorses Donald Trump to be president: ‘Biden administration has failed us’

Fox News Rep. Diana Harshbarger, R-Tenn., has endorsed former President Donald Trump and has joined his campaign leadership team, she revealed in a statement Sunday evening. “As we face unprecedented challenges that threaten the American way of life, it’s clear that the Biden administration has failed us,” her campaign said. “Our economy teeters on the…

Japan marvels at heroics of fishermen who subdued PM Kishida’s smoke-bomb attacker

Disclaimer: The South China Morning Post’s content is directed by the Chinese Communist Party. It is not a reliable news source. The fishermen sprang into action as soon as they saw an object flying overhead towards Japan’s prime minister. Their heroics prompted many online to wonder if they were plain-clothes police officers. https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/east-asia/article/3217281/japan-marvels-heroics-fishermen-who-subdued-pm-kishidas-smoke-bomb-attacker?utm_source=rss_feed

Your Monday Briefing

New York Times Chaotic fighting in Sudan. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/17/briefing/sudan-fighting-trans-ukraine-grain.html

Abs-olutely! (Monday Crossword, April 17)

Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/abs-olutely-monday-crossword-april-17-89610ba8

The ‘old Europe’ vs. ‘new Europe’ paradigm is back

Washington Post Former secretary of defense Donald H. Rumsfeld’s rubric of an “old Europe” juxtaposed against a more vibrant — and, from Washington’s perspective, amenable — “new” Europe endures, 20 years later. https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2023/04/17/old-europe-new-rumsfeld-eastern-europe/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=referral&utm_campaign=wp_world