Wallstone News - 04-07-2023

Writer's Words of Weirdness

Once upon a time, there was a writer who found himself in a rather peculiar situation. You see, he was sitting at his desk, trying to come up with the perfect article to share with his readers. Unfortunately, he had fallen ill and had been sleeping far too much for his liking.

As it turns out, the writer in question had some health issues that had been weighing him down. He struggled with diabetes and was carrying around a lot more weight than he would like. That, coupled with a bout of Covid-19 back in January, meant that he hadn't been feeling his best and had been slower to recover than he would have hoped. It was affecting his day job, and threatening his livelihood.

Despite all of this, the writer tried to soldier on. He was hoping his readers had come to like his articles and was determined to deliver something of value to them. So, he got to work, pouring his heart into every keystroke and crafting a set of news stories that he hoped would bring a bit of joy and laughter to those who read them.

As he looked back on his experience, the writer realized that life can be unpredictable at times. Sometimes we get sick, and sometimes things just don't go according to plan. But even when things seem tough, it's important to always hold onto hope for the future.

In the end, the writer knew that some things just are. He couldn't change his health issues or the fact that he had been struck down by Covid-19. But what he could do, and what he did do, was soldier on and keep pushing forward, even when it felt like the odds were stacked against him.

And so, dear readers, the message is clear: life can be tough, but we are tougher. No matter what comes our way, let's always hold onto hope and keep moving forward, one keystroke at a time.

Oh, yeah! That writer? He's me! And that's why I've fallen behind on doing the weekly #WallstoneNews release. It might be compacted regurgitated versions of the news you get elsewhere, but I'm hoping you like it anyway!

Reagan Library Gets Sanctioned by China

China has taken action against two American-based think tanks and specific individuals whom they believe have supported Taiwan's separatist activities. The Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs made this announcement, stating that the Hudson Institute think tank and the Reagan Library, along with several people in leadership positions in these organizations, would have their properties and financial assets in China frozen.

The individuals targeted by the sanctions include Sarah May Stern, the chair of the Hudson Institute board of directors, John P. Walters, the director of the Hudson Institute, John Heubusch, the former executive director of the Reagan Foundation, and Joanne M. Drake, the chief administrative officer of the Reagan Foundation.

During her recent visit to the United States, Taiwan's president, Tsai Ing-wen, received a leadership award from the Hudson Institute and spoke about Taiwan's security issues in the region. Consequently, the individuals in leadership positions of the targeted organizations will now be barred from working with Chinese organizations and prohibited from traveling to China.

The Council of Asian Liberals and Democrats is a regional organization, based in Thailand, that promotes the exchange of ideas among liberal and democratic political parties in Asia. Taiwan's Prospect Foundation is a think tank focused on cooperation regarding Taiwan's security, economy, and social development, while the Democratic Progressive Party of Taiwan is one of its members.

Additionally, Hsiao Bi-Khim, Taiwan's representative in the United States, received further restrictions from the Taiwan Affairs Office. This is the second time the restriction has been imposed against Hsiao Bi-Khim, and it includes a ban on her travels to China and Hong Kong. Her organization and its financial supporters are also banned from operating in China.

Overall, China has imposed sanctions on American-based organizations and certain individuals who they believe supported Taiwan's separatist activities. The sanctions will limit their travels as well as their engagements with Chinese organizations.

Should Trump Be Quiet During His Trial?

Donald Trump has come under fire as his attorneys are currently being investigated for their alleged efforts to influence the election outcome in Georgia. While on the other hand, Alvin Bragg, who is vying for the Manhattan District Attorney post, is under scrutiny for his statement to 'decline to prosecute' many high-profile cases. Although both instances seem different, they are closely related.

Specifically, Trump's attorneys are being investigated over alleged claims made in a phone call between Trump and Georgia Secretary of State Brad Raffensperger. Reports suggest that Trump threatened to alter the state's election outcome. However, Trump's legal team is making efforts to prove that there was no malice in the phone call.

On the other hand, Alvin Bragg, who is contesting for the Democratic nomination, has promised to focus on crime prevention programs rather than emphasizing prosecution, specifically in high-profile cases. This way, he believes that alternatives can be found to reduce crime while keeping people safe.

The two cases, although different, do have a close relationship. While Trump's lawyers are trying to defend his policies, Alvin Bragg is attempting to reform the approach to criminal cases. Although their procedures differ, they both aim to solve an issue in their own unique ways. However, it remains to be seen how these issues will be resolved.

Is Russia Stealing from Ukraine Like The Nazis Did During WW2?

Russia is accused of stealing thousands of works of art from Ukraine, which is being likened to the thefts committed by the Nazis during World War II. These artworks were reportedly taken during the ongoing conflict between Russia and Ukraine.

According to the director of Ukraine's national museum, more than 10,000 pieces of artwork were stolen from Ukrainian museums during the past seven years. Among these stolen artworks are some that are of great historical and cultural value.

Ukraine has been requesting the return of these artworks from Russia, but the requests have not been fulfilled. Ukraine's government is now calling on the international community to help retrieve these stolen treasures.

The Ukrainian government has accused Russia of using cultural artifacts as a way to undermine Ukraine's sovereignty and lay claim to its territory. This is because these artifacts represent Ukraine's cultural heritage and identity.

The situation has been described as a cultural war between Russia and Ukraine, with the latter fighting to preserve its cultural heritage. This issue also highlights the importance of protecting cultural artifacts during times of conflict, as they are often at risk of being destroyed, damaged, or stolen.

Overall, the theft of these artworks is a serious issue that not only affects Ukraine but also the global community. It is important for countries to work together to prevent the theft and destruction of cultural artifacts during times of conflict.

#WallstoneNews