Prologue Journal – Page 35254 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

French unions to refuse to meet with Macron is he endorses pension reform

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. Sophie Binet urged those who disagree with the pension reform to hold rallies on May 1. https://tass.com/world/1604695

Pushing Back (Saturday Crossword, April 15)

Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/pushing-back-saturday-crossword-april-15-b9031b1

Soap Boxes (Saturday Variety Puzzle, April 15)

Wall Street Journal https://www.wsj.com/articles/soap-boxes-saturday-variety-puzzle-april-15-fc8561dc

Jewish friends of GOP donor associated with Justice Thomas defend him from ‘Nazi fetish’ claims: ‘Foolishness’

Fox News FIRST ON FOX: Members of the Jewish community are rushing to the defense of a GOP donor who is friends with Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas and recently came under fire for possessing Nazi memorabilia in his massive collection of historical artifacts. Real estate developer and Texas resident Harlan Crow has faced scrutiny from…

Summit for Democracy provokes destabilization of global situation — Russian diplomat

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. The US administration, which has initiated two Summits for Democracy, is obviously seeking to “form a kind of a democratic coalition to counter Russia, China, Iran and other countries the Americans have branded as ‘autocracies”, Anatoly Antonov said https://tass.com/politics/1604693

Team DeSantis fires back at Newsom, other Dem governors with postcards celebrating ‘Florida’s freedom’

Fox News EXCLUSIVE: Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ team is firing back at Democrat governors like California Gov. Gavin Newsom who criticized the Sunshine State for its coronavirus policies by providing an update on Florida residents who previously fled from states that imposed “disastrous policies” and “lockdowns.” In a digital postcard to “Democrat governors,” DeSantis’…

First Annual Drop in Rents Since Pandemic Began, Redfin Says

Wall Street Journal “There are fewer people willing to splurge on rentals right now,” Redfin’s chief economist said. https://www.wsj.com/articles/first-annual-drop-in-rents-since-pandemic-began-redfin-says-caeebeb5

Fed to Raise Rates Despite March’s Retail Sales Drop

Wall Street Journal Despite a slowdown in retail sales in March, first-quarter consumption could still be high enough to persuade the Federal Reserve to raise interest rates by a final 25 basis points in early May, Paul Ashworth, chief U.S. economist at Capital Economics, writes in a note. https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-to-raise-rates-despite-marchs-retail-sales-drop-a527b4d0

Traces of Ancient Uzbekistan

Wall Street Journal After years of cultural diplomacy, seldom-seen artworks and newly excavated artifacts from the Central Asian nation will go on display in Berlin. https://www.wsj.com/articles/traces-of-ancient-uzbekistan-c3a11a76

Dem Rep Tony Cardenas accepted prohibited lobbyist cash to legal defense fund, ethics complaint alleges

Fox News California Democratic Rep. Tony Cárdenas accepted thousands of dollars from a registered lobbyist to his legal defense fund long after the alleged victim dismissed a lawsuit against him, according to a government watchdog group. On Friday, the Foundation for Accountability and Civic Trust (FACT) filed a complaint to the Office of Congressional Ethics calling for…