Prologue Journal – Page 35260 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Macron’s Plan to Increase the Retirement Age Clears Key Legal Test

New York Times A constitutional council reviewing President Emmanuel Macron’s law upheld an increase in the retirement age, but struck down some sections. Anger over the plan remains high. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/14/world/europe/macron-pension-retirement-ruling.html

Russian financial system stable — Minister

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. “The last year became the year of a challenging adaptation period for the entire financial system of the country,” Anton Siluanov said https://tass.com/economy/1604651

Finland Unveils First Section of Russian Border Fence

Moscow Times https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2023/04/14/finland-unveils-first-section-of-russian-border-fence-a80844

14 Books We Read This Week

Wall Street Journal Great art from troubling artists, the evolutionist who attended séances, the musical journey of Lucinda Williams and more. https://www.wsj.com/articles/14-books-we-read-this-week-6feb61ca

Walmart Shakes Up U.S. Leadership Ranks

Wall Street Journal Charles Redfield, head of merchandising for the retailer’s U.S. stores, is leaving after 32 years. https://www.wsj.com/articles/walmart-shakes-up-u-s-leadership-ranks-5ea48318

Saakashvili’s life depends on Georgia’s ethical decision – Zelenskyy

Pravda Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the life of former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, who has Ukrainian citizenship, now depends on Georgia’s ethical decision. Source: Zelenskyy’s video address on 14 April Quote: “Mikheil Saakashvili’s life now depends not on a political, not on some personal, but purely on an ethical decision. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/14/7397944/

Gas union of Russia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan to strengthen energy security — Lavrov

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. “Russia, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan, including at the level of presidents, have actively advanced in the discussion of this large-scale project,” the Russian foreign minister said https://tass.com/politics/1604647

Billy Waugh, 93, ‘Godfather of the Green Berets,’ Is Dead

New York Times He was a Special Forces soldier during the Vietnam War then worked for the C.I.A., tracking Osama bin Laden in Sudan and fighting in Afghanistan after 9/11. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/14/world/asia/billy-waugh-dead.html

Spanish climber leaves underground cave after 500 days of isolation

Fox News A Spanish mountain climber emerged Friday from a cave 230 feet underground where she spent 500 days isolated from the outside world. Beatriz Flamini, 50, of Madrid, left the cave in southern Spain shortly after 9 a.m. after being told by supporters that she had completed the feat she set out to accomplish…

Russia, Uzbekistan discuss oil supplies — press service

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. “In particular, an opportunity of increasing oil and oil products’ supplies to Uzbekistan and prospects of participation of Rosatom Company in construction of new nuclear power installations were highlighted at the meeting,” the press service said https://tass.com/economy/1604649