Prologue Journal – Page 40220 – Understanding current events through the lenses of the past and future.

Fed Pause Wouldn’t Necessarily Refresh Stock Market

Wall Street Journal Faltering earnings growth and high valuations are factors that could undercut stocks’ tendency to rise after rates peak. https://www.wsj.com/articles/fed-pause-wouldnt-necessarily-refresh-stock-market-29bf83c5

Green-Energy Projects Spark Anti-China Backlash

Wall Street Journal Clean-energy projects involving Chinese companies are dealing with fallout from U.S.-Sino relations. https://www.wsj.com/articles/the-green-energy-factory-facing-a-storm-of-china-backlash-57847a64

Head of Chechnya takes offence at his soldiers captured by Ukraine

Pravda Ukraine Ramzan Kadyrov, Head of Chechnya [Federal Subject of Russia], has blamed his soldiers for being captured by Ukraine and did not meet them after the prisoners of war (POW) exchange. Source: Kadyrov on Telegram “Five Chechen soldiers have come back to Grozny [capital of Chechnya] from Ukrainian captivity. https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/04/16/7398084/

Ukrainian Soldiers Freeze Sperm as a Way to Defy Russia

New York Times Some Ukrainian soldiers are trying to ensure that even if they die in the war, their partner can still build a family. They also want to send Russia a message of defiance. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/16/world/europe/ukraine-soldiers-freeze-sperm.html

Winter Showers (and Showers and Showers) Bring a Bounty of Wildflowers

New York Times The relentless succession of storms in California created conditions for a wondrous display now emerging in the state. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/16/us/superbloom-california.html

Democrats’ favorite green mode of transportation is causing explosions, death

Fox News Electric bicycles, which environmentalists and Democratic lawmakers have touted for their zero-carbon output, are facing increased criticism over the rising number of tragic incidents involving their batteries. According to the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA), so-called e-bikes are powered by lithium-ion batteries which are prone to fires or explosions. And as e-bikes continue…

Supreme Court to Consider a Postal Worker’s Claim of Religious Freedom

New York Times The justices have been receptive to claims of religious freedom and may take a broad view of a federal law that requires employers to “reasonably accommodate” workers’ religious practices. https://www.nytimes.com/2023/04/16/us/supreme-court-religious-freedom-postal-worker.html

Arts Calendar: Happenings for the Week of April 16

Wall Street Journal Ana de Armas proves dating as a spy is tricky, horror master Ari Aster returns with a darkly comedic film, a production of ‘Peter Pan’ goes awry and more. https://www.wsj.com/articles/arts-calendar-happenings-for-the-week-of-april-16-airdigital-3909df20

The lifting of Taiwan’s public transport mask mandate

Taipei, April 16 (CNA) Starting Monday, Taiwan will remove its mask mandate for all forms of public transportation, leaving medical facilities as the last category of venue where masks will still be required. https://focustaiwan.tw/society/202304160005

G7 Foreign Ministers to meet in Japan

Disclaimer: TASS is Russian government propaganda, and not a reliable news source. On the agenda of the meeting, as expected, the main topic will be the situation in Ukraine https://tass.com/world/1604989