Author: Thomas L. Knapp

Replacing student loans with sponsorship

Source: Adam Smith Institute
by Madsen Pirie

“Please excuse me for returning yet again to a solution to the UK student loans system. At present, graduates are burdened with debt that can climb, despite repayments, because of interest charges. It would be difficult for taxpayers to fund student costs, given that it would involve poorer people (for the most part) paying higher taxes so that those less poor could be given access to higher incomes in later life. The money has to come from somewhere, but if not from students themselves or taxpayers, then from whom? The obvious answer is business sponsorship of students.” (04/22/26)

https://www.adamsmith.org/blog/replacing-student-loans-with-sponsorship

Thomas L. Knapp

Led by Republicans, Americans’ Support for NATO Fades

Source: Reason
by JD Tuccille

“President Donald Trump’s doubts about the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) date back at least to the 1980s, when he took out full-page newspaper ads questioning the value of defending prosperous allies capable of paying for their own security. So, when he voices frustration with the alliance and the lack of support among its members for the U.S. and Israeli campaign against Iran’s theocratic regime, it’s not a new development. What’s new is growing disenchantment with NATO among Americans, led by the president’s Republican supporters.” (04/22/26)

https://reason.com/2026/04/22/led-by-republicans-americans-support-for-nato-fades/

Thomas L. Knapp

Nigeria: Tinubu replaces finance minister in surprise reshuffle

Source: Semafor

“Nigerian President Bola Tinubu replaced his finance minister, the architect of a radical economic policy overhaul, less than a year before elections in a surprise reshuffle. Wale Edun, a former World Bank official and investment banker, was replaced by Taiwo Oyedele, a junior finance minister who oversaw a revamp of the country’s tax system, in Tinubu’s most high-profile cabinet reshuffle since taking office three years ago. It was not immediately clear, however, if the move marked a change of direction at the finance ministry. Edun’s tenure has been marked by an aggressive push to overhaul sub-Saharan Africa’s second-largest economy after two recessions within a decade, leading to an uptick in foreign direct investment inflows. However, Nigeria’s debt burden has shot up thanks to increased government spending.” (04/22/26)

https://www.semafor.com/article/04/22/2026/nigerias-tinubu-replaces-finance-minister-in-surprise-reshuffle

Thomas L. Knapp

The Untapped Potential of Organized Mainline American Protestantism

Source: Liberal Currents
by Holly Berkley Fletcher

“Around the country, Mainline Protestant churches are stepping up to help organizing the resistance to ICE’s incursions into their communities.” (04/22/26)

https://www.liberalcurrents.com/the-untapped-potential-of-organized-mainline-american-protestantism/

Thomas L. Knapp