April 03, 2024 | Read Online

Good morning. It's Wednesday, April. 3, and we're covering 100 billion Euro military aid for Ukraine, J.K. Rowling pushing back, 5 smartest NFL moves , and much more. First time reading? Sign up here.

American Fact of the Day!

Texas - Texas uses its own power grid, separate from the rest of the United States: There are three power grids in the US: one for states east of the Rocky Mountains, one for states between the Pacific and the Rocky Mountains, and one for Texas. The Texas power grid was established during WWII to make sure all of the Texas factories producing critical war supplies were self-sustainable.

Breaking Updates

NATO Chief Proposes 100 Billion Euro Military Aid for Ukraine

Five unnamed diplomats told the Reuters news service that NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg is expected to propose that the NATO alliance approve a €500 billion (Euro) military aid package for Ukraine for support in that eastern European nation's ongoing war with invading Russia.

Under the plan, NATO would take over some coordination work from a U.S.-led ad-hoc coalition known as the Ramstein group - a step designed in part to guard against any cut in U.S. support if Donald Trump returns to the White House, diplomats said. The proposal is expected to be discussed at a two-day meeting of NATO foreign ministers on Wednesday and Thursday, with the aim of finalising a package in time for a NATO summit in Washington in July.

Diplomats said there was a growing view within NATO that the time had come to put military aid to Ukraine on a more sustainable, long-term footing and the Western alliance was best placed to take on much of that role. Some also said that threats by Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would regard various steps taken by NATO allies as escalatory had not led to retaliatory action against them.

From this, we can conclude that NATO thinks that the Russia-Ukraine conflict will last not only until the U.S. presidential inauguration in January 2025 but possibly until the end of a second Trump term in January 2029. If that is NATO's presumption, that's rather callous and horrifying, that this enormous drain of blood and fortune would continue for five more years.

Scotland Police Won't Punish J.K. Rowling for Pushing Back Against Trans Agenda

Scotland's government recently enacted the Hate Crime and Public Order Act 2021, which is ostensibly intended to address the "rising tide of hatred" in society. The law has stirred controversy due to its broad definitions and the implications for free speech.

The Hate Crime and Public Order (Scotland) Act 2021 makes it a criminal offence to make derogatory comments based on disability, religion, sexual orientation, transgender identity or being intersex.

J.K. Rowling took to X, formerly Twitter, to defiantly rail against Scotland's new law. In a lengthy thread posted on Monday, she highlighted several biological male inmates who claimed to be transgender just before being sentenced for horrific crimes. Some of these individuals were rapists and child abusers.

Rowling then mocked the new law, stating: "Obviously, the people mentioned in the above tweets aren't women at all, but men, every last one of them." One would think this might be a clear violation of the new law. However, the country's police announced that they would not prosecute the author, noting that Rowling's social media posts "are not being treated as criminal."

The fact that Scotland's government would pass such a law is worrisome. While Rowling might not be facing prosecution, others who lack the author's name recognition and financial resources might not be so fortunate. It is likely that many Scotland residents might face the wrath of the pro-trans crowd's use of the government to silence its critics.

American Sports & Culture

MLB Power Rankings: Yankees off to perfect start in 2024, plus whose opening weekend was fool's gold?

The Yankees had the most impressive first weekend in baseball, and we get into fool's gold on April 1

NFL offseason: 5 smartest moves include deals from Eagles, Chiefs and Bears

What were the shrewdest moves of the NFL offseason so far?

New scene at NBA games: Fans screaming at players about their losing bets

The surge in legalized gambling has impacted American sports in ways thought unimaginable, and players and coaches are caught in the middle.

American Business & Markets

"Run Your Way" For Brand Success: A New Balance Perspective On Marketing | Entrepreneur

The secret to success is to free brands from a one-dimensional approach to marketing, because, just as there is no one right way to run, there is no singular approach to developing a brand.

3 Reasons Small Businesses Fail (How to Avoid Them)

Many small businesses fail within the first five years. Understand the top three obstacles that other business owners have faced to keep your business afloat.

Essential Tips to Create Value Together in a Family Business · Babson Thought & Action

In an article from Entrepreneur magazine, Lauri Union shares how family entrepreneurship can create value across generations.

American Politics

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry calls for policy change after LSU women's basketball misses national anthem

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry became the latest figure to criticize LSU women's basketball for not being present during the national anthem before its game against Iowa Monday.