CC™ VideoSpective
CREDITS - GEOPOLITICAL ECONOMY REPORT
Saturday
Tinubu swings into action, orders manhunt for killers of presumed travelling northern hunters in Edo State
CC™ PersPective
By Ireti Adepoju
Nigeria’s leader, President Bola Tinubu has strongly denounced the killing of traveling hunters reportedly intercepted by local vigilantes in the Uromi community of Esan North Local Government, Edo State.
Expressing deep shock at the heinous incident, the President issued a directive on Thursday for the Police and other security agencies to promptly conduct thorough investigations and ensure that those responsible face appropriate consequences.
In a statement released by the presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu extended his heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and assured them that perpetrators would not escape justice for their actions.
Emphasizing that vigilante justice has no place in Nigeria, the President affirmed every Nigerian's right to move freely across the nation without fear.
Additionally, Tinubu praised the quick response of Edo State governor, Senator Monday Okpebholo, and the community leaders in Uromi for their efforts in preventing further escalation of the situation.
Observers have however commented on the hypocrisy of the president’s timely response, given the propensity of the federal government to drag its feet, if the same atrocity had been committed against Christians and Southern Nigerians, as has been the case for close to two decades now.
#JusticeForAllNigerians #PoliticalDoubleStandard #NigeriaSecurity
Thursday
South Africa Used Ineligible Player In World Cup Qualifier Against Lesotho
CC™ PersPective
South Africa, currently leading Group C in the 2026 FIFA World Cup Africa qualifiers, faces potential consequences for fielding an ineligible player in their recent 2-0 victory against Lesotho last Friday.
The South African midfielder in question, Teboho Mokoena, had accumulated two yellow cards in prior matches, which disqualified him from participating in the game against Lesotho.
Mokoena received his first yellow card during a 2-1 home win against the Benin Republic in November 2023 and was cautioned again in a 3-1 victory over Zimbabwe in June 2024.
Despite this, he was included in the starting lineup against Lesotho, where he played 82 minutes before being substituted for Thalente Mbatha.
FIFA’s qualifying regulations stipulate that a player who accumulates two yellow cards is ineligible to compete in subsequent matches.
According to FIFA guidelines, players or team officials must automatically be suspended after receiving two cautions either in one match or across different matches in the competition.
There is an opportunity for Nigeria or Lesotho—who currently trail South Africa by four points in the group—to formally protest this situation. However, any protest needs to be submitted promptly.
FIFA states that concerns regarding player eligibility must be presented in writing to the FIFA Match Commissioner within two hours of the match, followed by a full report within 24 hours to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee. If the deadline is not met, the protest may be disregarded.
If the protest is successful, Lesotho could be awarded three points, bringing their total to eight. This outcome could significantly alter the standings, allowing Nigeria to possibly overtake South Africa, depending on the results of upcoming matches.
As it stands, South Africa leads the group with 10 points, followed closely by the Benin Republic with eight points, Rwanda with seven points, and Nigeria in fourth place with six points after five matches. Looking ahead, South Africa’s upcoming match against the Benin Republic will be crucial in determining their position in this competitive group.
Wednesday
Tesla’s EU sales fall 49% in first two months of 2025
CC™ PersPective
By Global NewsDesk
European sales of Tesla electric cars dropped 49 percent in January-February compared with the same period a year earlier, the ACEA manufacturers’ association said Tuesday.
Aging models are one factor behind the plunge so far this year, but e-vehicle clients may also be refusing to buy in protest of Tesla’s billionaire owner Elon Musk since he became a key supporter of US President Donald Trump.
Musk has been leading a vocal and divisive cost-cutting drive at the head of the newly created Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE).
Several Tesla dealerships around the United States have been vandalised in recent weeks and the company’s stock price has plummeted over the past month.
New Tesla registrations in the European Union fell to 19,046 in the first two months of the year, giving the company a market share of just 1.1 percent, the ACEA said.
In February alone, Tesla registrations were down 47 percent at 11,743.
The sales drop came even as overall electric vehicle sales jumped 28.4 percent over the first two months of this year to 255,489 — for an EU market share of 15.2 percent.
But for ACEA director general Sigrid de Vries, “The latest new car registration figures confirm that market demand for battery electric vehicles remains below the level needed for the transition to zero-emission mobility to progress.”
She cited a need for tax and purchasing incentives for clients and investments in recharging stations, at a time when the EU is preparing to ease emission reduction targets for struggling European automakers.
Hybrid-electric vehicles continued to be the biggest market segment in the first two months of the year, rising to 594,059 registrations — for a 35.2 percent market share.
That outpaced both petrol and diesel models, with market shares of 29.1 percent and 9.7 percent in February.
Monday
South Korea Court reinstates impeached PM Han Duck-soo as Acting President
CC™ PersPective
By Global NewsDesk
South Korea’s Constitutional Court dismissed the impeachment of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Monday, reinstating him as acting president — a role he took after the president was suspended for declaring martial law.
The court ruling is the latest development in South Korea’s complex and sprawling political crisis, which President Yoon Suk Yeol started with a short-lived attempt to subvert civilian rule in December.
Lawmakers defied armed soldiers at parliament to vote down Yoon’s December 3 martial law declaration and impeached him soon after, with Han stepping in as acting president.
But he was himself impeached by lawmakers just weeks later over his purported involvement in the martial law debacle, plus a dispute over judicial appointments.
“The Constitutional Court has rendered a decision to reject the impeachment trial request against Prime Minister Han Duck-soo,” the court said Monday in a statement.
The court ruled five-to-one against Han’s impeachment, with two judges arguing the case should not have made it to court as lawmakers did not have a super majority to impeach him in the first place.
Han’s actions while in office “cannot be seen as constituting a betrayal of the people’s trust indirectly granted through the President” the court ruled.
The decision is effective immediately and cannot be appealed.
Han, who immediately resumed the acting presidency Monday, thanked the Constitutional Court for its “wise decision”.
“I believe that all citizens are clearly speaking out against the highly polarised political sphere. I think there is no place for division now. Our country’s priority is to move forward,” he added.
The court’s decision was closely watched as it comes ahead of a highly anticipated ruling on suspended President Yoon’s impeachment, the date of which has not yet been announced.
Despite experts predicting a verdict on that case by mid-March, the Constitutional Court has yet to rule, making Yoon’s case the longest deliberation in its history.
The leader of the opposition, Lee Jae-myung, said the verdict on Han should not be “disrespected” but urged the Constitutional Court to move more swiftly on Yoon’s case.
“The entire nation is losing sleep over Yoon Suk Yeol’s illegal military coup,” he said, adding it was “hard to fathom why the Constitutional Court continues to postpone the ruling date.”
“Every day, every hour, every minute, every second, the international trust in the Republic of Korea is being broken, the economic damage is mounting,” he added.
If Yoon’s impeachment is upheld, South Korea must hold fresh elections within 60 days of the verdict.
Monday’s ruling “does not have a direct legal correlation with the pending decision on Yoon’s impeachment,” Yoo Jung-hoon, attorney and political commentator stressed to reporters.
“The judges did not deliberate on the legality of martial law but rather on Han’s involvement in the case,” he said.
Yoon was suspended by parliament in December.
He was arrested in January in a dawn raid in connection to a separate criminal investigation on insurrection charges, which are not covered by presidential immunity.
Yoon is the first sitting South Korean president to stand trial in a criminal case.
He was released from detention in early March on procedural grounds, a move that has appeared to invigorate his supporters.
Hundreds of thousands of South Koreans took to the streets over the weekend, as rallies for and against Yoon intensified ahead of the court verdict.
Lawmaker Kweon Seong-dong from Yoon’s ruling People Power Party told reporters at the National Assembly that Han’s reinstatement was welcome.
The opposition who impeached him should “apologize to the people for paralyzing state affairs for 87 days with a hasty impeachment bid,” which was done for political purposes, Kweon added.
Sunday
They Lied About The Pharaohs - The Africanity (Blackness) Of Ancient Egypt
CC™ VideoSpective
CREDITS: MR. IMHOTEP MEDIA
Saturday
Rewarding Graft and Incompetence - Patrice Motsepe re-elected as CAF President
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| Infantino’s CAF Influence |
CC™ PersPective
South African businessman, Dr Patrice Motsepe has been re-elected unopposed as President of the Confédération Africaine de Football (CAF) for a second four-year term.
The decision was confirmed at the 14th CAF Extraordinary General Assembly in Cairo on Wednesday, extending his leadership of the organization until 2029.
Motsepe’s re-election comes after a first term widely praised for stabilizing CAF’s finances and boosting its global profile. Under his leadership, the organization set several new records at the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) Cote d’Ivoire 2023, attracting a record 1.4 billion viewers worldwide.
Prize money for major tournaments, including the TotalEnergies CAF Champions League and TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, has also increased significantly, alongside enhanced financial support for Member Associations.
In the midst of the much vaunted successes under his leadership, apart from accusations of sectional bias against historically successful sub-regional football bodies like the West African Football Union (WAFU), Motsepe has so far failed to stamp out acerbic corruption within CAF.
Motsepe, 63, faced no opposition after the nomination deadline passed in November 2024. His decision to run again followed requests from Member Association Presidents and key stakeholders.
Motsepe also emphasized his administration’s commitment to transparency and integrity in football governance.
Addressing stadium infrastructure challenges, Motsepe highlighted the strides made under his leadership.
“Now, we have 12 nations who are not playing home games in their countries. Previously, it was 38 nations, but we want to make sure everyone can have a standard stadium and play their matches at home.”
Dr Motsepe’s unopposed re-election reflects both confidence in his leadership and the desire to see him elevate African football to new heights. On CAF’s executive committee, five others were elected unopposed alongside Samuel Eto’o.
Mustapha Ishola Raji of Liberia retained his seat for another four years, while Bestine Kazadi Ditabala (Democratic Republic of Congo), Wallace Karia (Tanzania), Kurt Simeon-Okraku (Ghana), and Sadi Walid (Algeria) are new to the committee.
Elvis Chetty of the Seychelles lost his place when Feizal Sidat (Mozambique) and Samir Sobha of Mauritius were voted in to represent Southern Africa.
Friday
British Citizen Phil Craig Seeks To Carve Out Western Cape As Independent White Homeland From South Africa
CC™ VideoSpective
CREDITS: DAILY UPDATES ZA MEDIA
Thursday
US Federal Judge Blocks DOGE From Accessing Social Security Data of Millions of Americans
CC™ PersPective
A federal judge has barred Elon Musk’s Department of Government Efficiency from accessing sensitive systems at the Social Security Administration, saying the group appears to be on a “fishing expedition” that could jeopardize the data of millions of people.
“The DOGE Team is essentially engaged in a fishing expedition at SSA, in search of a fraud epidemic, based on little more than suspicion,” said U.S. District Judge Ellen Hollander in a 137-page ruling. “It has launched a search for the proverbial needle in the haystack, without any concrete knowledge that the needle is actually in the haystack.”
Hollander, a Maryland-based appointee of President Barack Obama, ordered an immediate halt to the DOGE Social Security team’s access to any systems that contain sensitive data of Social Security recipients. She ordered Musk, DOGE and other affiliates to destroy any non-anonymized data they’ve obtained.
Wednesday
Again, Fulani Terrorists On Rampage In Ondo State, Southwest Nigeria
CC™ PersPective
At least, five farmers have been killed again in Ondo State by gunmen suspected to be armed herders.
The farmers were killed in the early hours of Wednesday after the armed herders invaded a farming settlement in Aba Oyinbo, Akure North Local Council Area of the state.
The latest killing comes about two weeks after over 20 farmers were murdered during a midnight invasion of four communities in Ala Elefosan.
Meanwhile, residents of the state, angered by the development, stormed the Governor’s Office, lamenting the government’s inability to put a stop to the incessant attacks and killings.
The protesters, who shut down the Governor’s Office, also barricaded roads in the state, leaving commuters and motorists stranded.
Tuesday
The Axe of DOGE: Pentagon aims to cut 50,000 to 60,000 civilian workers
CC™ PersPective
The Pentagon is working to downsize its civilian workforce by approximately 50,000 to 60,000 employees through voluntary departures, though it remains uncertain whether this target can be met without resorting to involuntary layoffs.
The Department of Defense is currently implementing a voluntary reduction initiative to achieve a 5% to 8% cut in its 878,000 civilian workforce—an adjustment that translates to around 50,000 to 60,000 positions, a senior defense official told reporters on Tuesday.
“The number sounds high, but I would focus on the percentage, a 5% to 8% reduction is not a drastic one,” the official stated, emphasizing that Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth “is confident can be done without negatively impacting readiness in order to make sure that our resources are allocated in the right direction.”
So far, about 21,000 civilian employees have had their resignation requests approved under the Pentagon’s Deferred Resignation Program (DRP), which allows employees to resign while still receiving pay until the fiscal year concludes on September 30. However, the senior defense official declined to specify the total number of workers who had applied for this program.
ABC News had previously reported that under a Trump administration initiative, 31,000 civilian employees had submitted resignation requests, though some were denied.
Monday
Hypocrisy Personified - Obasanjo says criminals, drug addicts and kidnappers, becoming traditional rulers
Former President Olusegun Obasanjo has lamented the selection processes of traditional rulers in the country, saying that criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits, and kidnappers have infiltrated royal institutions.
The former president said the rapid proliferation of traditional rulers, many of whom lack the required training and moral standing, has led to the deterioration of traditional institutions in the country.
Obasanjo, who stated this in one of his newly released book, Nigeria: Past and Future, which was unveiled last week, bemoaned the abandonment of the traditional training and apprenticeship system that once upheld the dignity of royal offices, stressing that this neglect has contributed significantly to Nigeria’s socio-political challenges.
He said, “Today, there are criminals, drug addicts, vagabonds, bandits and kidnappers as so-called traditional rulers.”
He noted that instead of being custodians of culture and justice, some traditional rulers have engaged in disgraceful acts that further damage the country’s fragile system.
He cited the example of a monarch involved in electoral malpractice.
“This is a great pity, and it has greatly contributed to the problems of Nigeria by traditional rulers. How do we account for a traditional ruler snatching a ballot box at an election polling station and running away with it?” he queried.
Obasanjo reflected on the past, when traditional rulers commanded honor and respect, particularly during the colonial and early post-independence periods, saying that such standards have now been lost.
“The class of traditional rulers with their distinction, honour and dignity, as we knew them in the colonial days and early post-independence days, has been diluted and polluted.”
While calling for urgent reforms, the former president stressed the need to restore traditional leadership’s lost dignity and value in Nigeria.
He argued that traditional rulers should serve as key contributors to national development instead of being a burden.
“That dignity, aura and respect should be brought back and traditional rulers should be an asset to Nigeria’s development and greatness and not a liability,” he declared.
Obasanjo further emphasized the need for moral rejuvenation among traditional rulers, particularly those with deep historical significance.
He insisted that if properly repositioned, they could be crucial in achieving Nigeria’s long-term aspirations.
“There is a need for moral re-armament among the traditional rulers — the ancient and historic ones. And they can and should make meaningful contributions to the Nigeria of our dreams that will serve the purpose and interest of all.”
NEWSPOST
Sunday
FIFA Council election: How Pinnick was schemed out
CC™ PersPective
By Jacob Ajom
At the 14th Confederation of African Football(CAF) Extraordinary General Assembly held on Wednesday in Cairo, Egypt, former President of the Nigeria Football Federation, Amaju Pinnick failed in his bid to be re-elected into the FIFA council. Pinnick garnered 28 votes—just one vote short of Mauritania’s Ahmed Yahya and Djibouti’s Souleiman Waberi, who secured the final two available slots.
Sports Vanguard gathered that the Nigerian candidate was coasting home as there were indications that he was the clear favorite until the eve of the election when a major conspiracy was hatched by his opponents.
Pinnick, we further gathered, was the favourite candidate of both CAF and FIFA Presidents Patrice Mosepe and Gianni Infantino respectively. His closeness to the two powerful figures in world football, his charisma and influence were perceived as major threats by the other contestants, most of whom are still serving FA Presidents of their various countries.
Our source put it more succinctly: “It was the power of incumbency against the helplessness of one being out of office that came to play in Cairo. Just like in Nigeria, where State FA Chairmen wield the big stick when it comes to NFF elections, in Cairo, the FA Presidents hold the ace.
“The other candidates who are FA chairmen and Presidents felt that since Pinnick was no longer President of Nigeria’s federation he could be sacrificed. They ganged up against him when they were deciding on who should be favoured” our source who was in Cairo said.
“Remember, most of them are serving FA Presidents in their respective countries and they felt that since Pinnick was no longer the head of his country’s football federation he could be dispensed with without much harm to their own political fortunes.”
He added, “Untill then, he was ahead with at about 40 votes. But overnight, everything changed and the battle assumed a new direction.”
Coming from an English-speaking country did not help his case one bit.
Our source said, “Pinnick fought a good fight.I’m surprised he got up to 28 votes. When the conspiracy plan was hatched, no one gave him any chance of getting even four votes. To have battled all the odds and got 28 votes overnight, he fought a good fight.”
A battle-weary Pinnick himself alluded to that when he said after the results were announced. “Football politics is fierce, but I am proud to have fought a good fight. I campaigned hard; travelled to more than 30 countries. Hours before the election, I was sure of close to 40 votes. But politics happened. I am not bitter about anything, just full of gratitude to everyone who supported my push.”
Pinnick made history as the third Nigerian to be elected into the FIFA Council, following Oyo Orok Oyo and Amos Adamu. He first secured his seat in March 2021 during the 43rd CAF Ordinary General Assembly in Rabat, Morocco.
Prior to his FIFA role, Pinnick served as the president of the NFF for two consecutive terms, from 2014 to 2022, before being succeeded by Ibrahim Gusau.
VANGUARD
Saturday
Friday
Judge blocks Trump from deporting non-citizens using wartime law
CC™ PersPective
A federal judge has temporarily blocked the Trump administration from using a wartime law to deport migrants accused of links to the Venezuelan gang Tren de Aragua.
US District Judge James Boasberg also ordered any planes carrying those migrants to return to the US.
Earlier Saturday, the Trump administration invoked the Alien Enemies Act of 1798, which allows deportation of undocumented immigrants during war or foreign threats.
Boasberg blocked the removal of five individuals challenging the move, later expanding the ruling to cover all affected noncitizens in US custody.
“Particularly given the plaintiffs’ information, unrebutted by the government, that flights are actively departing and planning to depart, I do not believe that I’m able to wait any longer,” Boasberg said. “Any plane containing these folks that is going to take off or is in the air needs to be returned to the United States.”
The temporary restraining order will last 14 days or until further court action.
“I think there’s clearly irreparable harm here given these folks will be deported,” Boasberg added. “A brief delay in their removal does not cause the government any harm.”
The Justice Department has appealed the ruling.
A White House proclamation cited Tren de Aragua as a terrorist organisation, stating its members have “unlawfully infiltrated the United States and are conducting irregular warfare and undertaking hostile actions.”
The Alien Enemies Act has been used three times in US history, all during war, including World War II, when it contributed to Japanese internment, according to the Brennan Center.
The ACLU, arguing against its use, said the gang’s actions do not meet the legal definition of an invasion.
Thursday
Wednesday
Tuesday
It’s not for Russia to decide on peacekeepers in Ukraine – French President Macron
CC™ Global News
By Matthew Atungwu
French President Emmanuel Macron said the stationing of peacekeeping troops in Ukraine, as proposed by Britain and France as part of a ceasefire agreement with Russia, is a question for Kyiv to decide and not Moscow.
Macron and British Prime Minister Keir Starmer have reportedly been rushing to consolidate military support for Ukraine as US President Donald Trump presses for a peace deal with Russia.
It could be recalled that Starmer hosted a virtual meeting on Saturday with Macron and other non-US allies of Ukraine.
“Ukraine is sovereign. If it asks for allied forces to be on its territory, it’s not something for Russia to accept or not,” Macron said.
Russia has repeatedly rejected the idea of soldiers from countries belonging to the NATO alliance being stationed in Ukraine.
According to Macron, any peacekeeping force would consist of a few thousand troops per country to be deployed at key locations, adding a number of European and non-European countries were interested in participating.
However, like other aspects of a potential truce, the form of any peacekeeping force remains uncertain.
Finland’s President Alexander Stubb has said that that any firm commitments would come once there was a clear plan.
“There are anywhere from zero to 50 different ways they can help, boots on the ground is only one way. You can talk about intelligence, you can talk about different types of things but it’s too early to commit right now,” he said.
Britain and France both stated that they could send peacekeepers to Ukraine, while Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said his country was also open to requests.
Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that he supported in principle Washington’s proposal for a 30-day ceasefire with Ukraine but that his forces would fight on until several crucial conditions were worked out.
DAILY POST
Monday
Sunday
Friday
Elon Musk’s SpaceX Starship explodes in space
CC™ Global News
SpaceX’s massive Starship spacecraft exploded in space on Thursday, minutes after lifting off from Texas, marking the second consecutive failure this year for Elon Musk’s Mars rocket programme.
The explosion prompted the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) to halt air traffic in parts of Florida.
Several videos circulating on social media showed fiery debris streaking across the dusk skies near South Florida and the Bahamas after the spacecraft broke apart.
SpaceX’s live stream of the mission captured the moment Starship began to spin uncontrollably, with its engines shutting down before contact was lost.
The failure of this eighth Starship test comes just over a month after the seventh ended in a similar explosive failure.
Both incidents occurred during early mission phases that SpaceX had previously surpassed with ease, presenting a setback for Musk’s ambitious timeline to accelerate the program this year.
The 403-foot (123-meter) rocket system remains central to his plan to send humans to Mars by the turn of the decade.
The FAA briefly grounded flights at Miami, Fort Lauderdale, Palm Beach, and Orlando airports due to “space launch debris.” It later announced an investigation into the mishap.
The launch took place at around 6:30 p.m. ET (2330 GMT) from SpaceX’s Boca Chica, Texas, facilities. The Super Heavy first-stage booster successfully returned to Earth as planned and was caught midair by a SpaceX crane.
However, the upper stage of Starship encountered issues shortly after reaching space, Reuters reported.
SpaceX’s live feed showed the vehicle spinning uncontrollably, with a visualization indicating multiple engine shutdowns.
Soon after, the company lost contact with the spacecraft. Referencing the previous failure, SpaceX spokesperson Dan Huot remarked on the live stream, “Unfortunately this happened last time too, so we’ve got some practice now.”
TRIBUNE
Thursday
Trump blinks, backs off Mexico, Canada tariffs after market blowback
CC™ PersPective
US President Donald Trump on Thursday unveiled a temporary rollback to steep tariffs targeting Canada and Mexico, providing some reprieve to companies and consumers after sustained blowback on global markets.
After his sweeping tariffs of up to 25 percent on the two US neighbors took effect Tuesday, stock markets tumbled, as economists warned that blanket tariffs could weigh on US economic growth and raise inflation in the near-term.
Though the Republican president dismissed suggestions that his trade decisions were linked to market turmoil, he decided to pause the levies for trade with Canada and Mexico that falls under a regional pact.
Trump also lowered the new 25 percent levy on Canadian potash, a key element of fertilizer which US officials said their country does not produce much of.
The tariff halt — which lasts until April 2 — came one day after the White House also announced a temporary reprieve for automakers.
The moves make conditions “much more favorable for our American car manufacturers,” Trump said Thursday.
But he added that major moves would be unveiled on April 2, the date that he has promised updates on “reciprocal tariffs” to remedy practices Washington deems unfair.
At that point, Canadian and Mexican goods could still face levies.
The US president also said he would not modify tariffs for steel and aluminum, which are due to take effect next week.
– ‘Good’ relationship with Mexico –
On the tariff halt for some Mexican goods, Trump said earlier on Truth Social that he “did this as an accommodation, and out of respect for” President Claudia Sheinbaum, adding: “Our relationship has been a very good one.”
His remarks stood in sharp contrast to the simmering tensions with Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trudeau said Thursday that Ottawa will remain in a trade war with Washington for “the foreseeable future” even if there are “breaks for certain sectors.”
“Our goal remains to get these tariffs, all tariffs removed,” Trudeau added.
– ‘Economic reality’ –
For Scott Lincicome, vice president of general economics at the Cato Institute, Trump’s easing of tariffs on Mexico was “a recognition of economic reality.”
The move was an acknowledgment that tariffs disrupt supply chains, that the burden of levies fall to consumers, and “that the market doesn’t like them and certainly doesn’t like the uncertainty surrounding them,” Lincicome told AFP.
Since taking office for his second term in January, Trump has made a series of tariff threats on allies and adversaries alike.
Trump justified the tariffs on Washington’s two neighbors and vital trade partners, along with China, as a way to stop illegal immigration and trafficking of the deadly drug fentanyl.
However, Canada contributes less than one percent of fentanyl to the illicit US supply, according to Canadian and US government data. It is also a relatively minor source of illegal immigration, compared to flows across the Mexican border.
China, meanwhile, has pushed back on US allegations of its role in the fentanyl supply chain, calling this a domestic issue that tariffs will not resolve.
US Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said Thursday that he was not concerned Trump’s tariffs would be inflationary, adding that any impact on prices would likely be temporary.
Trump has referred to tariffs as a source of US government revenue, and a way to remedy trade imbalances and unfair trade practices.
The US trade deficit surged to a new record in January, according to government data released Thursday.
The overall trade gap of the world’s biggest economy ballooned 34 percent to $131.4 billion, on the back of a jump in imports for the month, said the Commerce Department.
Analysts say the US deficit was likely bolstered by gold imports, but data also suggests businesses were importing more goods to try to get ahead of potential tariffs.
VANGUARD
Wednesday
Canada retaliates, issues 25% tariffs on $155B of American goods
CC™ PersPective
Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has announced 25 percent tariffs on United States’ goods in response to President Donald Trump’s tariffs.
Trudeau said Canada is imposing tariffs on $155 billion worth of US goods from Tuesday.
Trump had signed an executive order authorizing an additional 25 percent tariff on imports from Canada and Mexico.
The US President also imposed an additional 10 percent tariff on Chinese imports.
Energy imported from Canada, including oil, natural gas and electricity, would also be taxed at an additional 10 percent.
However, Trudeau said “there is no justification for these actions,” dismissing the White House’s argument about the flow of drugs, including fentanyl, into the US.
Trudeau said Canada “will not let this unjustified decision go unanswered”.
He announced that tariffs on American goods would go into effect at 12:01 a.m. if the Trump tariffs go into effect at midnight as promised.
According to the statement, Canada will start with tariffs on $30 billion worth of American goods, followed by tariffs on $125 billion of American products in 21 days.
Tuesday
Donald Trump’s Flirtations with Tyranny and Anarchy
CC™ PersPective
By Deji Komolafe, Deputy Editor-in-Chief
Donald Trump's political style and rhetoric have often sparked contentious debate and criticism, with some commentators and political analysts expressing concerns about his approach to governance and its dire implications for democratic norms. Here are some key points of reference for context:
1. Authoritarian Rhetoric: Trump has been accused of using language that some interpret as authoritarian. For example, his references to "enemies of the people" when discussing the media, and his admiration for foreign dictators, have raised concerns about his commitment to democratic principles.
2. Election Integrity: Trump's repeated claims of widespread voter fraud in the 2016 and 2020 elections, despite a lack of evidence, have been seen by some as an attempt to undermine confidence in democratic institutions. His refusal to concede the 2020 elections and the subsequent Capitol riot on January 6, 2021, further fueled these concerns.
3. Centralization of Power: Critics argue that Trump's presidency saw an unusual centralization of power within the White House, with a focus on loyalty to the president over traditional bureaucratic processes. This was evident in his frequent firing of officials who were seen as disloyal or who contradicted him publicly.
4. Erosion of Norms: Trump's presidency was marked by a departure from many established political norms. This includes his use of social media to bypass traditional media, his personal attacks on political opponents, and his willingness to challenge the independence of the judiciary and other branches of government.
5. Populist Appeal: Trump's populist rhetoric, which often framed him as the sole defender of "the people" against a corrupt elite, has been compared to tactics used by authoritarian leaders. This approach can undermine trust in institutions and create a binary, "us vs. them" political environment.
6. Handling of Protests: Trump's response to protests, particularly during the Black Lives Matter demonstrations in 2020, included threats to deploy the military to quell unrest, which some viewed as an overreach of executive power and a threat to civil liberties.
7. Pardons and Clemency: Trump's use of presidential pardons, including for political allies and individuals convicted of crimes that aligned with his political interests, has been criticized as undermining the rule of law and using presidential powers in a self-serving manner.
It's important to note that these points are subject to interpretation and debate. Supporters of Trump argue that his actions were necessary to challenge a corrupt political establishment and to fulfill his promises to his base. They often view his rhetoric as a form of political bravado against entrenched interests and media bias.
The discussion around Trump's approach to governance is complex and multifaceted, reflecting broader debates about the nature of democracy, the role and power of the executive branch, as well as the future of American politics.
Monday
Accessory to Genocide in Gaza - U.S. delivers $4 billion in military aid to Israel
CC™ PersPective
United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio has signed a declaration to expedite delivery of approximately $4 billion in military assistance to Israel.
In a statement, Rubio said the Trump administration, which took office on January 20, has approved nearly $12 billion in major foreign military sales to Israel.
He added that the administration will continue to use all available tools to fulfill America’s long-standing commitment to Israel’s security, including means to counter security threats.
The US Secretary of States said he had used emergency authority to expedite the delivery of military assistance to Israel to its Middle East ally, now in a fragile ceasefire with Hamas militants in their war in Gaza.
The Pentagon on Friday said the State Department had approved the potential sale of nearly $3 billion worth of bombs, demolition kits and other weaponry to Israel.
The administration notified Congress of those prospective weapons sales on an emergency basis.
This is sidestepping a long-standing practice of giving the chairs and ranking members of the House Foreign Affairs and Senate Foreign Relations Committees the opportunity to review the sale and ask for more information before making a formal notification to Congress.
The announcements on Friday marked the second time in recent weeks that President Donald Trump’s administration has declared an emergency to quickly approve weapons sales to Israel.
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