Trump’s govt threatens sanctions on ‘corrupt’ judges in other countries

CC™ News

By Staff

President Donald Trump’s administration has issued a stern warning to so-called ‘corrupt’ judges in various countries of the world.

The warning comes after Trump’s government sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes for alleged abuse of power.

This was made known in a post on X on Wednesday by the US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, threatening similar punitive actions to other countries.

Rubio announced that Justice Moraes was sanctioned under the Global Magnitsky Act for serious human rights abuses, including arbitrary detentions and violations of free speech.

He said: “@POTUS and @USTreasury have sanctioned Brazilian Supreme Court Justice Alexandre de Moraes under the Global Magnitsky sanctions program for serious human rights abuses. Let this be a warning to those who would trample on the fundamental rights of their countrymen—judicial robes cannot protect you.”

The Global Magnitsky sanctions involve financial restrictions and travel bans targeting individuals found guilty of gross human rights violations.

The law is named after Sergei Magnitsky, a Russian lawyer who exposed corruption, was imprisoned, and died under suspicious circumstances in 2009.

US President Donald Trump (a convicted felon) declares Venezuelan President Maduro wanted for drug trafficking with $25m bounty

CC™ News

By Staff

The United States government has declared Venezuela’s President Nicolás Maduro and two of his close allies, Diosdado Cabello Rondón and Vladimir Padrino López, wanted for drug trafficking.

In a statement released on Tuesday, the U.S. Department of State announced a combined reward of $65 million for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the three Venezuelan officials.

A reward of $25 million was placed on President Maduro, while Cabello and Padrino carry rewards of $25 million and $15 million, respectively.

The U.S. authorities accused the trio of being leaders of the Cartel de los Soles, which was recently designated a terrorist organisation by the U.S. Treasury Department.

According to the Department of State, the cartel is responsible for trafficking drugs into the United States.

“@USTreasury just sanctioned Cartel de los Soles as a terrorist group. Run by the corrupt and contemptible Nicolás Maduro, it is responsible for trafficking drugs into the U.S.,” said the department.

It added, “Help us take down Maduro and his cronies Diosdado Cabello Rondón & Vladimir Padrino López!”

A wanted poster issued by the U.S. describes President Maduro as a “designated global terrorist cartel de los soles leader”, and outlines charges including narco-terrorism conspiracy, cocaine importation conspiracy, and conspiracy to use and carry machine guns and destructive devices in furtherance of a drug crime.

The announcement comes just one day after Maduro marked the one-year anniversary of his re-election—a vote the U.S. and its allies have described as fraudulent.

The United States has long refused to recognise Maduro’s government and has imposed multiple sanctions targeting Venezuela’s political and economic leadership.

Frailties of a compromised leader as Trump tells Putin, “You have 10 or 12 days to end war with Ukraine”

CC™ Global News

By Staff

US President, Donald Trump has issued a new ultimatum to Russian President Vladimir Putin, giving him 10 to 12 days to make progress toward ending the war in Ukraine.

Speaking during meetings in Scotland on Monday, Trump revealed he was abandoning a previous 50-day timeline he had set, citing mounting frustration with Russia’s inaction.

“I was going to give them 50 days,” Trump said. “But I’m not happy with the pace. Now I’m telling them they have 10 to 12 days to move forward.”

The president did not detail the consequences if Russia fails to meet the new deadline but emphasized his growing impatience.

“Enough is enough,” he added. “Putin knows where I stand”, Trump said.

Trump’s comments come as diplomatic pressure continues to build on the Kremlin, with Western allies demanding a resolution to the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.

“I was going to give them 50 days,” Trump said. “But I’m not happy with the pace. Now I’m telling them they have 10 to 12 days to move forward.”

The president did not detail the consequences if Russia fails to meet the new deadline but emphasized his growing impatience.

“Enough is enough,” he added. “Putin knows where I stand”, Trump said.

Trump’s comments come as diplomatic pressure continues to build on the Kremlin, with Western allies demanding a resolution to the prolonged conflict in Ukraine.

Naira bonds beat EM peers as Tinubu reforms get noticed

CC™ InsiderNews

President Bola Tinubu‘s reforms are sparking the biggest bond rally in emerging markets as the West African nation’s two-digit carry yields are backed by increasing government revenue, slowing inflation and a stable currency.

Naira-denominated bonds of Africa’s largest crude producer have extended their 2025 rally with an 8.6% total return in July, the best performance among the 23 countries in the Bloomberg EM Local Currency Government Universal Index both for the month and the year.

Since coming to power in May 2023, Tinubu has eliminated fuel subsidies weighing on the government’s budget. He followed it up with a tax overhaul, while the central bank has allowed the naira to trade more freely. The measures have helped to reduce the fiscal deficit, boost reserves and keep the current account in surplus. And investors are just beginning to back the reforms, after staying on the sidelines for most of 2024.

“The optics have been constructive this year for Nigeria,” said Matthew Reed, head of trading at the Bank of Africa UK Plc in London. “The currency has stabilized after a volatile 2024 and this removes a notable hurdle for many international accounts looking to invest in the local bond market.”

Government revenues increased 43% in the first half compared to the prior period, and recent tax changes are seen boosting revenue collections further. A rebasing that increased Nigeria’s gross domestic product by 30% has improved debt ratios and opened the room for better ratings and fresh borrowing

The lower inflation, expectation of rate cuts and a more stable naira have made Nigeria a more attractive investment case, said Joseph Cuthbertson, a sovereign analyst at PineBridge Investments in London. Nigeria is on a “positive macroeconomic trajectory following its reform efforts,” leaving local debt attractive, he said.

The July rally in naira bonds extends year-to-date gains to 26%, compared with an emerging-market average of 7.1%. That partially recoups a 40% loss suffered by investors last year.

A credit upgrade this year by Moody’s has also helped, said Patience Oniha, the head of Nigeria’s debt management office. The ratings company raised Nigeria from Caa1 to B3 citing “significant improvements in the country’s external balance and fiscal position.” That placed it on the cusp of “re-entering the broader pool of emerging markets considered investable by institutional debt investors,” Moody’s said.

Despite recent gains, Nigeria’s local bonds are “still attractive,” said Aurelie Martin, a fixed-income analyst at Ninety One. The naira has found some stability “reaping the benefits of the tough monetary and fiscal reforms of the past couple of years,” while slowing inflation will enable the central bank to cut rates supporting naira notes further.

BLOOMBERG

Dangote Cement Announces Emmanuel Ikazoboh As New Board Chairperson

CC™ BusinessNews

By Staff

Africa’s industrial titan and founder of Dangote Cement Plc, Aliko Dangote, has stepped down as Chairman and Director of the company’s Board, effective July 25, 2025. The decision marks a strategic shift in focus as Dangote aims to devote more attention to the operations of his Refinery, Petrochemicals, Fertilizer, and Government Relations, aligning with the group’s five-year business trajectory.

In a statement issued by the Group Chief, Branding & Communications Officer, Mr. Anthony Chiejina, the company announced the appointment of Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh, an independent non-executive director, as the new Chairman of the Board.

In the same development, Hajiya Mariya Aliko Dangote was appointed to the Board of Directors, while Prof. Dorothy Ufot officially retired.

The company described Dangote’s departure from the board as the end of an era, celebrating his transformational role in revolutionizing Africa’s cement industry. Under his leadership, Dangote Cement grew to become Africa’s largest cement producer and the continent’s leading exporter of cement and clinker.

“Aliko Dangote’s journey began with a bold dream: to make Nigeria and Africa self-sufficient in cement production. Through strategic investments, cutting-edge technology, and a commitment to local content, he not only met that goal but exceeded it,” the statement read.

Today, Dangote Cement boasts an installed capacity of 52.0 million tonnes per annum (Mta) across Africa, with Nigeria accounting for 35.25 Mta. Ongoing greenfield projects in Côte d’Ivoire (3.0 Mta) and Itori, Nigeria (6.0 Mta), expected to be completed this year, will raise total capacity to 61.0 Mta.

The company has also achieved record-breaking financial results. According to unaudited financials for the first half of 2025, group revenue surged by 17.7 percent to N2.071 trillion from N1.76 trillion in the same period of 2024. Group EBITDA grew by 41.8 percent to N944.9 billion, while EBITDA from Nigerian operations rose by a remarkable 82.4 percent to N845.4 billion. Profit before tax increased by 149 percent to N730 billion, and profit after tax soared by 174.1 percent to N520.5 billion. During the period, Nigerian export volumes rose by 18.2 percent, including 18 clinker shipments to Ghana and Cameroon.

In his acceptance speech, Mr. Emmanuel Ikazoboh expressed deep appreciation for the trust placed in him. “I am truly honored to accept the role of Chairman of Dangote Cement Plc. This company stands as a beacon of African enterprise, demonstrating resilience, innovation, and excellence.”

Ikazoboh pledged to lead with integrity and vision, emphasizing sustainable growth, operational efficiency, and innovation. He outlined key priorities for the company, including driving cost-reduction strategies to combat inflation, transitioning to alternative energy sources, and strengthening staff development programs.

“My vision for Dangote Cement is anchored on operational excellence, strategic expansion, sustainability, innovation, and community engagement,” Ikazoboh said.

He also praised Aliko Dangote’s legacy, noting that his achievements have restored global confidence in African industrial capacity. In 2024 alone, Dangote Group subsidiaries reportedly paid over N402 billion in taxes, making it Nigeria’s highest corporate taxpayer.

With this leadership transition, Dangote Cement Plc is poised to embark on a new era, reinforcing its commitment to industrial growth, sustainability, and continental impact.

Developing Positive Self-Images In Black Children

CC™ VideoSpective

Amazon closes Federal Way grocery store

CC™ Viewpoint 

By Staff

Amazon has closed its Amazon Fresh grocery store in Federal Way, Washington, affecting 125 employees. The store, located at The Commons mall, closed on Sunday, June 22, 2025 after about three years of operation. 

Amazon stated that the closure is due to an assessment of their offering, with some locations performing better than others. 

Customers in the area can still access groceries through Amazon’s online options with same-day delivery, according to an Amazon spokesperson. 

The closure of the Federal Way store is part of a larger trend of Amazon refining its physical store strategy. The company has recently closed other locations, including a Whole Foods Market in Seattle's Capitol Hill neighborhood. 

Amazon has been experimenting with different store formats, including Amazon Fresh grocery stores and Amazon Go convenience stores, and is now focusing on refining its portfolio based on customer preferences and performance. 

The Federal Way store was previously a Sears location and was renovated by Amazon before opening in 2022. Ironically, the closure comes after Amazon recently updated the store with Dash Carts Employees affected by the closure have been offered the opportunity to transfer to other Amazon Fresh locations.

Amazon operates three other Fresh grocery stores in Washington, including two in Seattle and one in Bellevue.

The Unbroken Spirit - Believe In Yourself

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6 Habits of People With High IQ

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Political Sign Vandalism (Part 2) - Federal Way, Washington State Mayoral Race

CC™ VideoSpective

According to RCW 29a.84.040, each instance of defacement or removal is a separate violation. Misdemeanors can be punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

Political Sign Vandalism - Federal Way, Washington State Mayoral Race

CC™ VideoSpective

This video (there will be a second part to it) was actually the second incident in a spate of 24 hours of political vandalism against our Mayoral campaign in the City of Federal Way. 

The first incident occurred on July 4th, 2025 at the intersection of Celebration Park road and 13th Pl S. 

Regarding the first incident, I Spoke with officers Boyle and Rodriguez of the FWPD about our sign being taken down on 7/4/25 around 7:45pm PST at the Celebration Park Intersection on Celebration Park Rd. 

While we have documented that first incident accordingly, the second incident is even more brazen, as this video and the subsequent one will show. We will take the necessary steps to tackle these obvious acts of intimidation head-on, and we will be directed and aggressive in ensuring that the full extent of the law is brought to bare on the responsible parties. 

According to RCW 29a.84.040, each instance of defacement or removal is a separate violation. Misdemeanors can be punishable by up to 90 days in jail or a fine of up to $1,000, or both.

The Men Who Stole The World And Got Away With It

CC™ Perspective

Six Habits of People With High IQ

CC™ VideoScope

The Destruction of Black Civilization: A Preview by Chancellor Williams

CC™ VideoSpective

Why The West Desperately Wants The Dangote Refinery To Fail

CC™ VideoSpective