CC™ VideoSpective
CREDITS - NaTivi
Saturday
Mexico rejects reported U.S. military plan to target drug cartels
By Staff
Mexican President, Claudia Sheinbaum has dismissed the possibility of U.S. troops operating on Mexican soil, following reports that U.S. President Donald Trump had authorized the Pentagon to prepare for military action against Latin American drug cartels.
“The United States is not going to come to Mexico with the military,” Sheinbaum told reporters. “We cooperate, we collaborate, but there is not going to be an invasion. That is ruled out, absolutely ruled out.”
Her comments came after The New York Times reported that Trump had secretly signed a directive granting the Pentagon authority to conduct direct military operations against drug cartels abroad.
The reported order follows Trump’s earlier executive designation of eight cartels as terrorist organizations, six of which are based in Mexico.
While the White House did not confirm the directive, it reiterated in a statement to the BBC that the president’s “top priority is protecting the homeland.”
Sheinbaum said her government was informed in advance that new measures targeting cartels were planned but stressed they involved no U.S. military deployment in Mexico.
“It is not part of any agreement, far from it. When it has been brought up, we have always said ‘No’,” she added.
U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, said Thursday, that the terrorist designation would allow Washington to use intelligence and defense resources against cartels.
“We have to start treating them as armed terrorist organizations, not simply drug-dealing organizations,” Rubio said.
Despite the tensions, Mexico and the U.S. have recently intensified cooperation on border security and anti-narcotics efforts.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection data shows June recorded the lowest number of illegal border crossings on record, while fentanyl seizures dropped by more than half compared to earlier this year.
U.S. Ambassador to Mexico Ronald Johnson praised the joint efforts on X, writing that cooperation between Sheinbaum and Trump had left cartels “going bankrupt” and both countries “safer because of it.”
Thursday
THE CITY BOY: A POLITICAL STRATEGIST AND CONSUMMATE POLITICIAN
Let us take a deep dive into the leadership and political strategy of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In the grand tapestry of political discourse, I find myself captivated by the muse of creativity and inspiration. I am a fervent admirer of the political artistry exhibited by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu. In a nation as complex and richly diverse as Nigeria, it is nothing short of a blessing to have such a strategic mind at the helm of leadership during these turbulent times.
The present administration, under the stewardship of PBAT, faces a myriad of challenges—obstacles that may appear mundane on the surface but are steeped in intricacies that demand astute political maneuvering. Despite these trials, the President's Bola Ahmed Tinubu remarkable ability to confront and navigate these difficulties is nothing short of praiseworthy.
In the intricate realm of political strategy, one often endeavors to create scenarios that yield win-win outcomes amidst a landscape filled with potential losers and winners. This delicate balancing act requires not only acute awareness but also profound understanding—a trait that President Tinubu has demonstrated time and again. His finesse in orchestrating the management of both scarce and abundant resources, whether they be human or material, has garnered admiration from both discerning intellectuals and pragmatic realists alike. It is a rare skill, particularly in a nation like Nigeria, where the echoes of a turbulent history reverberate through the political strata.
Since the dawn of independence, Nigeria has been embroiled in a political landscape where fairness and equity often seem like distant dreams. Yet, under PBAT's guidance, there emerges a flicker of hope—a vision of how to redefine the rules of engagement in a nation characterized by its political diversity. The President’s remarkable capacity to endure criticism and withstand the slings and arrows of public opinion goes beyond mere resilience; he possesses an uncanny ability to decipher the body language and psychological landscape of his people. This insight not only astounds his adversaries but also draws the admiration of those astute intellectuals who recognize the depth of his understanding.
In the colloquial parlance of Nigeria, it is often said that Omo Ologo—"the child of the illustrious"—is a soul destined for greatness. President Tinubu embodies this ethos, emerging as a beacon of hope amidst the shadows of political disillusionment. In the realm of business, corporate titans glide through the intricacies of national life, shaping the trajectory of both the private sector and public governance. A master strategist, then, is not merely someone who plots and schemes; rather, they are individuals adept at navigating the complexities of their environment to realize defined goals and objectives.
In the vibrant streets of Nigeria, there thrive individuals who are street-wise—a unique breed, well-groomed yet familiar with the harsh realities of life, who adeptly maneuver through the squalor and surmount the challenges that time presents. These are the good rogues—those who comprehend what it takes to engage in a gritty fight for the greater good of humanity, battling the unjust systems that entrench society's inequities.
Moreover, PBAT can be likened to a political gymnast—an agile and astute figure who deftly maneuvers through the many hurdles of governance, mastering the art of politics to sail toward victory. His strategic prowess allows him not only to navigate rough waters but to come out stronger on the other side.
As I pen down these reflections from my vantage point in Arizona, United States of America, I cannot help but feel a deep connection to Nigeria's journey. It is a land rich in potential, poised for transformation, and bolstered by the dynamic leadership of individuals like Bola Ahmed Tinubu. Our collective fate depends on such strategists, whose vision can guide us through the labyrinth of challenges toward a brighter, more equitable future.
Wednesday
Sean ‘Diddy’ Combs seeking Trump pardon, says lawyer
Music mogul Sean “Diddy” Combs, who is to be sentenced in October for his conviction on prostitution-related charges, is seeking a pardon from President Donald Trump, one of his lawyers said Tuesday.
“It’s my understanding that we’ve reached out and had conversations in reference to a pardon,” Nicole Westmoreland told CNN in an interview.
Trump has indicated, however, that he is unlikely to grant a pardon to the 55-year-old Combs.
“I was very friendly with him. I got along with him great, and he seemed like a nice guy,” Trump said in an interview on Friday with Newsmax. “I didn’t know him well, but when I ran for office, he was very hostile.”
Asked if that meant he was not inclined to pardon Combs, Trump said: “I would say so, yeah.”
A New York jury found Combs guilty last month of two counts of transportation to engage in prostitution, each of which carries a maximum sentence of 10 years in prison.
He was acquitted of racketeering and sex trafficking charges after a marathon trial in which he was accused of harrowing abuse.
Combs’ sentencing has been set for October 3.
Tuesday
Willful blindness nourished by hate and bigotry is why America elected a treasonous conman as president
CC™ VideoSpective
NowThisImpact
Sunday
Crypto is the next step toward a cashless society
CC™ Financial News
Julian Hosp
It will take some time for consumers to warm up to crypto, but education is the key to its mass adoption.
From QR code payments to mobile banking apps, consumers worldwide are increasingly reliant on digital payment solutions, especially as mobile technology becomes more ubiquitous. Government-led efforts in driving cashless economies have been a key factor, with countries such as Singapore or the Philippines seeing their central banks driving the adoption of contactless payments during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. As a result, usage rates for digital payments platforms have recorded promising growth, even as high as 5,000% in the Philippines alone.
This unprecedented rise in cashless payments is also paving the way for the broader adoption of crypto, with the number of crypto users worldwide hitting around 106 million in January. While this marks an impressive 15% month-on-month growth, it is still just a drop in the ocean when compared to the 4.7 billion people who have access to the internet.
But as crypto continues to command headlines, what will it take for mass adoption to happen?
A new model of financial accessibility
Today, billions of people worldwide are unable to access even the most basic financial services via traditional means, and thus are unable to save or manage their money securely. In times of economic devastation, such as this past year in which global economies have been staggered by the impact of COVID-19, the vast gap between rich and poor has become abundantly clear. The global pandemic has only perpetuated the absence of inclusive financial infrastructure, which has led to approximately one-third of the global population having no financial safety net to fall back on.
With crypto wallets, however, anyone can transfer their crypto internationally without needing to maintain a minimum balance in their account, as long as they have an internet connection. As crypto applications are built on decentralized blockchains, transactions are performed on a peer-to-peer basis in the absence of traditional intermediaries such as bankers or brokerage houses. This results in significant savings in transaction costs, as traditional cross-border remittance fees for small amounts can be as high as 7% after taking into account intermediaries’ fees on both the sender and recipient side. Meanwhile, the same fees for cryptocurrencies are often less than 1 percent — regardless of transaction amount.
Furthermore, highly decentralized platforms are permissionless, meaning that anyone with a crypto wallet and internet connection can lend, remit or trade their crypto without validation by a central authority or intermediary. Instead, transactions are executed by smart contracts, which automate them as long as pre-encoded conditions are met. Beyond the cost savings, consider the time savings as well. Remittance transactions can take several days to be processed, whereas cryptocurrencies can be transferred in mere minutes.
However, most crypto platforms still ask for some form of formal identification as part of their identity verification and Know Your Customer (KYC) process. This can range from a phone number to photo ID to proof of residential address. Some platforms adopt a multi-tier approach in which the more information that users provide, the more services they can access. While necessary for KYC and Anti-Money Laundering compliance, this poses barriers to users who do not own any formal identification documents.
Having said that, some decentralized exchanges, or DEXs, still honour the principles of anonymity and trustless working by not enforcing KYC on their users. The elimination of account verification and waiting time for approval has drawn many towards these types of DEXs — such as PancakeSwap, Uniswap and DeFiChain’s DEX — and has made finance truly accessible and inclusive for all.
Beyond simple transactions, recent innovations in the crypto space promise a much more equitable financial system where the unbanked and underbanked can access more means to build wealth. While DeFi products, such as token holding and staking on a DEX, might be a little too advanced for this group of users at the moment, simplified centralized decentralized finance (CeDeFi) services and improvements in financial literacy over time will help to open the door to these inclusive wealth creation opportunities.
Education is key to crypto adoption at scale
Widespread adoption of digital payment technologies, such as QR codes and biometrics, is definitely a promising sign that consumers have become more digitally savvy than ever before. In the Asia Pacific, more than 90% of surveyed respondents said they would consider at least one new payment method in the next year.
In addition to new payment technologies, the proliferation of retail investing has led to a paradigm shift in the investment landscape, with trading activities doubling over the past year. User-friendly platforms such as Robinhood and their well-known crypto counterparts — such as Coinbase — have made investing much more accessible to non-institutional investors.
This historic rise in cashless payments and retail investing saw the public gain more exposure to different asset types. However, in the United States, a staggering 84% of adults are either uninterested in cryptocurrencies or have never heard of them. While this could be attributable to the seemingly intimidating technicalities involved, we are now in a good place to gradually transition towards a more crypto-forward society.
For now, there’s much more to be done to help mainstream consumers gain a better understanding of crypto. Crypto projects, for one, would do well to invest more resources towards creating educational content to bridge the knowledge gap — whether through guides or detailed explainers. Meanwhile, taking on a more transparency-focused approach that looks to debunk misconceptions and ensure that users are aware of the risks associated with crypto, will enable those users to navigate their entry into the space with greater ease and confidence.
Crypto is the MVP in the cashless drive
As conversations on cryptocurrencies evolve, governments are taking note. While cash will not be eliminated any time soon, as many as 86% of central banks around the world are looking into central bank digital currencies in their quest to go cashless. The world’s first central bank digital currency (CBDC) — the Sand Dollar — was announced by the Central Bank of the Bahamas way back in 2018 and officially launched in October last year. The technology team behind this project was led by U-Zyn Chua, who went on to co-found DeFiChain.
Although CBDCs will be regulated by a central authority, their adoption will send a profound message to market participants on the legitimacy of digital currencies. The introduction of CBDCs is thus a much-needed springboard to catalyze large-scale crypto adoption.
In the short term, crypto is not going to replace the existing financial system, but will instead carve out its own ecosystem that is fit for a new generation of digital-first, financially savvy users. While it will take some time for consumers to warm up to crypto, the nascent technology will prove its worth in due time by offering cheaper, safer and more inclusive financial services for all.
Julian Hosp is the CEO and a co-founder of Cake DeFi, a platform dedicated to providing access to decentralized financial services and applications. He is also the chairman of DeFiChain, a DeFi platform built on the Bitcoin network. Julian is an active speaker for the Washington Speakers Bureau and an adviser for the EU’s blockchain groups. Julian graduated from Medizinische Universitat Innsbruck with a Doctor of Medicine in human medicine.
COINTELEGRAPH
Saturday
Trump refutes own job numbers and fires Labor Statistics head with a view to cooking future numbers
The U.S. posted the worst jobs report in half-a-decade and what did Donald Trump do? He fired the Bureau of Labor Statistics commissioner, Erika McEntarfer, claiming falsely (as he always does when things don’t go his way), that the report was ‘rigged to make him and the Republicans look bad.’
According to the jobs report released by the Department of Labor, U.S. employers only added 73,000 jobs in July amid Trump’s sweeping tariffs, his gestapo-like immigration crackdown and massive federal layoffs.
Even worse was the report that 260,000 fewer jobs were added in May and June, than previously believed, as the unemployment rate also shot up from 4.1 to 4.2 percent.
This is classic Trump and typifies the now-all-too-familiar template of institutionalized corruption he has always sought to employ, with the acquiescence of the rubber stamp Republican Congress.
There can be no gaslighting here by Trump, as these are his own job numbers published by his own Labor Department.
Thursday
Trump’s govt threatens sanctions on ‘corrupt’ judges in other countries
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.
Wednesday
US President Donald Trump (a convicted felon) declares Venezuelan President Maduro wanted for drug trafficking with $25m bounty
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.
Tuesday
Frailties of a compromised leader as Trump tells Putin, “You have 10 or 12 days to end war with Ukraine”
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.
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