Trump’s New Strategy ‘Is Working,’ Afghan Leader Says

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Despite seventeen years of war with no apparent victory in sight for the U.S-led effort, the chief executive of Afghanistan, Abdullah Abdullah, insists that the Trump administration’s renewed approach to the stalemate conflict “is working.”

“Imagine a situation without that commitment. Things would be very different. It is working,” he told Fox News in an exclusive interview during last week’s United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) in New York. “They announced a strategy and mobilized other countries and partners in NATO. They doubled the size of our Afghan Commandos, they’ve supported our Air Force — which is important in the way of Medevacs transporting the injured. These things are going to take time, but it is working.”

Most significantly, Abdullah said, is the Trump team’s “conditions-based” procedure rather than the Obama administration’s “time-based” plan, which entailed a 2014 drawdown and has been widely condemned to have enabled the Taliban to simply regroup and wait.

“These sorts of policies will yield results; you will see fruition. It won’t be in a matter of days or months, but as long as it’s the right track it will bring results,” he continued, noting that while it is too hard to give an estimated time frame of how long U.S. troops will be needed on the ground, it “won’t be a 50-year engagement.”

Army. Gen. John Nicholson, the former commander of NATO’s Resolute Support – the name given to the Afghan mission after 2014 – echoed such a sentiment of slow success in his final press conference on the state of affairs in Afghanistan in late August, indicating that they were “on a glide path to reduce our forces and eventually close down the mission” and that the “enemy believed we had lost our will to win” prior to President Trump’s welcomed new South Asia effort in August 2017. (Read more from “Trump’s New Strategy ‘Is Working,’ Afghan Leader Says” HERE)

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Netanyahu Warns: The ‘Tyrants of Tehran’ Want ‘Death to America,’ and You Should All Be Very Concerned

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Americans who aren’t concerned about Iran ought to be, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told LevinTV host Mark Levin on the radio Friday.

Netanyahu noted that one of the main goals of the “tyrants of Tehran” to destroy the United States, and they’re well on their way to because of the chaos ushered in by Obama’s “disastrous” nuclear deal.

It should “concern every American,” the prime minister explained, that the “leading terrorist regime of the world,” one committed to “‘death to America,” could “have nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them to anywhere in the United States.”

Listen:

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Massive Earthquake Devastates Indonesia

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By Townhall. A 7.5 earthquake hit Indonesia’s central coastline in Sulawesi. The earthquake then triggered a 10 foot tsunami. Both events occurred back-to-back on Friday night, the Associated Press reported.

The capital of Central Sulawesi providence houses more than 380,000 people and is built arround a narrow bay that magnified the force of the tsunami waters.

According to disaster agency spokesman Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, in Palu alone, 48 people have been reported dead and hundreds are injured, although he says “many victims” have yet to be accounted ford. (Read more from “Massive Earthquake Devastates Indonesia” HERE)

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Indonesia Earthquake: Dozens Dead in Palu

By BBC News. . .Last month, a series of deadly earthquakes struck the Indonesian island of Lombok, with the biggest, on 5 August, killing more than 460.

Indonesia’s disaster agency said at least 48 people have been killed from the latest quake but that the figure could rise.

“We have not received comprehensive reports yet because communications are cut. Many bodies were found along the shoreline because of the tsunami, but the numbers are still unknown,” Sutopo Purwo Nugroho, a spokesman for the agency, told Reuters.

It is not clear whether the deaths came in the quake or the resulting tsunami.

Palu is home to more than 300,000 people. Rescue operations have started but a minister said that communications had been disrupted and that the runway in the city was damaged, although it was hoped that helicopters would still be able to land. (Read more from “Indonesia Earthquake: Dozens Dead in Palu” HERE)

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Israel Makes Huge Accusation About Iran

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By AP. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is accusing European nations of “appeasing” Iran by trying to renew trade despite Iran’s nuclear activity.

Netanyahu invoked historical European maneuvering in the Middle East while excoriating European leaders for sticking to the 2015 Iranian nuclear accord. It allows for a lifting of sanctions in exchange for curbing Iran’s nuclear activities.

After announcing what he said is new proof of Iranian secret nuclear activity, Netanyahu asked, “Have these European leaders learned nothing from history? Will they ever wake up?” (Read more from “Israel Makes Huge Accusation About Iran” HERE)

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‘Disturbed’ and ‘Disappointed’ Pompeo Slams EU Plan to Bypass Iran Sanctions

By CNBC. America’s top diplomat had harsh words for Europe and its fellow remaining members of the Iranian nuclear deal after it was announced they would develop a financial mechanism to bypass U.S. sanctions and continue doing business with Iran.

Speaking to the conservative lobbying group United Against a Nuclear Iran during the UN General Assembly meetings, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Wednesday he was “disturbed and indeed deeply disappointed” by the European Union’s decision to create a “special purpose vehicle” (SPV) designed to allow trade with Tehran in euros, which would eliminate the need for commercial and central banks who fear U.S. penalties.

Announced jointly with Russia and China, the mechanism as of yet lacks technical details.

“This is one of the of the most counterproductive measures imaginable for regional and global peace and security,” Pompeo said. “By sustaining revenues to the regime, you are solidifying Iran’s ranking as the number one state sponsor of terror.”

The initial announcement of the SPV from EU foreign policy chief Federica Mogherini this week came ahead of a second round of U.S. sanctions set to come down on Iran’s oil sector on November 4. (Read more from “‘Disturbed’ and ‘Disappointed’ Pompeo Slams EU Plan to Bypass Iran Sanctions” HERE)

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China Supposedly Meddling in 2018 Elections

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By AP. Taking center stage at the United Nations, President Donald Trump on Wednesday accused China of trying to interfere in the upcoming U.S. congressional elections because it opposes his tough trade policies. The White House provided scant evidence of anything akin to the level of Russia’s meddling in the 2016 presidential election.

“They do not want me or us to win because I am the first president ever to challenge China on trade,” Trump said as he chaired the U.N. Security Council for the first time. He made his accusation against the backdrop of the special counsel’s investigation into Russian interference in the last election to help him and amid concerns that this November’s elections also could be vulnerable.

Asked later what evidence he had, Trump said there was “plenty” but didn’t immediately provide details, suggesting that some of the material was classified. Instead, he zeroed in on China’s propaganda efforts to flood the heartland with ads and statements against Trump’s billions of dollars in punishing tariffs. (Read more from “China Supposedly Meddling in 2018 Elections” HERE)

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Trade Turmoil Between China and the U.S. Spills Into Military Relations

By CNBC. As the world’s two largest economies exchange tit-for-tat tariffs, there are growing suggestions that the trade turmoil has spilled over into military relations.

China has canceled friendly engagements with the U.S. Navy, possibly due to the trade dispute.

In an interview with CNBC’s Morgan Brennan, Navy Secretary Richard Spencer, the branch’s top civilian, explained the intricate relationship between the two naval forces.

“When we look at China, it’s a very complex situation to say the least because they are also a great trading power,” Spencer said. “We have a major trading power as a competitor,” he added, noting Beijing’s ambitious military buildup.

Spencer’s comments come on the heels of reports that China’s top naval commander canceled a planned visit this week to meet with his American counterpart and that the U.S. was denied a port visit in Hong Kong for its USS Wasp amphibious ship. (Read more from “Trade Turmoil Between China and the U.S. Spills Into Military Relations” HERE)

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Nearly 200 Dead, Including 9-Year-Old Girl, From Flooding

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Water levels continue to rise in Nigeria along with the death toll, after weeks of flooding have devastated the country and killed nearly 200 people, including a 9-year-old who was swept away while fetching water. . .

According to The Guardian, Nigeria’s National Emergency Management Agency reported Thursday that 199 people have died since the Niger and Benue rivers burst their banks in late August due to torrential rains. Another 1,000 people have been injured.

Nigerian media outlet Vanguard reported on Wednesday that one of those killed was a 9-year-old girl, Benedict Uzo, who became caught up in the rushing floodwaters while trying to fill a bucket.

NEMA estimates that more than 800,000 people have been impacted, with over 280,000 left homeless. Four of Nigeria’s 36 states have been declared national disaster areas, and authorities expect things to get worse before they get better. Another eight states have been placed on red alert. . .

Secretary-general of the Nigerian Red Cross, Abubakar Kende told The Guardian that in addition to economic impact from crop and livestock losses, “One of our biggest concerns following extensive floods like this is the threat of cholera and other diseases.” (Read more from “Nearly 200 Dead, Including 9-Year-Old Girl, From Flooding” HERE)

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Trump Sees Progress on Nukes, Plans Second Summit With Kim to Put North Korea on Path to Prosperity

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By Washington Times. President Trump on Wednesday teed up another summit with North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un, claiming major progress toward denuclearization and lining up countries to help usher in an economic renaissance in the reclusive communist state.

The offer of economic prosperity that would go far beyond merely lifting sanctions on Pyongyang was the crux of Mr. Trump’s pitch for Mr. Kim to give up nuclear weapons when they met at a summit June 12 in Singapore.

Mr. Trump said Wednesday that he would meet again with Mr. Kim in the “very near future” and promised an announcement soon of the time and place for the summit.

The leaders could meet as soon as next month but more likely after that, Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said on “CBS This Morning.”

Mr. Trump has been increasingly upbeat about diplomacy with North Korea, with the denuclearization deal back on track after some rough months following the Singapore summit. (Read more from “Trump Sees Progress on Nukes, Plans Second Summit With Kim to Put North Korea on Path to Prosperity” HERE)

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U.S. Seeks to Keep North Korea Sanctions Despite Progress

By Washington Post. Secretary of State Mike Pompeo said Thursday that the world stands at the “dawn of a new day” in relations with North Korea but that international sanctions must remain in place and vigorously enforced if diplomatic efforts to get the country to denuclearize are to succeed — a position that faces resistance from China and Russia.

Chairing a special session of the U.N. Security Council, Pompeo said President Donald Trump’s diplomatic breakthrough with North Korean leader Kim Jong Un has led to a point where the nuclear threat from the country can be resolved. But the “unprecedented diplomatic opening” would close unless the pressure from sanctions is kept up.

“Until the final denuclearization of the DPRK is achieved and fully verified, it is our solemn collective responsibility to fully implement all U.N. Security Council resolutions pertaining to North Korea,” he said, using the initials for the country’s formal name, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea. (Read more from “U.S. Seeks to Keep North Korea Sanctions Despite Progress” HERE)

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Teen Survives Seven Weeks Adrift at Sea Reading Bible, Catching Fish

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An Indonesian teen survived seven weeks at sea drifting on a wooden fishing hut from off the coast of Indonesia to the waters near the U.S. territory of Guam, a distance of approximately 2000 miles.

Aldi Novel Adilang, 19, was working on a floating fishing trap (known as a rompong) anchored some 77 miles off Indonesia’s Sulawesi island when the rope tethering him to the seabed broke on July 14 due to high winds, sending him adrift, the BBC reported.

“My rompong’s rope snapped after it rubbed against my friend’s rompong,” said Adilang, who spoke to BBC Indonesian from his parents’ house near the city of Manado in North Sulawesi. “Unfortunately he was asleep so he didn’t know I was adrift.”

The rompong didn’t have a motor or paddle, and the teen drifted off to sea. His supplies consisted of about a week’s worth of food and water, a two-way radio, and a Bible.

“Rice, clean water, spices, cooking gas, and other supplies ran out. To survive I caught fish and burned the rompong’s wooden fences to make a fire for cooking. I even ate raw fish,” he told the BBC.

Adilang drank seawater to stay hydrated, filtering it through wet clothing he had on board to make it safer and more palatable.

The teen said he offered many tearful prayers to God that he would be rescued so he could see his mother and father again.

He also read his Bible and sang Christian songs.

He despaired at one point and considered committing suicide by jumping into the sea, but his faith helped him overcome the temptation.

Fajar Firdaus, a diplomat at the consulate in Osaka, Japan, told The Jakarta Post that more than ten ships passed Adilang during his time on open waters until on Aug. 31 he was able to get the attention of Panamanian flagged freighter.

He managed to dial his radio to the vessel’s frequency and signaled for help.

“According to video posted by a crew member, (Adilang’s) distress message — ‘Help Help Help’ — reached the cargo ship’s chief mate, Emmanuel Soriano, who informed the captain, Narciso Santillan — who ordered the ship to change course to carry out a rescue operation,” NPR reported.

Once aboard, the teen received food, water, clothing and a haircut.

The ship’s crew took him with them to their next stop, the port of Tokuyama, Japan, on Sept. 6,

From there he was flown to Tokyo and then on to Indonesia, where Adilang was reunited with his family.

The teen has no plans to return to his old job. (For more from the author of “Teen Survives Seven Weeks Adrift at Sea Reading Bible, Catching Fish” please click HERE)

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South Korean President Moon Jae-In Reveals How He Feels About President Trump

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By The Daily Caller. South Korean President Moon Jae-in discussed his relationship with President Trump during an interview with Fox News’ Bret Baier on Tuesday evening.

“Ever since my inauguration last May, I had seven summit meetings with President Trump as well as more than 20 phone calls. I can tell you that I have become more than a friend with President Trump and between the two of us, there is absolutely perfect trust,” he said. (Read more from “South Korean President Moon Jae-In Reveals How He Feels About President Trump” HERE)

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Trump Could Meet With Kim Jong Un by Year’s End

By Fox News. President Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong Un could meet for a second summit before the end of 2018, according to the South Korean president.

South Korean President Moon Jae-in replied “yes” when asked during an interview Tuesday with Fox News’ Bret Baier whether he expected the two world leaders to meet in the “coming weeks.”

And when asked whether that meeting could take place “before the end of the year,” Moon replied: “Yes, I believe so.”

“I traveled to Pyongyang last week and had a very good meeting with Chairman Kim. And through the summit meeting, we had achieved some progress on denuclearization,” Moon recounted. “And also, President Trump yesterday congratulated me on the major success of the meeting I had in Pyongyang. And I look forward to a summit meeting taking place between Chairman Kim and President Trump in the not-too-distant future.” . . .

He added that Kim vowed to “permanently dismantle” both a missile engine test site and a launch platform, in addition to destroying “the nuclear facilities in Yongbyon subject to corresponding measures from the United States.” (Read more from “Trump Could Meet With Kim Jong Un by Year’s End” HERE)

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Trump Has Quite the Warning for China

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By Washington Examiner. President Trump pledged not to “tolerate [China’s] abuse” of the U.S. economy Tuesday, denouncing the rising Pacific power as an predator in international markets at the United Nations General Assembly of world leaders.

“Those days are over,” Trump said of past U.S. trade policy. “We will no longer tolerate such abuse. We will not allow our workers to be victimized, our companies to be cheated, and our wealth to be plundered and transferred. America will never apologize for protecting its citizens.”

Trump identified China’s entrance to the World Trade Organization as a blow to American blue-collar workers, blaming it for the loss of millions of manufacturing jobs and an increase in trade deficits.

Trump has imposed $250 billion in tariffs on Chinese products, prompting China — the world’s second-largest economy — to impose retaliatory tariffs on the U.S. He has imposed additional tariffs on steel and aluminum imports on Canada, Mexico, and European Union, aimed at preventing China from dumping metal through third-party countries. (Read more from “Trump Has Quite the Warning for China” HERE)

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U.S. Trade Chief Says China Policy Change ‘Not Going to Be Easy’

By Reuters. U.S. President Donald Trump’s top trade official said on Tuesday that changing China’s economic policies to become more market-oriented “is not going to be easy” even with tariffs now in place on $250 billion worth of Chinese goods.

U.S. Trade Representative Robert Lighthizer, in rare public remarks at the Concordia Summit, said “endless dialogues” with the Chinese government over decades had “failed miserably” in changing Beijing’s policies, so the Trump administration decided to try direct pressure with tariffs based on its study of China’s intellectual property and technology transfer policies.

After China retaliated against what he called “modest” U.S. tariffs on $50 billion in Chinese technology-focused imports, the Trump administration on Monday slapped 10 percent duties on another $200 billion of Chinese goods, including many consumer products.

“We enter into that soberly with an enormous amount of study, but the fact is that what we were doing demonstrably failed,” Lighthizer said.

“It’s not going to be easy,” Lighthizer said when asked what would result in concessions from Beijing. “Change is never easy, particularly where we have change, where there are U.S. companies that are benefiting from the improper Chinese policy,” he said. (Read more from “U.S. Trade Chief Says China Policy Change ‘Not Going to Be Easy'” HERE)

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