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Who is the ‘Abdul’ Trump mentioned from the Taliban?

Former President Trump during Tuesday night’s debate recounted a threat he made to “Abdul … the head of the Taliban” as he and Vice President Harris engaged about the Biden administration’s handling of the deadly withdrawal from Afghanistan in 2021.

Trump’s story came from when he was president, and he said the threat came because of the deaths of U.S. soldiers.

“I got involved. And Abdul is the head of the Taliban. He is still the head of the Taliban,” Trump said. “And I told Abdul, ‘Don’t do it anymore. You do it anymore, you’re going to have problems.’ And he said, ‘Why do you send me a picture of my house?’ I said, ‘You’re going to have to figure that out, Abdul.’ And for 18 months we had nobody killed.”

It’s not clear who Trump was referring to.

Hibatullah Akhundzada is the Taliban’s leader, having been in charge since 2016.

Trump has talked about an “Abdul” before in discussing the Taliban. Trump in the past has said that then-Secretary of State Mike Pompeo negotiated with “Abdul,” which could be a reference to top Taliban policy leader Abdul Ghani Baradar.

Baradar met with Pompeo in Qatar in 2020 and was among the group’s negotiators with the Trump administration over the withdrawal of U.S. troops from Afghanistan.

Trump previously discussed his “rough call” with “the leader of the Taliban, Abdul,” during an interview with Fox News personality Sean Hannity in 2022.

“I said, ‘Don’t do it,’” Trump told Hannity. “It was strong. And he understood it.”

After Hannity hinted at Trump’s threat of repercussions on the call, the former president replied: “We had a strong phone call. Let’s put it that way.”

Rep. Wesley Hunt (R-Texas) also told a similar version of the story this summer during an appearance on former ESPN host Sage Steele’s podcast.

“President Trump looked at the Taliban leader and said this ‘If you harm a hair on a single American, I’m going to kill you,’” Hunt said, noting the use of a satellite photo of the “leader of the Taliban’s home” in the threat.

Video of Hunt’s recounting of his “favorite” Trump story went viral, and Fox News host Greg Gutfeld, who is in direct contact with the former president and whose show Trump watches, named the video as the “Gutfeld!” video of the day July 3.

“Whatever you think about Trump, he knew how to motivate people, right?” Gutfeld said after airing the video of Hunt’s retelling.

Gutfeld, comedian Joe Machi, Fox News contributor George “Tyrus” Murdoch and others on the show went on to regale the story of Trump’s “jaw-dropping” show of “masculinity.”

The Trump administration did not include the alleged threat to the Taliban leader in its official communications about the deal the then-president struck in 2020 to bring troops out of Afghanistan. Taliban spokesperson Zabihullah Mujahid hasn’t responded to Trump’s story on his official X social media feed.

The Associated Press has reported there was no year-and-a-half stretch during Trump’s presidency without combat deaths among U.S. service members.

There was an 18-month span in the final months of Trump’s term that stretched into the Biden administration before the Afghanistan withdrawal where no U.S. soldiers were killed.

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Alberto Fujimori, former president of Peru who was convicted for human rights abuses, dies at 86

LIMA, Peru – Alberto Fujimori, whose decade-long presidency began with the triumph of stabilizing Peru’s economy and quelling a violent insurgency but ended in disgrace due to autocratic excesses that led to his imprisonment, has died at the age of 86.

Fujimori was pardoned in December for his convictions related to corruption and his responsibility for the murders of 25 people. In July, his daughter announced that he was contemplating a fourth presidential run in 2026.

A former university president and mathematics professor, Fujimori rose from obscurity to defeat writer Mario Vargas Llosa in Peru’s 1990 elections. He inherited a country beset by rampant inflation and guerrilla violence, and he revitalized the economy through bold measures such as mass privatizations of state-owned industries. His decisive actions against the Shining Path rebels garnered him widespread support.
Alberto Fujimori, who served as Peru’s president from 1990 to 2000, was sentenced in 2009 to 25 years in prison for orchestrating the killings of 25 Peruvians during the government’s battle against the Shining Path communist insurgents. These charges initiated prolonged legal battles.

Despite being incarcerated in a prison on the outskirts of Lima, Peru’s capital, Fujimori has continued to pursue political ambitions. In July, his daughter Keiko announced his intention to run for the presidency in 2026. Fujimori has yet to clarify how he plans to circumvent a Peruvian law that prohibits individuals convicted of corruption from running for the positions of president or vice-president.

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Draghi urges reform, massive investment to revive lagging EU economy

By Philip Blenkinsop

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – The European Union requires significantly more coordinated industrial policies, swifter decision-making processes, and substantial investments to stay economically competitive with the United States and China, Mario Draghi highlighted in a highly anticipated report released on Monday.

The European Commission had tasked the former European Central Bank President and Italian Prime Minister a year ago to draft a strategy on maintaining the EU’s competitive edge in an increasingly digital and environmentally sustainable global economy amid rising international tensions.

In the initial segment of the report, which spans approximately 400 pages, Draghi emphasized that the EU needs additional annual investments ranging between 750-800 billion euros ($829-884 billion), equating to up to 5% of GDP. This figure far exceeds the 1-2% investment of the Marshall Plan, which was instrumental in rebuilding Europe post-World War Two.

While EU member states have already begun adapting to these new global challenges, Draghi’s report notes that their efforts are hampered by a lack of coordination.
Variations in subsidy levels between countries were disrupting the single market, while fragmentation hindered the scale necessary for global competition. Additionally, the EU’s decision-making process remained complex and slow.

“The EU must refocus its efforts on the most urgent issues, ensure efficient policy coordination towards common goals, and utilize existing governance procedures in innovative ways that allow member states desiring faster progress to do so,” stated the report.

For the past two decades, EU growth has consistently lagged behind that of the United States, with China rapidly closing the gap. Much of this disparity is attributed to lower productivity.

Draghi’s report emerges amidst growing concerns over Germany’s economic model, historically the EU’s engine, as Volkswagen considers its first-ever plant closures.

Draghi highlighted that the EU is grappling with higher energy prices following the loss of access to cheap Russian gas and can no longer depend on open foreign markets.
The former central banker emphasized the need for the bloc to enhance innovation and lower energy costs while maintaining its commitment to decarbonization. Additionally, he highlighted the importance of reducing dependencies on external sources, particularly China for critical minerals, and increasing investment in defense.

($1 = 0.9051 euros)

(Reporting by Philip Blenkinsop; Editing by Hugh Lawson)

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Market expert says the Kamala Harris-backed unrealized capital gains tax would be an ‘unmitigated disaster’

Vice President and Democratic presidential candidate Kamala Harris has expressed her support for the Biden administration’s proposed tax increases.

A particularly contentious proposal aims to implement a 25% minimum tax on total income, including unrealized capital gains, for individuals with wealth exceeding $100 million.

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    Jason Katz, managing director and senior portfolio manager at UBS, is a vocal critic of the proposed measure targeting the wealthiest Americans. In an interview with Fox Business, Katz vehemently opposed the proposal, labeling it “an unmitigated disaster.”

Capital gains refer to the increase in value of an asset over time. When an asset is sold and this increase is converted into cash, it results in realized capital gains, which are generally subject to taxation. Conversely, unrealized gains are the increases in value that have not yet been realized through a sale and are not currently taxable.

While Vice President Harris has largely endorsed President Biden’s tax policy proposals, she has indicated a preference for a smaller increase in the capital gains tax rate for the wealthy compared to Biden’s plan. This suggests that she might also diverge from his approach in other aspects, potentially opting not to tax unrealized capital gains.

‘Accounting nightmare’
Katz raised concerns about the practical challenges of implementing a tax on unrealized capital gains, emphasizing its complexity in execution and calculation.

To illustrate his point, he presented a hypothetical scenario: “Consider an ultra-high-net-worth individual who purchases $100 million worth of Amazon stock, which then appreciates to $150 million. If a 23% tax is applied to the $50 million gain in the first year, what happens if the stock value drops back to $100 million in the second year? Will the government rebate the tax from the previous year?”

This question highlights the difficulties of taxing assets in a highly volatile market where values can fluctuate dramatically. In the stock market, substantial gains in one year, often referred to as “paper gains,” can disappear the next. The concept of being taxed on gains that have not been realized in cash is particularly troubling, especially when those gains are no longer present.
Katz foresaw several negative outcomes for the proposal, stating, “It would be an accounting nightmare, and it would also drain money from the capital markets.”

Additionally, Katz criticized the tax’s extension to other asset classes, such as real estate, where investors also see unrealized gains. He questioned the policy’s practicality, asking, “Are real estate owners expected to liquidate their properties to pay these taxes? It makes no sense whatsoever.”

Who Should Be Concerned?
In the “Reasons for Change” section of the Treasury Department’s explanation of the revenue proposal, it is noted, “Preferential treatment for unrealized gains disproportionately benefits high-wealth taxpayers and provides many high-wealth taxpayers with a lower effective tax rate than many low- and middle-income taxpayers.”

This raises an important question: Will the proposed tax impact the average American?
The proposal explicitly targets “taxpayers with wealth (defined as assets minus liabilities) exceeding $100 million.”

This category encompasses only a minuscule portion of the population. A 2023 report by Henley & Partners indicates that around 10,660 Americans possess wealth of $100 million or more, representing roughly 0.003% of the U.S. populace.

Consequently, this tax would not directly impact the overwhelming majority of Americans. Nonetheless, given the significant capital held by those subject to the tax, there could be indirect repercussions on the markets.
However, Katz remains skeptical about the ultimate impact of the tax, recalling a conversation with publishing magnate Steve Forbes. “While they claim this will only apply to those with a net worth exceeding $100 million, as I discussed with Steve Forbes, it often begins there but eventually permeates other areas of the tax system,” Katz explained.

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Hedge funds flock to Japan as market heats up

HONG KONG (Reuters) – Amidst a generally subdued $400 billion hedge fund sector in Asia, Japan has distinguished itself by attracting new fund launches while other regions experience closures. This trend indicates that the significant market volatility in August has not hindered the revival of Japanese capital markets.

Since 2023, hedge fund closures have outnumbered new launches across Asia, primarily due to the struggling Chinese stock market.

Contrastingly, Japan-focused funds have seen a net increase of over 10 during the same period, according to data from Preqin. Additionally, at least five more Japan-focused funds are either launching or preparing to debut in the third and fourth quarters of the year. These funds encompass a range of strategies, from equity long-short to quantitative approaches, as reported by fund managers or individuals familiar with their plans.

Both domestic and international launches are gaining traction and are being well received by investors.
They highlight a renewed confidence in Japan, long neglected by hedge funds and a wide range of other investors, recently shaken by the biggest single-day stock market drop since 1987. This suggests that Japan’s financial markets are revitalizing after decades on the sidelines for many major investors.

“Japan is finally changing in a positive way, with inflation and wage growth,” said Soichi Utsumi, founder of Shinka Capital Management, which is launching a Japan equity long-short fund.

“I’ve never seen such significant trends in my entire professional career,” added Utsumi, who was previously a partner at hedge fund Asia Research & Capital Management Limited.

In July, Japanese equity markets reached all-time highs, driven by a surge in foreign interest and a push for corporate governance reforms. Interest rates have entered positive territory and are rising for the first time in recent memory, coinciding with economic growth.
Utsumi stated that his fund will concentrate on governance changes and opportunities arising from increasing interest rates, and advisors report that these themes are gaining traction with investors.

“We’ve observed a growing interest in Japan-focused managers,” said Jon Caplis, CEO of hedge fund research firm PivotalPath.

JAPANESE MARKET TURBULENCE

The resurgence of Japanese markets was abruptly halted in early August when a rate hike by the Bank of Japan, coupled with weakening U.S. economic data, led to a sudden appreciation of the yen and a subsequent stock market decline.

Despite these fluctuations, hedge funds remain undeterred by the Japanese market’s volatility.

Hong Kong’s $700 million ActusRayPartners is preparing to launch a new Japan strategy later this month, aiming to raise $100 million by year-end.

The quant fund viewed the market selloff positively, interpreting it as a reversal of a crowded short position on the yen.

Additional encouragement comes from the fact that interest rates have been raised twice this year.
As interest rates are projected to rise further, “this inevitably introduces some market volatility, making it difficult for ‘zombie companies’ to survive, which benefits the long-short strategy,” remarked Tetsuo Ochi, CIO at MCP Group. MCP Group is a $2.5 billion alternative investment firm that predominantly assists Japanese institutions in making global investments.

In August, MCP Group launched a rare Japan-focused fund of hedge funds, attracting a 10 billion yen ($70 million) investment from Japanese insurer Dai-ichi Life, according to MCP.

Dai-ichi Life’s investment is intended to support emerging managers and contribute to revitalizing Japan as an asset management hub, the insurer noted in a separate statement.

Additionally, two other new Japan-focused funds have been introduced: the multi-manager platform Penglai Peak Offshore Fund and OQ Funds Management’s new Japan strategy. Bloomberg previously reported on the latter, citing the fund’s manager. Lighthouse Investment Partners, the owner of Penglai Peak, did not respond to requests for comment.
A recent Preqin survey conducted in August revealed that an increasing number of global investors intend to decrease hedge fund allocations in their portfolios, citing returns that have fallen behind certain benchmarks.

In contrast, Japan’s long-short equity funds have shown a strong performance, achieving positive returns in 70% of quarters over the past five years up to the second quarter of 2024, as reported by With Intelligence.

($1 = 143.6000 yen)

(Reporting by Summer Zhen; Editing by Tom Westbrook and Shri Navaratnam)

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Morgan Stanley cuts oil forecast again as concerns deepen

Morgan Stanley has again revised its Brent crude price forecasts downward, citing mounting demand challenges and abundant supply. According to a note from analysts led by Martijn Rats, the global benchmark is now expected to average $75 a barrel in the fourth quarter. This is a decrease from an earlier projection of $80 for the same period, which had already been reduced from a prior forecast of $85 just last month. Forecasts for most of the coming year have also been slightly adjusted downward.

Recently, Brent crude prices have plummeted to their lowest levels since late 2021. This decline is attributed to persistent concerns over weakening demand from China and indications of a potential slowdown in the US economy. Concurrently, ample output has led OPEC+ to postpone plans to ease its production curbs.
“The recent trajectory of oil prices bears similarities to previous periods marked by significant demand weakness,” Rats and his colleagues noted in their report dated Sept. 9. They observed that time spreads—price comparisons along the futures curve—suggested the potential for “recession-like inventory builds.” However, they emphasized that it was too early to adopt this scenario as the bank’s base case.

Morgan Stanley’s reassessment of the oil market outlook has been echoed by other leading financial institutions. Last month, Goldman Sachs Group Inc. downgraded its forecast, and more recently, Citigroup Inc. indicated that the market appeared oversupplied, predicting that prices could average $60 a barrel in 2025 unless OPEC+ implements deeper production cuts.

Brent crude, which plummeted almost 10% last week, traded near $72 a barrel on Monday. Major commodity trader Trafigura Group, speaking at an industry conference in Singapore, forecasted that prices are likely to decline into the $60s in the near future.

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From paragliding, kayaking to scuba diving: 5 top adrenaline-surging adventure sports and where to try them in India

The mundane humdrum of life is all about the steadfast flow of ceaseless familiarity and monotony. Buried beneath the cycle of the regular, daily routine, is the enthused urge to feel the thunder in the rib cage and break away from all the slow pace of life. While travel is a moment of unwinding for others, for some it’s time to live and get high on adrenaline. For those yearning to escape the confines of boredom and embrace the thrill of the unknown, try these adventure sports:

Paragliding


It’s an extreme aerial adventure sport where you soar through the sky and enjoy the sprawling vistas and skylines, where everything from above looks like a part of a miniature world. The adrenaline rush is addictive when you witness the beautiful views. Bir Billing, located in Himachal Pradesh is one of the best places to try paragliding in India. Here, the lush greenery of the forest at the foothills of the Himalayas offers otherworldly views, as the cerulean sky meets the verdant sea beneath and converges to enthrall you. Paragliding at Bir Billing will become one of your most cherished core memories for a long time.
Bungee Jumping

Bungee Jumping


Take the trust fall to the extreme level and go Bungee Jumping. With only a cord securing you, the freefall is refreshing and adrenaline-fueled. Be in sync with gravity and scream your worries and anxieties as you plunge. Located near Mohan Chatti Village in Rishikesh, you’ll find India’s highest bungee jumping spot at a thrilling 83 m.

xplore the underwater world and glide alongside marine creatures. Be prepared to be awed by the coral structures and all the wonders of underwater life. It truly feels surreal, almost like being on another planet. With scuba gear, you’ll be able to comfortably breathe and observe the marine life up close. Andaman and Nicobar Islands’ Havelock Island is perfect for adventure-seekers, offering a wide range of marine species and vibrant coral formations.

Sky Diving

Sky diving has a maddening thrill of freefall from 10,00 feet in the air, and falling straight towards Earth, a moment of true adrenaline. Your body feels light and your stomach tumbles as you pierce through the winds. There’s something extremely lion-hearted about this adventure sport. Aamby Valley in Maharashtra is one of the best locations for skydiving. The bird’s eye view of Lonavala is simply mesmerising.

Kayaking


A water-based adventure sport, Kayaking is fun and involves a small, narrow and enclosed boat with a double-bladder paddle. It’s a relatively relaxing sport as you decide the intensity by choosing the water current you want to ride on. Rishikesh Ganges is ideal for Kayaking, both for beginners and pros. Ganges has gentle streams as well as thundered currents. River Kayaking is an unmissable activity in Rishikesh.

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“Black Monkey King” fire, each version of the Monkey King to compete, Stephen Chow miserably surpassed

More than just an everyday pastime, games can become a cultural masterpiece, affecting the emotions and memories of a generation. For example, the recent “Black Monkey” game not only leads the integration of technology and entertainment, but also embedded a profound cultural reinterpretation, so that we have a new image of the traditional “Monkey King”.

First of all, the Monkey King in the game is no longer the traditional image we are familiar with, but a rich multi-dimensional modern hero. The detail of the picture is one thing, but what is more attractive is the endless character description and story direction. He is no longer just a pronoun of fierce and funny, and his more diverse and complex temperament makes him closer to the hero of modern understanding.

Technological upgrades are a plus. With the most cutting-edge graphics rendering, physics engine power, combat and visual impact will undoubtedly push the player experience to a new level. A dramatic swing of the magic wand in your imagination, delivered to your every nerve through real physical feedback.

In addition to technical aspects, interpersonal communication is also a success factor. For example, through multi-person collaborative tasks to enhance the tacit understanding between teams, sharing hardships and fighting together gives a sense of participation and achievement. The social nature of the game is cleverly amplified, reinforcing the sense of community among the player community.

We may wish to compare, for example, Stephen Chow’s version of the Monkey King brings people the resonance of joy and sorrow, while Liu Xiao Ling’s version carries a kind of orthodox texture of the original, each has its own distinctive characteristics to move people’s hearts. Today’s “Black Monkey”, in a new mode to combine modern technology and traditional charm, to construct an unprecedented Oriental hero map, for modern players to spread a different scene.

The blessing of access to AI undoubtedly makes the creative team easy. From map design to character behavior, with the help of efficient intelligence, the development cycle is greatly shortened and the imagination is infinitely enlarged. What makes this game so different from ordinary games is that it pushes the boundaries of art with the boundaries of technology.

All in all, through the new interpretation of classic characters, combined with the most cutting-edge technology, “Black Monkey” shows us a new look of an ancient cultural symbol into the modern world. Let the player not only feel free in the game, but also feel satisfied and inspired at the emotional and intellectual level. This may be the real reason why the popularity of Black Goku continues unabated, and it is also the fundamental reason why it can become a temporary choice.

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