Tuesday Morning News – July 13, 2021

For WORLD Radio, I’m Kent Covington.

Senior US general in Afghanistan relinquishes command The senior US general in Afghanistan stepped down from his command in a ceremony in Kabul on Monday.

General Scott Miller handed over command to Naval General Frank McKenzie, who said Monday’s ceremony marked an important step in the transition of our involvement in Afghanistan.

MCKENZIE: But that’s not the end of the story. Rather, it is the end of a chapter. More chapters will be written and the story will continue. What this means, today’s ceremony signifies our renewed commitment to our Afghan partners.

McKenzie, the head of the US central command, will oversee operations remotely from the headquarters of the central command in Tampa.

He will have the power to carry out possible airstrikes to defend Afghan government forces at least until the United States completes its withdrawal next month.

The handover ceremony came as the Taliban continue to conquer more and more territory across the country.

Afghanistan’s national security adviser Hamdullah Mohib said the US and NATO withdrawal had left a void. As a result, he said, Afghan forces have already found themselves stranded on the battlefield without supplies, sometimes running out of food and ammunition.

Biden expresses support for Cuban protesters President Biden said on Monday that the United States stood alongside Cuban protesters who took to the streets, demanding changes to the Communist regime in Cuba.

BIDEN: The Cuban people demand their release from an authoritarian regime. And I don’t think we’ve seen anything like this manifestation for a very, very long time.

Thousands in dozens of cities are publicly protesting against food shortages and high prices amid the pandemic. It is one of the biggest anti-government protests on the island in recent memory.

Cuban dictator Miguel Diaz-Canel said the United States was stirring up unrest. He blamed the protests on what he called a deceptive social media campaign.

CANEL (translated): Over the past two weeks, a social media campaign against the Cuban revolution has intensified, exposing the source of the problem around the problems and shortages we face, as this is how it is created to try to create dissent, dissatisfaction.

Citing this alleged campaign, the Cuban government has blocked social media sites in the country.

Biden hosts White House meeting on crime reduction President Biden welcomed city and law enforcement officials from across the country to the White House on Monday to talk about soaring crime rates and what to do about it. The president told reporters:

BIDEN: While there is no one-size-fits-all approach, we know some things work. And the first of those that works is to stem the flow of firearms used to commit violent crimes.

Shootings and murders are on the rise across the country, with local politicians and police struggling to deal with the violence.

Attorney General Merrick Garland and several anti-violence experts joined the White House meeting. They spoke about federal law enforcement efforts, including new strike forces in several major cities. They are accused of arresting gun traffickers and implementing a new zero tolerance policy for dealers who sell guns illegally.

The president recently announced a list of proposals to address the issue, including plans to provide funding to cities that need more policing. But many of the proposed measures are little more than suggestions to local governments.

White House: Hatis’ request for US troops under consideration White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki said Monday that Haiti’s request for US troops to help stabilize the country was under consideration. She added that President Biden was closely monitoring the situation in Haiti.

PSAKI: Certainly, the safety and security of the Haitian people are of great interest to the president and to the administration.

A 7-member team of US security officials returned from Haiti on Monday after a short visit. They met with key leaders of the Haitian government and reviewed the security of critical infrastructure there.

Haitian officials are scrambling to deal with the growing unrest following the assassination of President Jovenel Mose last Wednesday.

President Biden said on Monday

BIDEN: The Haitian people deserve peace and security and Haitian political leaders must unite for the good of their country.

The White House suggested that Haiti’s political uncertainty was a complicating factor in determining whether to grant the government’s request for US troops.

Meanwhile, Haitian authorities have arrested a Haitian businessman living in Florida in connection with Moises’ assassination. They identified the suspect as Christian Emmanuel Sanon, 62, who has previously expressed a desire to rule his country in a YouTube video.

Authorities also suspect dozens of former Colombian soldiers in the murder. Twenty-three of them are in detention, as well as three Haitians.

Condo collapse toll rises to 94 The death toll in the South Florida condominium collapse rose to 94 on Monday. Twenty-two people are now missing.

Surfside, Florida Mayor Charles Burkett told reporters

BURKETT: The search continues until everyone trapped in the debris is removed.

Burkett said officials decided to tighten security around the debris pile to ensure the property is returned to its rightful owners.

The workers recovered everything, from jewelry to several paintings.

Police said there had been no crime at the site, but officials want to make sure the area is secure.

I am Kent Covington. For more information, features, and analytics, visit wng.org.

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