THE GUARDIAN

US to give humanitarian aid to Afghanistan, Taliban say

The United States has agreed to provide humanitarian aid to a desperately poor Afghanistan on the brink of an economic disaster, but refused to give political recognition to the country’s new rulers, the Taliban said on Sunday.

The statement came at the end of the first direct talks between the former foes since the chaotic withdrawal of US troops at the end of August.

THE GUARDIAN

Secret group of US military trainers has been in Taiwan for at least a year

The US has been secretly maintaining a small contingent of military trainers in Taiwan for at least a year, according to a new report, the latest sign of the rising stakes in US-China rivalry.

THE GUARDIAN

Nord Stream 2 approval may cool gas prices in Europe, says Russia

Russia’s deputy prime minister has said certification of the Nord Stream 2 undersea gas pipeline, which is awaiting clearance from Germany’s regulator, could cool soaring European gas prices.

Prices have risen sharply in response to a recovery in demand, particularly from Asia, with storage levels low.

THE GUARDIAN

China could mount full scale invasion of Taiwan by 2025, island’s defence minister says

China will be capable of mounting a full scale invasion of Taiwan by 2025, the island’s defence minister Chiu Kuo-cheng has said, describing current tensions as the worst in 40 years.

THE GUARDIAN

Russian tycoon’s link to alleged corruption in leaked files raises questions for Tory ministers

A Russian-born oil tycoon whose firm has made huge donations to the Conservative party secretly co-owned a company once accused of participating in a massive corruption scheme, according to leaked files seen by the Guardian.

THE GUARDIAN

Pandora papers reveal hidden riches of Putin’s inner circle

In 2020, the investigative website Proekt – one of Russia’s few remaining independent media outlets – claimed Krivonogikh formed a friendship with Putin when he was St Petersburg’s deputy mayor. She became Putin’s lover, it alleged.

THE GUARDIAN

China orders energy firms to secure winter fuel supplies at all costs

China’s central government officials have ordered the top state-owned energy companies to secure fuel supplies for winter at all costs as the country battles a power crisis that threatens to hit growth in the world’s second biggest economy.

THE GUARDIAN

Top US general says Afghan collapse can be traced to Trump-Taliban deal

The collapse of the Afghan government and its security forces can be traced to a 2020 agreement between the Taliban and the Trump administration that promised a complete US troop withdrawal, senior Pentagon officials have told Congress.

¿Qué tanto pesan las fuerzas regionales en el diseño y orientación de las políticas de contención, control o represión que están siendo impulsadas en estos territorios? ¿Cuál es la relación entre los militares y las fuerzas locales? ¿Hasta dónde se trata de una política de estado o del rebasamiento del poder del estado? ¿Qué tanto pesa la decisión de Washington en el diseño de estas políticas? ¿Qué implicaciones adicionales para la región tiene el compromiso establecido con Estados Unidos?

THE GUARDIAN

France cool on efforts by Australia to repair Aukus rift damage

France has said any future talks between Emmanuel Macron and the Australian prime minister, Scott Morrison, over the fallout from Canberra’s decision to tear up a €56bn (£48bn) submarine deal will have to be “seriously prepared” and have “substance”.