News
Growing concerns as China steps into the Afghanistan gap
Russia, India and China are set to form relations with the Taliban following the groups return to power after two decades
The Taliban’s return to power after 20 years has left Afghanistan’s neighbours forced to come up with a plan on how to adjust to the group that’s now in charge.
US President Joe Biden in April ordered the Pentagon to withdraw U.S. troops from Afghanistan by Sept. 11, effectively ending America’s longest war.
As U.S. military presence wound down, the Taliban made rapid battlefield advances despite being outnumbered by the Afghan military.
Within just a matter of weeks, the group seized major cities and provincial capitals before entering capital Kabul on Sunday August 15 – forcing the Afghan Government out and taking control of the presidential palace.
Western Nations like Australia, the US and the UK have now began to ramp up efforts to shut down embassies and evacuate civilians, following the fall of Kabul.
However, China and Russia have been the first to make overtures, revealed on Monday, that suggest they could be among the first countries to recognise the group as leaders of the country.
Concerns over China’s relations
China says it is ready to move ahead in its relations with the Taliban.
However – foreign policy experts say Beijing remains apprehensive about what comes next and may not devote a vast security and economic commitment to Afghanistan in the near future.
U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken spoke Monday with Chinese State Councilor and Foreign Minister Wang Yi about developments in Afghanistan.
The State Department stated that the two nations discussed the security situation and the two countries’ respective efforts to bring their people back home to safety.
“China keeps in contact and communication with the Afghan Taliban on the basis of fully respecting Afghanistan’s sovereignty and the will of all parties in the country”
China Said
According to reports, A Chinese Government official met with Taliban political chief Mullah Abdul Ghani Baradar in Tianjin in the hopes that Afghan Taliban would “unite with various political parties and ethnic groups to form a broad and inclusive political structure.”
China, one of the countries that neighbours Afghanistan, pulled out its diplomats in 1993 following the civil war in Afghanistan. The Beijing government never established an official relationship with the Taliban after it seized power in 1996.
News
Epstein hearing explodes over redactions and hidden names
Lawmakers accuse AG Pam Bondi of hiding Epstein-linked names amid congressional hearing, questioning redactions related to billionaire Wexner.
Lawmakers accuse AG Pam Bondi of hiding Epstein-linked names amid congressional hearing, questioning redactions related to billionaire Wexner.
US lawmakers have accused Attorney General Pam Bondi of withholding key names linked to Jeffrey Epstein during a fiery congressional hearing. The confrontation centred on redactions within investigative files that critics argue should have been fully disclosed under federal law.
Representative Thomas Massie pressed the Justice Department over blacked-out sections, specifically questioning references to billionaire Leslie Wexner. Bondi maintained that Wexner’s name was released promptly once flagged, defending the department’s handling of the documents.
Frustration boiled over as lawmakers challenged the extent of the redactions, leading to an extraordinary moment in the hearing as Bondi pushed back and praised President Donald Trump while standing by the department’s review process.
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News
Angus Taylor moves to challenge Sussan Ley for party leadership
Angus Taylor resigns from Coalition frontbench to challenge Sussan Ley amid Liberal Party divisions and declining poll support.
Angus Taylor resigns from Coalition frontbench to challenge Sussan Ley amid Liberal Party divisions and declining poll support.
Angus Taylor has resigned from the Coalition frontbench to launch a leadership challenge against Sussan Ley, declaring he lacks confidence in her ability to rebuild support for the Liberal Party. His move sets up a high-stakes internal contest that could reshape the party’s direction.
Supporters of Mr Taylor are expected to push for a meeting by Friday to trigger a potential leadership spill, intensifying pressure on Ms Ley. Moderate MPs are calling on her to demand clear proof of numbers before any ballot takes place.
With the Liberals trailing in the polls and facing mounting questions over strategy, both camps are outlining starkly different visions for the party’s future as tensions rise in Canberra.
#AustralianPolitics #LiberalParty #AngusTaylor #SussanLey #LeadershipSpill #Canberra #AusPol #PoliticalNews
Satellite images reveal that Iran has buried all three tunnel entrances at its Isfahan nuclear complex. Analysts say the move mirrors defensive preparations taken before U.S. airstrikes devastated the facility last year, with no vehicle or personnel activity visible around the entrances.
The burial appears aimed at limiting damage from potential airstrikes and complicating any ground raid targeting enriched uranium stored in the underground facility. Experts suggest equipment or materials may have been moved into the tunnels for protection, though this remains unconfirmed.
The fortification comes amid ongoing U.S.-Iran tensions. President Trump has demanded Iran curb its nuclear program, warning of military action, while Tehran insists halting uranium enrichment is unacceptable. Recent indirect talks in Oman showed little progress toward a new deal.
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