Newsletter: Today: Kabul’s Big Loss. L.A.’s Homicide Problem Grows.

I'm Davan Maharaj, editor of the Los Angeles Times. The Taliban is resurgent in Afghanistan; Russia and the U.S. keep talking; Los Angeles homicides rise. Here are some story lines I don't want you to miss today.

TOP STORIES

Frenemies

Let's make sure our planes don't collide or shoot each other over Syria. That's just one part of the delicate dance between Moscow and Washington ahead. President Obama and Vladimir Putin don't agree on what, if anything, they achieved in a 95-minute closed-door meeting this week. But it's apparent they will collaborate at some level to keep Syria together and defeat Islamic State.

The Taliban Make a Stand

Taliban fighters this week achieved their most significant victory since the conflict in Afghanistan began in 2001: They took over a major urban center. A fierce counteroffensive to retake Kunduz, the country's fifth largest city, followed. No matter how it plays out, the city's fall has dealt a psychological blow and shaken confidence in the Afghan government, just one year after President Ashraf Ghani took office. 

When L.A. Looks Like Dodge City 

"This is not Dodge City. And unfortunately it looked a little too much like Dodge City this weekend." That's how LAPD Chief Charlie Beck described a "very, very tough weekend" in which 19 people were shot in Los Angeles, five fatally. Homicides are now up nearly 11% this year. What will be the next move for city officials? Plus: The Times' Homicide Report.

What Makes Kamala Harris Run?

U.S. Senate candidate and California Atty. Gen. Kamala Harris has been shaped by many things: Her time as a prosecutor. A messy introduction to politics as a district attorney. (Listen to her talk about leading a failed "palace revolt.") And, though the Democrat rarely talks about it publicly, race: "I don’t feel compelled to sing long ballads about my experiences with injustice." 

One Agency to Rule Them All

The idea is simple: Create a more efficient healthcare system for L.A. County. Supervisors say that's why they voted to combine the three departments that deal with physical, mental and broader public health issues into a single agency. Critics say it's too much for one organization to run. 

CALIFORNIA

-- Debts and a lawsuit are the closing act of the Sunset Strip Music Festival.

-- Murder charges were filed against two men in a UCLA student's death.

-- Steve Lopez: Postcards from the dark side on L.A.'s homeless-filled streets. 

-- An amnesty program for Californians saddled with unpaid traffic tickets takes effect Thursday. 

NATION-WORLD

-- What can we learn from Europe's last major refugee crisis?

-- Planned Parenthood's chief took on Republican critics in an emotional hearing.

-- A year of terrible headlines sees South Africa's homicide rate leap again.

-- Christie Hefner is disappointed in the Obama administration over government secrecy issues.

-- Edward Snowden joins Twitter -- and immediately gets more followers than the NSA.

BUSINESS 

-- What riding in Google's driverless car is like -- for a nondriver.

-- Here's why sharing that Facebook privacy notice is worthless.

-- The Export-Import Bank has been shut for three months, but a bid to reopen it may get pushed. 

-- Tesla unveils its new SUV: the Model X.

SPORTS

-- The Dodgers clinched their third consecutive National League West Division title. 

-- UFC fighter Jon Jones pleads guilty to leaving the scene of an accident and gets 18 months of supervised probation.

ENTERTAINMENT

-- Film critic Kenneth Turan reviews the high-wire spectacle "The Walk," directed by Robert Zemeckis. 

-- TV critic Mary McNamara reviews "Code Black," a new show starring Marcia Gay Harden.

-- Behind the Matt Damon movie "The Martian": lots of research -- and a watery coincidence.

-- The 10 most banned and challenged young-adult books this year.

WHAT OUR EDITORS ARE READING

-- An inspection of King Tut's tomb reveals hints of hidden chambers. (National Geographic)

-- First person: "Why I never sought justice for my father's murder." (The Guardian)

-- For Rep. McCarthy, the likely new House speaker, words still fail him. (Washington Post)

-- Remembering the man behind cricket's commercial success in India. (The Economist)

ONLY IN CALIFORNIA

Shortly after UC Irvine opened its doors 50 years ago, the university was faced with a monumental decision: the selection of a mascot. The options on the ballot were a roadrunner, golden bison, sea hawk and a unicorn. So how did a write-in candidate -- the anteater -- manage to win? 

Please send comments and ideas to Davan Maharaj.