October 24th Morning Readbook

Taliban threaten Afghan run-off vote, urge boycott
The Taliban called on Afghans on Saturday to boycott next month's presidential election run-off and vowed to disrupt voting in a repeat of their threat to derail the disputed first round.


Army captures Pakistani Taliban leader's hometown
The army captured the strategically located hometown of Pakistan's Taliban chief Saturday after fierce fighting, officials said, snagging its first big prize in a major U.S.-backed offensive along the Afghan border.


India a strategic ally, says US
In a balancing act, the United States has termed its relationship with India as “strategic and important’’ while calling Pakistan a “treasured friend and ally’’.


The Kirkuk conundrum
Iraqi democracy is stuck in a constitutional hiatus over the Kurdish-dominated region that threatens to derail elections


Iraqi cleric's aide warns of chaos if vote delayed
A delay in the January parliamentary election could lead to chaos, a top aide to Iraq's Shiite spiritual leader warned Friday, as lawmakers remained deadlocked over legislation that would regulate the crucial national vote. Sheik Abdul-Mahdi al-Karbalaie, the representative of Grand Ayatollah Ali al-Sistani in the holy city of Karbala, said the revered cleric wants elections — set for January 16 — to be held on time.


Iran May Qualify for Nuclear Fuel Supply Plan, Poneman Says
Iran may qualify for imports of uranium under an international program to provide countries with “cradle-to-grave” supplies of nuclear fuel for peaceful purposes, Deputy U.S. Energy Secretary Daniel Poneman said.


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