January 18th Morning Readbook

Taliban attacks target Afghan government




Kabul "under control" after brazen Taliban assault
Taliban gunmen launched a brazen assault on targets in the center of Kabul on Monday, with suicide bombers blowing themselves up at several locations and heavily armed militants fighting a pitched battle in a shopping center.


Pak should take more steps to tackle Taliban: Holbrooke
 U.S. special envoy Richard Holbrooke on Monday said he expects “more action” from Pakistan in tackling Taliban and other issues.


'Chemical Ali' to be hanged within days
One of Saddam Hussein's most loathed henchman, Ali Hassan al-Majid, otherwise known as Chemical Ali, will be hanged within days, a senior official said tonight, setting the scene for Iraq's highest profile execution since Saddam himself was put to death more than three years ago.


Shell signs Iraq oil field deal
Oil giant Shell and Malaysia's state-run Petronas oil company finalised a contract on Sunday to develop Iraq's giant Majnoon oil field.


Qaeda says fighters alive, Yemen vows more strikes
The Yemen-based wing of al Qaeda said on Monday its fighters had survived an air strike last week that Yemeni officials said killed six leaders of the militant group.


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