Taliban leader is dead
The week's news at a glance.
Kandahar, Afghanistan
A top Taliban leader and mastermind of several kidnappings killed himself this week, as Pakistani security forces closed in on his hideout near the Afghan border. Afghan officials hope the death of Abdullah Mehsud will herald an end to a spate of kidnappings of foreigners. In recent months, Taliban fighters have used kidnapping as a political tool, choosing victims from coalition countries perceived as waffling in their support for the U.S.-led war. At least three German civilians were snatched last month, and more than two dozen Chinese and South Korean workers were taken in the past two weeks.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
-
‘A legacy news brand brings a visibility of its own’
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
8 of the best ‘cozy crime’ series of all time
The Week Recommends Murder mysteries don’t necessarily have to make us miserable, and these shows have perfected a feel-good crime formula
-
Youth revolts rattle Morocco as calls against corruption grow louder
THE EXPLAINER Snowballing controversy over World Cup construction and civic services has become a serious threat to Morocco’s political stability