White House was 9/11 target
The week's news at a glance.
Alexandria, Va
In a stunning turnaround, al Qaida conspirator Zacarias Moussaoui testified this week that, along with attempted shoe-bomber Richard Reid, he planned to hijack a fifth plane on Sept. 11, 2001, and crash it into the White House. The surprise admission, delivered during a trial to determine whether Moussaoui would receive life in prison or be executed, contradicts previous claims that he was not part of the 9/11 plot. Against his lawyers’ advice, Moussaoui also testified that after he was arrested in August 2001, he stonewalled investigators because he knew what was coming. "I had knowledge that the twin towers would be hit," he said. If the court determines that Moussaoui’s lying to investigators was responsible for at least one death, he will be sentenced to death.
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Subscribe to 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.
-
5 thin-skinned cartoons about shooting the messenger
Cartoons Artists take on unfavorable weather, a look in the mirror, and more
-
Is Trump's new peacemaking model working in DR Congo?
Talking Point Truce brokered by the US president in June is holding, but foundations of a long-term peace have let to be laid
-
A tour of southern Greenland
The Week Recommends New international airport has given this 'bucolic' island a welcome boost