U.S. plane seized
The week's news at a glance.
Harare, Zimbabwe
Zimbabwean authorities impounded a U.S.-registered cargo plane this week that they said was carrying mercenaries and military equipment. State television footage showed sleeping bags, satellite phones, knives, and camouflage clothing in the cargo hold, but no guns. The 64 men on board were said to be mostly white and of various nationalities, including South African. There was no indication that the plane was connected to the U.S. government, but there has been tension between America and Zimbabwe. Last week, the U.S. tightened economic sanctions on Zimbabwe, because of President Robert Mugabe’s violent suppression of political opponents; Information Minister Jonathan Moyo responded, “Tell the imperialist to go to hell.”
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
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.
-
Trump seeks to cut drug prices via executive order
speed read The president's order tells pharmaceutical companies to lower prescription drug prices, but it will likely be thrown out by the courts
-
'Haiti's crisis is a complex problem that defies solution'
Instant Opinion Opinion, comment and editorials of the day
-
Hamas frees US hostage in deal sidelining Israel
speed read Edan Alexander, a 21-year-old soldier, was the final living US citizen held by the militant group