Top story: Pakistani intelligence officials and top Taliban aides have both confirmed earlier reports that Taliban commander Baitullah Mehsud was killed in a U.S. drone attack on Wendesday morning. Mehsud had reportedly been seeking treatment for his diabetes at his father in law's house when the drone attacked the village in South Waziristan, also killing his wife and several bodyguards.
Mehsud has long been considered Pakistan's top terrorist leader. He is believed to have organized numerous suicide bombing attacks inside Pakistan and against international troops across the border in Afghanistan. He is also accused of playing a role in the assassination of former prime minister Benazir Bhutto. The U.S. has a $5 million price on his head.
Intelligence officials also reported that leaders of the various Taliban factions plan to meet somewhere in Waziristan today to pick a new leader. But Mehsud's shoes may be tough to fill.
"It is quite a setback for the Taliban movement. He is the one man who really organized Taliban, kept unity among them and really forwarded the agenda with a lot of ... strategic thinking," retired Brigadier Mehmood Shah told Reuters.
Global energy: Turkey and Russia inked a new energy deal that would allow state monopoly Gazprom access to the Black Sea coast in exchange for Russian assistance in building conventional power plants and potentially nuclear reactors.
Middle East
- A series of bombings targeting Shiite worshippers during Friday prayers exploded in Karbala.
- In a leaked memo, a senior Israeli diplomat warned that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's confrontational stance toward the United States was hurting Israel's strategic interests.
- New opposition protests have broken out in Tehran.
Africa
- Visiting South Africa, Secretary of State Hillary Clinton urged the government to do more to pressure Zimbabwe.
- Eritrea denied Clinton's accusation that it is supplying weapons to the Somali insurgency.
- Niger's president is claiming victory in a referendum that would allow him to extend his term.
Asia
- Sri Lankan authorities have arrested the new leader of the Tamil Tigers.
- One of the two journalists recently released from North Korea admitted that they did briefly cross into North Korean territory.
- China executed the director of the Beijing airport on embezzlement charges.
Europe
- Georgia marked the one-year anniversary of its war with Russia.
- Germany's own "cash for clunkers" scheme has been mired by abuse and organized crime.
- French President Nicolas Sarkozy is cracking down on banker bonuses.
Americas
- Barack Obama heads to his first "three amigos" summit with Mexico and Canada this weekend. The drug war and trade are on the agenda.
- The leader of Brazil's senate is under pressure to step down over corruption allegations.
- Demonstrators clashed with U.N. troops in rural Haiti.
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