baitullah mehsud's cv is written in blood. he is accused of arranging the assassination of former prime minister benazir bhutto. he is linked to the bombing of the hotel in islamabad which claimed over 50 lives. his home has been a sanctuary for al-qaeda, a problem for britain and the u.s.. he has focused on targets here at home, bombing of pakistan because it backs the west. security in islamabad is being stepped up for fierce his followers could try to take revenge. -- for fears his followers could try to take revenge. he declared war on his own country and people. they told us they do not believe he is dead. they have heard that before. others say they have a sense of relief, not just for pakistan, but for the world. >> we do not need these people in power. we are not believing in what he is doing. he is absolutely bad for us and our nation. >> another said that america was bad, too, for killing innocent civilians with drones. it was a drone which targeted baitullah mehsud, able to reach him in a remote terrain where troops

baitullah mehsud had a $5 million down the on his head. it is claimed he died when two missiles were shot into my home on wednesday. taliban sources have told the bbc he is dead. there has been no confirmation of this. >> he has been the most wanted man in pakistan, with a five million-dollar bounty on his head. there'these are rare pictures of baitullah mehsud. the stronghold had been targeted. there are indications the home of one of baitullah mehsud's relatives holmes was hit by a missile. officials in pakistan are still trying to piece together the intelligence. >> to be 100% sure, we are going for ground verification. once the ground verification reconfirms this, then we will be 100% sure. >> baitullah mehsud is accused of having been behind a wave of suicide attacks and the assassination of the pakistani prime minister. if his death is confirmed, it will be seen as a setback for the taliban in pakistan and a major success for the authorities. it may have less of an impact on nato and afghan forces to deal with the taliban led insurge

he is baitullah mehsud. it is confirmed to the associated press that he is dead. the white house says it is true. the people of pakistan are safer tonight. >> this is an individual whose title as a murderous thug was well-deserved. shepard: baitullah mehsud was deeply feared inside pakistan and blame for assassinating the former prime minister benazir bhutto. investigators linked him to last year's suicide attack on a marriott hotel in the capital. he was believed to be sending recruits across the border to hit targets in afghanistan. u.s. forces have been pounding his turf right on the border between afghanistan and pakistan. it looks like they finally got their killer. it is not yet 100% confirm. we cannot independently verify it. we are still looking for more evidence. if it is the case, it is a serious setback for the taliban. by definition, a hugely positive step for the rest of the world. we have team fox coverage tonight. jonathan pond has more on what the man has represented. first, jennifer graff and at the pentagon with more details. how will we know for

hello to yo there are strg iications thatakistan's's most wand man, taliban commder baitullah mehsud,has been killed. itas thought h has led a qaeda's campaign to make pakistan ungovernable ere is no officia confirmation. ed sources tell the b he is dead anduried. american and pakistani officials are also telling our correspoence they believe he is dead. this from our corresponden in islamabad. >> a glime ofakistan's most wanted man -- baitullah mehsud. his chiingessage at this news conferenceast yearas that suicide bombers were his atom bomb. he ide wanted to die for his cause. e indications are, he got his wish. baitulla mehsu's cv is written in ood. he is acsed of arranng e assassinatn of former prime minister benir bhutto. he is lind to the bombing of th hotel in islamabad whi claimed over 50 lives. his home has been a sancary for al-qaeda, a problem f britain andhe u.s.. he has focud on targets here home, bomng of pakistan cause backs the west. serity in islamabad is being stepped up for fierce his followers cld try to ke revenge. --or fears his followers could try to te revenge.

baitullah mehsud was targeted by one of the drones, remote control from the u.s. and increasingly used to hunt the taliban. he is believed to have commanded between 10,020 thousand fighters. experts here warn there are others waiting to take his place. bbc news, a islamabad. >> in afghanistan, three british soldiers have been killed, and a fourth is critically injured. a vehicle was hit with a roadside bomb. in surgeons opened fire. casualties' have been at record levels, ahead of presidential elections this month. the white house has been making much of it u.s. unemployment reaching 10%. the jobless total actually fell, marginally, to 9.4%. that left economists wondering what it means. we will look at the global picture in a moment. first this from new york. >> optimism is creeping back to wall street. a better than expected unemployment picture has raised hopes further that the long u.s. recession is waning. companies did cut almost a quarter of a million jobs in july, but the trend is improving. in three months, the companies cut on average 31,000 jobs from pay

military appears to have killed baitullah mehsud with one of those drone missile strikes. u.s. officials aren't confirming it but pakistani government sources say he was killed on wednesday. they say they've verified it with family members and they say there were eyewitnesses at his burial which is about a half mile from where the drone fired missile landed. joining us now is a journalist who spent two years as a freelance journalist in pakistan traveling through some of the most dangerous areas of the country and meeting with senior members of the taliban including some who had direct contact with baitullah mehsud. on my summer vacation this year i was completely taken by his new book about those experiences called "to live or to perish forever, two tumultuous years in pakistan." thanks very much for joining us. >> thanks for having me on, rachel. >> you met with senior taliban leaders who had direct contact with baitullah mehsud. how did they regard him? what kind of role did he have? >> well, you know, i met most of the senior taliban leaders in late 2007, the fall of 2007,

but two of baitullah mehsud's lieutenants have echoed the flame he was killed.the west blames baitullah mehsud for the 2007 assassination of former prime minister benazir bhutto. his death would leave a leadership hole linked to al qaeda and responsible for a link of suicide bombings and other attacks. but with several deputies vying to secede him, it probably won't be empty for long. richard roth, cbs news, london. >>> government officials will go to the site to verify baitullah mehsud's death. >>> a 21-year-old army ranger died protecting our country but even in our death, he macked to safe a life. when he was killed in afghanistan last month, his family decided to donate all of his organs. his heart beats inside 56-year- old judy meckle who lives in chicago. she was diagnosed with heart disease and without the heart transplant, she says she would have died. >> i don't think there could be a better tribute than -- in my case, ben's big heart to have his heart keep beating inside me. >> his organs will save dozens of people. he's credited with saving six soldie

he was also a close aide of the talin chief, baitullah mehsud. w, crucially, he is repted to have confirmed that baitullah mehsud dead, kille in a u.s. drone a strike. that is what officials in washington he been ciming for tw weeks, they have n been able to prove it. these latest delopments will be welcom news for washington'envoy richard horooke, who is in the regn. he s been highlighti pakistan and's ined against the liban, that he admits is too soon to know whether they have been destroyed or dispersed. the authorities believe the militas are seriously weakened, leader of less -- leaderle, andn disarray. ey hope that internal cflict will dmore damage. thtalibanould regrp, as they have done before. bbc ws,s all about. >> nigerian police are sying they want to interview 19former ban executives aut a $6 billion bailout. last week, the ctralank saed the bosses of several bank cludingntercontinental bank, oceanic bank, union bank, and others. shes have been suspendedn the nigerian sck exchange. more than 600 children develod lead poisoning in a vi

he was also a close aide of the taliban chief, baitullah mehsud. now, crucially, he is reported to have confirmed that baitullah mehsud is dead, killed in a u.s. drone strike. that is what officials here and in washington have been claiming for almost two weeks, but they have not been able to prove it. these latest developments will be welcome news for washington's envoy, richard holbrooke, who is in the region. he has been highlighting gains against the taliban, but he admits it is too soon to know if they have been destroyed or dispersed. the authorities believe the militants art seriously weakened. they are in disarray. the are hoping internal power struggles will do more damage. -- they are hoping internal power struggles will do more damage. the taliban could regroup, as they have done before. bbc news, islamabad. >> police in nigeria wants to interview 19 a former banking executives about a $2.6 billion bailout. last week, the central bank looked into the losses of union bank, oceanic bank, and other banks. the shares have been suspended on t

baitullah mehsud had a $5 million down the on his head. it is claimed he died when two missiles were shot into my home on wednesday. taliban sources have told the bbc he is dead. there has been no confirmation

i drone that attack the relative of baitullah mehsud near the afghan border. the iraqi government has announced it will take down all the blast walls that separate the baghdad communities within four days. the wall sprung up at the height of sectarian violence. many say the walls made the city unrecognizable, but safer. after seven weeks of post- election protests and the people, mahmoud ahmadinejad has been sworn in for a second term as president. the u.s. it took a second step back. the white house spokesman robert gibbs said he misspoke when he described ahmenijad as an elected leader. >> after the turmoil of the last two months, at last a moment when mr. ahmenijad could restore his dignity, pledging to serve iran for another four years. >>but look closely, and you coud see in pcs. this was boycotted by some reformist members and opposition leaders. there were no messages of congratulations. that provoked a bitter riposte from mr. ahmenijad. >> nobody in iran is waiting for your congratulations. the iranian nation does not give significance to your friends

for pakistan to help us kill baitullah mehsud shows a leap forward has been made. the question is, will get informations continue. remember, the predator program has limited resources. if mehsud is dead, more resources can be put into the hunt for bin laden. shepard: you probably have not heard much about baitullah mehsud before this week. we know that the taliban leader, omar, appointed him five years ago. for some time, the state department had been offering a $5 million reward for his capture or assassination. we are also told that he was diabetic, being treated during the missile strike when he was killed. for more, you can listen to jonathan hunt. he was behind major attacks, wasn't he? >> yes. he was behind some of the biggest, most recent attacks in pakistan, including back in march. remember the attack on the police academy in law or? that was the worst, with 18 dead in the attack. going back further, december, 2007, the assassination of benazir bhutto. mehsud was believed to have been behind that. any way you slice this, it is a big catch indeed. shepard:

attackers go into afghanistan, according to the united nations, come from the tribal areas where baitullah mehsude interviewed a number of them. and overwhelmingly, they come from the tribal areas of pakistan where mehsud is based. we've seen the americans and the pakistanis cooperate very strongly, trying to kill baitullah mehsud or his network. president obama has authorized 28 drone strikes since he took office. that's more than president bush had done at this point last year. and about 13 of them, at least half of them have been directed at baitullah mehsud's network. even if he himself had not been killed, these drone strikes have put a great deal of pressure on his network and indeed his family. it is concerned that his wife and 5-year-old daughter is dead. >> it's a network where he said in an interview with al jazeera, the main aim is to finish britain, the u.s. and crush the pride of nonmuslims. there is plenty of hatred for the u.s., the uk and the west. what's the significance if in fact he was killed by a u.s. drone, peter? >> well, in many ways -- >> president obama has amped up this

>> reporter: baitullah mehsud was 35 years old, a former truck driver.known as charismatic, someone who could unify the taliban factions. it was a coalition of many smaller groups and he was able to unite them and create them into a fighting force of about 10,000 to 20,000 fighters. so the fighters are still there. we've been told by taliban sources, today, there are meetings underway to try and come up with a new leader. it is not clear if a new leader will have the same personality to hold all these small groups together. >> richard, thanks so much. aside from the good news of this strategic victory, anytime we can get richard on a broadcast, we're doing well. >> this is true. we'll take him. >>> up next, new details about the journalists who were being held in north korea. when were they captured? were they actually on north korean soil? >>> plus, a possible ufo sighting on a british newscast. it will make you say, with me david? no way. >> bravo. ple save money on car insurance. gecko: aw thank you, sir. boss: but i think there are a few other things

now it appears that baitullah mehsud is dead. officials say they think he was killed in a missile strike. here's martha raddatz. >> baitullah mehsud, whose back is to the camera, is enemy number one in pakistan, believed to be behind some of the most spectacular attacks in that country, including the assassination of benazir bhutto in december 2007 and horrific suicide bombings in lahore this year. u.s. officials consider him a grave threat as well. the nexus of all terror groups in pakistan. the u.s. and pakistan have been trying to track mehsud for months. nine of the last ten cia drone strikes have been aimed at his network. but u.s. and pakistani officials believe a strike in south waziristan very likely killed mehsud. there's a 95% chance he is among the dead. u.s. officials had visual and other indicators it was mehsud. pakistanis are trying to collect physical evidence to be certain. if it is confirmed, the obama administration has hit one of the most significant terrorist targets in years. for pakistan, the strike could h

drone missile attack on wednesday killed baitullah mehsud and his wife. let's go to richard engel. he's in kabul with the very latest. hat do you know, richard? >> alex, as you know, earlier i had talked about how several taliban commanders today were reversing their positions from yesterday, and saying that baitullah mehsud was still alive. however, we are hearing increasing evidence, and increasing anecdotal information that, in fact, he was killed. because two of his successors got into a gun fight and they were arguing over who should take command of the leadership. we were told by taliban sources that not long ago in south waziristan today, hakimullae mehsud and another potential successor, both part of the larger mehsud family clan got into an argument, each one saying that they should take the leadership from baitullah mehsud to head the taliban in pakistan. that their arguments became so bitter, guns were drawn, and that both of them were killed. now, that hasn't been 100% confirmed. but it would be an unexpected bonus for u.s. forces that are trying to dismantle this opera

baitullah mehsud is believed to be killed in a u.s.re's no official confirmation. >>> and sonia sotomayor will be sworn in as the supreme court's first hispanic justice tomorrow. she was confirmed by the senate yesterday. >>> federal health officials will put out guidelines this morning for ways to prevent and manage the h1n1 virus. more than 1 million americans have come down with it now. the timing is critical as the new school year begins in parts of the nation next week. dr. jon lapook has more. >> reporter: as kids get ready to return to school, schools are getting ready for the return of the new h1n1 virus. here in los angeles, that means gearing up to protect the district's 688,000 students. >> we believe the most important strategy we can have right now is preparedness. to prevent the spread of disease such as good hand washing, cough etiquette, meaning you cover your cough, staying home if you're sick, and just really healthy. >> reporter: guidelines are expected to emphasize keeping healthy kids in school. decisions about whe

in tonight's "lead focus" we look at the death of baitullah mehsud and what it means against the war against the taliban. it was reported that mehsud was at his father-in-law's house at the time of the attack suffering from a kidney ailment. although mehsud insisted his face not be shown he briefly -- >> caller: there was pretty good evidence in towards of the electronic intercepts and other kinds of data that suggested that he was dead and just today pakistan, one of mehsud's deputies called the associated press to say that he was indeed killed. but there's no body. there's no dna evidence. so iraqi officials would like to go to the area to confirm that he was killed. >> as head of the taliban in pakistan, mehsud is taught to have been behind some of the group's most high-profile attacks in recent years. the pakistani government named him as the prime suspect in the december 2007 assaof former pri minister bena zhirbhutto. he was also thought to be the mastermind. in march of this year in the pakistani city in lahor. that attack left several policemen dead. >> caller: he's a very cha

baitullah mehsud was apparently killed wednesday by an american missile.ore now from richard roth. >> reporter: he was pakistan's number one public enemy, and america had a $5 million bounty on him, dead or alive. baitullah mehsud was believed to be in his late 30s, diabetic, and camera shy. it's not the first time the commander of pakistan's taliban militia has been reported killed but it's the first time the claim has credibility from intelligence expourss from mehsud's own lieutenants, and authorities say hiszk% followers are already picking a successor. the west blames mehsud for the assassination of former prime minister benazir bhutto and for a wave of violence in pakistan, including the bombing of the marriott hotel there last september. the white house called him a murderous thug, and if he's been eliminated, said a pentagon spokesman, that's a good thing. richard roth, cbs news, london. >> pakistan's neighbor, afghanistan, has been shattered by 30 years of war. it's one growth industry is the production of opium, and cheap drugs are turning afghan

the taliban is now confirming that its chief, baitullah mehsud, was killed in an cia missile strike. learned that he was standing on the roof of his father-in-law's house when a drone hit. mehsud has led a violent campaign of suicide attacks and assassinations against pakistan's government. according to intelligence officials, his demise would be a major boost to pakistani and u.s. efforts to eradicate the taliban and al qaeda. >> now to a story made on capitol hill. >> with this historic vote, the senate has affirmed that judge sotomayor has the intellect, the temperame temperament, the history, the integrity and independence of mind to ably serve on our nation's highest court. >> the senate approving the nomination of sonia sotomayor late yesterday afternoon, and she'll continue to make history when she's sworn in tomorrow. sonia sotomayor's about to become the first hispanic to sit on the u.s. supreme court. the 57-year-old new york native was confirmed by a vote of 68-31. democrats applauded her smooth confirmation hearing. however, only 9 republicans voted in favor of sotomayor.

it could all be a game, a deliberate tactic to try and confuse people who are hunting baitullah mehsudpeople believe he has been killed. the taliban is also very concerned that there could be upstrikes by the u.s. fimilitar to catch them in a state of disaway. >> thanks so much for that update. >>> and today, president obama signed into law legislation revving back up the catch for clunkers program. last night, the senate approved a vote providing another $2 billion for the program. from today to next friday, i'll be taking part in "talk to the times." i've got a few for you right now. let's start with meredith -- >> you grew up in washington, d.c., so some people would probably consider you an insider. how do you maintain your objectivity when reporting on politics? >> all right. guilty as charged. i did grow up inside the beltway. the notion of liberal bias in the media is not a fantasy. it's a fact if we're talking about the orientation of people who go into journalism. however, it's also true conservatives whine about it too much and it's less than in the past. now let's go to alle

they believe that baitullah mehsud was killed in a u.s.is week, along with his wife, in south waziristan. the taliban also says that he was killed, but so far there's no physical evidence to confirm this news. mehsud led 13 separate taliban groups including some 20,000 fighters linked to al qaeda. and he is blamed for the 2007 assassination of former prime minister benazir bhutto. >>> this morning in northern iraq, a car bombing claimed the lives of at least 21 people and wounded more than 70 others as they were leaving a shiite mosque for friday prayers. police say that the gunman, who went on a deadly rampage in a pennsylvania gym this week called his mother first, telling her that he was about to kill people and was expected to die himself. three women were killed, nine others were wounded. on thursday, dozens of people gathered for a vigil and prayer service to remember the victims and to offer support for their families. >>> sonia sotomayor will be sworn in tomorrow as the newest justice of the u.s. supreme court. on thursday the sena

what i will say is this, if the reports of baitullah mehsud's death are correct, there is no doubt theon mehsud's head. rick sanchez coming up. what's going on? >> you know, this is something that's real special and it is something that i am very protective of. when a woman, a mother, loses her son in war and says to you, mr. sanchez, come to my house, i want to tell you my story, i want to sharon on this any's story with the rest of the country and you are invited to bring your cameras to arlington national cemetery to watch him be buried, you know, god bless her. she is special. we are going to honor her request. i think we have some video now that i can share with you. this is from arlington national cemetery. you will see it in its entirety today. that's anthony lightfoot. we usually don't show you these things. for the past nine years or so, we have been pretty much prevented from showing you these things. now, we are, because the parents say, we want you to. we are very respectfully showing you this. that's her, by the way. >> receiving the flag. >> she is a 22-year-old veteran.

capturing or killing baitullah mehsud has been a top priority of u.s. counterterrorism efforts. as one u.s. official has put it, the world would be a safer place without him. it's said mehsud was among those killed in an american missile attack wednesday on a remote village in a tribal area of northwest pakistan, and the claims backed by u.s. and pakistani intelligence officials though they say they have no physical evidence. but one of mehsud's lieutenants has told journalists it's true. the west blames mehsud for the 2007 assassination of former prime minister benazir bhutto and a wave of violence in pakistan. richard roth, cbs news, london. >>> economists believe the rate of job loss ins this country is slowing as the labor department is scheduled to release july unemployment numbers this morning. cbs news correspondent cynthia bowers is in chicago this morning with more. cynthia, good morning. >> reporter: good morning, jeff. those numbers are expected, though, to be a 26-year high as we edge ever closer to 10% unemployment. even though economists projected that, that is no c

. >> how confident are you, is your government, that baitullah mehsud is dead? >> 100% certainty can only be achieved after dna testing and a lot of physical evidence has been processed, but other than that, there are a lot of pointers that most people believe that baitullah mehsud is dead and his own group has announced that. >> our call perry reports from islamabad that taliban members gathered late this week for what seemed to be a major funeral. it's believed baitullah mehsud ork traited the assassination of ben na zir bhutto. >>> well, we do have some encouraging numbers from the latest jobs report. unemployment fell last month for the first time in more than a year. but in the president's words, quote, we have a lot further to go. elaine quijano joins us now from the white house. elaine, what is the president saying about it this morning? >> betty, the president is cautiously optimistic about these latest job numbers. they showed a drop in the unemployment rate from 9.5% to 9.4%. now that is the first time it's dropped since april of last year. nevertheles

the death of baitullah mehsud would have a significant impact for pakistan and war in afghanistan. >> he was sleeping on the roof of a house. actually staying with his father-in-law recovering. baitullah was known to have diabetes and kidney problems and actually had an i.v. in his system and was getting some medical treatment at around 1:00 at night when this drone attack took place. >> pakistani huge intelligence, intelligence on the ground that helped guide that missile in. told from u.s. officials with access from the latest intelligence they have the signature. they knew baitullah mehsud was in the house and seven of his bodyguards are reported dead. >> mehsud long considered the mastermind behind the killing of benazir bhutto. >>> disturbing glimpse into the man of george sodini. the man whose shooting spree left three women dead. >> reporter: sodini talked about what he wanted -- >> my objective was to be real and learn to be emotional and emotionally connect with people. >> reporter: he admitted on any given day he hid from his emotions. >> there you go. one more day. one more

reported yesterday, even some statements by other taliban commanders, were incorrect and that baitullah mehsud not killed bit americans, he was not in the area in southwest waziristan. they wouldn't provide details, any evidence to support their claim that he was not killed but just to say that the americans and spak stpakistani is issene . think is either true, was embarrassing to the americans who went forward by saying they believed he was dead but awaiting final confirmation or a taliban information campaign, it is something to confuse the americans who have already said they will keep pressuring, they will continue to go after the leadership of the taliban while they are in a position of transformation following baitullah mehsud's reported death. >> okay. richard engel, thank you very inch for that. once we get confirmation either way, we'll talk about the story. >>> now to the economy. the national retail federation says more consumers will scale back on their back-to-school spending this year by 8% or so. to help spur sales 15 states are tacking part in a tax-free holiday this weekend.

. >> there are reports that the cia may have killed the commder of the pakistan taliban, baitullah mehsud. >> he is a real bad guy and that would be good news. but the internal problems of pakistan, of feudal country that is just in terrible shape, focused on india when they ought to be focused on the jihadists -- >> where do you see it headed? >> i see the united states desperately keeping it from just imploding into civil war. >> very reassuring, evan.  >> yeas are 68, nays are 31. >> the world's greatest deliberative body gives its consent to the first hispanic to serve on the nation's highest court, and the third woman. 31 of the 40 republicans voted no, including orrin hatch. >> such activity, judging with uncertainty and instability in the law, and the result is an activist judicial philosophy that i cannot support, and that the american people rejected. >> if you voted for her, the national rifle association threatens to get your free if you voted against her, you could set yourself up for trouble with hispanic voters. >> john mccain was the biggest surprise to me. when lindsey

baitullah mehsud. martha raddatz was on the story last night. and joins us what was a major blow to extremist threatening pakistan. >> reporter: strong intelligence work on the part of the u.s. and pakistan did mehsud in. u.s. aircraft predator kept its secret air bases in pakistan ready to launch. the imagery from these aircrafts is beamed back to military bases in the u.s. at 1:00 this wednesday in pakistan, communications intercepts led officials to believe mehsud was staying with one of his wives. soon after, a predator aircraft september back an image. he and his wife on the roof. she was massaging his legs, apparently causing him pain from diabetes. that's when the missile was launched. today the taliban confirmed mehsud's death. >> a massive funeral has been held. virtually impossible for anyone outside of that village to gain access. >> reporter: today, the taliban was already meeting to choose mehsud's is successor. fighters he sent into afghanistan killed could wantless u.s. troops. in this interview mehsud, we said, we paid to god to

. >> two commanders of the taliban in pakistan had admitted baitullah mehsud is dead. this is the first time his death has been acknowledged by the militants. he was first reported killed by an american missile strike earlier this month. firefighters in greece believe they have conquered the wildfire that ravaged the outskirts of athens. this destroyed 21,000 hectares of farmland. there is criticism of the government response. chris brown is sentenced for speeding up the pop star rihanna, his former girlfriend. he was sentenced to five years of probation and four years of community labour. the bbc has learned that tests carried out on the gold medalist caster semenya who won the world championship in berlin had significantly elevated levels of testosterone. africans turned out in thousands to welcome her home, but the controversy about her gender remains and she has been told to take further tests. our correspondent watched the homecoming in johannesburg. >> there was an air of festivityn johannesburg's and main airport. thousands of well-wishers from miles around. add

. > two commanders of the taliban in pakistan had admied baitullah mehsud is dead. this is the first time hiseath has been acknowledged the militant was first reported killed by an american missile strike earlier this mon. firefhters in greece believ they have conqued the wildfire that ravaged the outskirts of athens. thi desoyed 21,000 hectares of farmland. there is criticism of the governme response. chs brown is sentenced fo speeding up e pop star rihanna, his former girliend. he was senncedo five years of probation andour years of commity labour. the bbc has learned that tests carried out onhe goldedalist cast semenya who won th world ampionship in berlinad significany elevated levels of testosterone. afcans turned out in thousands to welco her home, but the controversy about her gender rains and she has been told t take further tests. ourorrespondent watched the homecoming in johannburg. >> there was an r of festivit in johannesburg's and main airport. thousas of wl-wishers from miles arod. add alloping to catcha glimpse of the woman they call their golden girl

. >> reporter: if baitullah mehsud is actually dead, it would be a major boost for pakistan. mehsud is believed to masterminded a number of deadly attacks, including the 2008 assassination of former prime minister benazir bhutto. >> this is an important moment. i won't say it's a tipping point, but it certainly shows we're having some success. >> reporter: u.s. officials says it shows pakistan is making progress as well in its efforts to weed out some 20,000 taliban fighters currently positioned inside the country. no word yet on which side of the border bergdahl is being held. last month afghans in contact with the taliban said they had planned to smuggle him across the border into pakistan but ruled that out because of u.s. missile strikes and pakistani bombing attacks against militant targets in that area, karen. >> susan, i understand in afghanistan this morning u.s. troops are now trying to go after the money source that in part is funding the taliban. >> reporter: that's right. they say there's approximately 50 drug lords in the area that are really the root of all this

pakistani intelligence officials confirm the top taliban leader, baitullah mehsud, has been killed in a cia missile strike. >>> before heading out for their summer break, senators refueled the cash for clunkers program with another $2 billion. that's expected to fund rebates until around labor day. >>> and sonia sotomayor will be sworn in tomorrow as the nation's first hispanic supreme court justice. her historic confirmation follows weeks of contentious debate. >>> the firstolunteers to test the h1n1 swine flu vaccine in the u.s., will roll up their sleeves for the shot later today. >> with companies under pressure to roll out a vaccine, there's growing questions about safety. the government wants nearly 160 million americans to get the h1n1 swine flu vaccine this fall. tests have already begun in a handful of countries to make sure the vaccine is safe and effective. the world health organization continues to answer questions about the vaccine's safety. >> we should have early results during september. during the first half of september. >> reporter: researchers say there's no reason

forces have been on an intense hunt for baitullah mehsud, the leader of the talupon. unarmed drones, the weapon of choice, have been closing in on him for weeks and, today, u.s. and pakistani officials are saying they think mehsud has finally been killed by one of those strikes. martha raddatz is in washington tonight. good evening. >>> senior officials tell abc news president obama was detailed today on why the u.s. believes there are strong indication said butullea mehsud is dead. his back is to the camera in this rare video of him. he's enemy number one in pakistan, believed to be behind some of the most spectacular attacks in that country, including the assassination of benazir bhutto. u.s. officials consider him a grave threat as well. the nexus of all terror groups in pakistan. the u.s. and pakistan have been trying to track mehsud for months. nine of the last ten cia drone strikes have been aimed add his network, but u.s. and pakistani officials believe a strike in south waziristan yesterday likely killed him. omps saying there's a 95% chance he's among the dea

three days after the cia decapitated the group by killing its leader, baitullah mehsud, they now appear to have decapitated themselves. two possible successors, including this man, hakimullah, reportedly killed each other during a meeting to choose the new chief. without a leader, the taliban is more fragile than in years. >> there will be a clash within the different taliban groups. because of this clash, the whole movement will weaken. >> reporter: with a weakened militancy, the question now how to keep pressure up. months ago, pakistan promised a ground invasion in the but a senior military official here says that they are now "reassessing the whole situation." the u.s. has used cia drone strikes to target the taliban. those strikes have been much more effective in the last year thanks to new technology and increased u.s./pakistan intelligence sharing. and though pakistan still officially objects to the drone strikes, today, the country seems thankful. >> it's unfortunate if it happened because of a drone attack, but as i said, with this particular case, at the end of the day, the en

. >> there are reports that the cia may have kill the commande ofhe pakistan can be done, baitullah mehsud. he is a real bad guy, and that would bgood news. t internal problems of pakistan, a feudal cotry that is just in terrible shape, focusing on ina when ty ought toe focused on jihadists -- >> where do you e it headed? >> i see the united states desperately keeping it afloat fromust imploding into civil war. >> very reassuring, evan. thanyou. >> have a nice day. >> yeas are8, nays are 31. >>he world's greatest lov took body gives its consent to the rst hispanic to serve on the naon's -- greatest deliberative body ves its const to the fir hispac to ser on the nation's hiest court. >> judging with uncertainty and instability in t law, and t result is an activist judicial philosophythat i cannot supportnd at the american people reject. >> if you vote r her, at e national rie association threatens to get you. if you votegainst her, you uld set yourself ufor trouble with hispanic voters. >> johnmccain was the biggest rprise for me, when lindsey graham, the senat closest to m on the judiciary

. >> chris: is baitullah mehsud, this leader of the taliban inside pakistan dead. >> we thinks so the pakistani government believes he answer all evidence that we have suggests that, but, there are reports from the -- mehsud organization that he is not, but we think it looks like he is. >> chris: and let me ask you to clear up another matter. there were reports yesterday of a gun fight between two leading contenders to replace baitullah mehsud and one or both of them had been killed in a gun fight. but this morning, one of those two people allegedly dead reportedly called reuters use service to say he's alive and well and there was no fight. what do you know about that. >> we have third stories about that. we can't -- i can't confirm it, but, certainly, it appears to be that there is dissension in the ranks and that is not a bad thing for us and it goes to show that i think the strategy that we are engaged with, with pakistan, is actually having some effect and that is good. >> chris: i was going ask you, assuming that mehsud is dead, what does it say about the president's war on terr

baitullah mehsud was head of the umbrella group for the taliban here in pakistan. ion from one of k.t.p.'s commander and aide to baitullah that he has, in fact, been killed. over the last 24 hours there's been back and forth. there was intelligence that he was killed but there still is not physical evidence. this is the first that we've heard from the taliban that baitullah mehsud has been killed. prior to that we got intelligence from on ground that there was a funeral for baitullah and also that the taliban was convening a meeting to decide who is his successor. i spoke with pakistani military source earlier today. he told me that this is definitely a good move, but the fight against the taliban isn't over just because baitullah has been killed. gretchen? gretchen: all right, scott. big news today out of islamabad. thank you very much. peter: and yesterday we told about five procedures that could disappear under the president's health care proposal. today we have five more to discuss with you. gretchen: joining us now, fox news medical contributor dr. siegel. the

. -- baitullah mehsud. >> the country is in terrible shape, focused on the jihadists. >> where to use it is headed? >> the united states just desperately keeping it from imploding to civil war. >> very reassuring, evan, thank you. justice sotomayor. and so the world's greatest deliberative body gives its consent to the first hispanic ever to serve on the nation's highest court, and the third woman. 31 of the senate's republicans voted no, including orrin hatch. >> judging with uncertainty and instability in the law, the result is an activist judicial false philosophy -- activist george as a policy that i cannot support. -- judicial philosophy that i cannot support. >> if you voted for her, at the national rifle association is against you. if you don't -- if you vote against her, you have trouble with hispanic voters. >> john mccain was the biggest surprise for me. the key was the nine republicans who voted for justice sotomayor. four of them are retiring. i think that in itself is revealing. it remains a concern for republicans who still have a taping problem with women voters, which