Militants ambush police vehicle in NW Pakistan
PESHAWAR, March 28: Suspected militants ambushed a police vehicle in Bannu district, northwest Pakistan, on Saturday, killing Assistant Sub-Inspector Dil Nawaz and injuring two constables. The attackers opened fire near Mir Sher Khan Chowk, set the vehicle ablaze, and fled. Police quick response units arrived at the scene, and the injured were taken to a nearby hospital. Security forces have cordoned off the area and launched a search operation for the assailants. No group has claimed responsibility. Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Chief Minister Sohail Afridi condemned the attack, describing it as tragic, and directed the Inspector General of Police to submit a detailed report. Afridi expressed solidarity with the officer’s family, urged authorities to provide the best medical care to the injured, and reaffirmed the government’s commitment to combating militancy. He emphasized that such acts of terrorism would not weaken their resolve. (PTI)
Elon Musk joined Trump, Modi phone call: Report
WASHINGTON, March 28: Billionaire Elon Musk joined a phone call between US President Donald Trump and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Tuesday, marking an unusual presence of a private citizen in a discussion between two world leaders during the Iran war crisis, according to the New York Times. The call, the first interaction between Trump and Modi since the US and Israel launched military strikes on Iran on February 28, focused on the ongoing conflict. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the conversation as “productive” and highlighted the strong relationship between Trump and Modi. Musk’s inclusion, confirmed by two US officials, indicates improved relations with Trump following their falling out last year over Musk’s departure from a government role aimed at workforce reductions. It remains unclear why Musk was on the call or whether he contributed to the discussion. (AP)
Israeli airstrike in Lebanon kills three journalists
BEIRUT, March 28: An Israeli airstrike in southern Lebanon on Saturday killed three journalists covering the Israel-Hezbollah war, including Al-Manar correspondent Ali Shoeib and Al-Mayadeen reporter Fatima Ftouni with her brother Mohammed. Shoeib, a veteran war reporter for nearly 30 years, was accused by Israel of being a Hezbollah intelligence operative, though no evidence was provided. Ftouni and her brother were killed in Jezzine shortly after a live broadcast. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun condemned the attack as a “flagrant crime” violating protections for journalists. The strike follows previous Israeli attacks on Hezbollah media outlets, including Al-Manar and Al-Nour radio, and the killing of Al-Manar’s political program head Mohammed Sherri earlier this month. These deaths bring the total journalists killed in Lebanon this year to five, including freelance photojournalist Hussain Hamood, highlighting the increasing dangers for media workers amid the ongoing conflict. (AP)
