Briefly

PAKISTAN

Five soldiers killed in attack claimed by TTP

At least five soldiers in Pakistan were killed by firing from neighboring Afghanistan, Islamabad said on Sunday, in an attack claimed by the Pakistani Taliban. The Pakistan military said Islamabad "strongly condemns the use of Afghan soil by terrorists", adding it was determined to defend its borders. The attack, claimed by the Tehreek-e-Taliban Pakistan, or TTP, took place in the Kurram district of rugged Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province on the Afghan border, officials said. The TTP has stepped up attacks since a monthlong truce with the government ended last year. The attack came just days after Baloch separatists in the southwest killed nine troops in a series of attacks that officials said involved planners from Afghanistan as well as India.

ISRAEL

Police used spyware on ex-PM's son, aides

Israeli police allegedly used spyware on the phones of former prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu's son and members of his inner circle, an Israeli newspaper reported on Monday. Calcalist has published a series of recent reports alleging that police used sophisticated spyware to target protesters and other Israeli citizens, prompting condemnation from across the political spectrum. The police commissioner has joined those calling for an independent investigation. Calcalist said police used the powerful Pegasus software developed by the Israeli firm NSO Group, which is mired in controversy after its spyware was linked to eavesdropping on journalists, activists and politicians in several countries.

Agencies via Xinhua