Reuters World News Summary
Following is a summary of current world news briefs.
Exclusive-Ukraine man's torture case against Russians seeks justice in Argentina
A Ukrainian man who alleges he was tortured by Russian occupying forces has filed a legal complaint halfway around the world in Argentina, an unusual bid to seek accountability for alleged war crimes at a time when prosecutors in Kyiv are overwhelmed. In the filing, reported for the first time, the man accuses one named person, two identified by their call signs or military insignia, and others who are unnamed of using electrocution and unlawful imprisonment as forms of torture in mid to late 2022, the complaint seen by Reuters shows.
Spire collapses as fire engulfs Copenhagen's historic stock exchange
A fire ripped through Copenhagen's Old Stock Exchange, one of the Danish capital's best-known buildings, on Tuesday, engulfing its spire which collapsed in a scene reminiscent of the 2019 blaze at Paris' Notre-Dame. Emergency services, employees from the Danish Chamber of Commerce, including its CEO Brian Mikkelsen, and even passers-by were seen carrying large paintings away from the building in a race to save historic artifacts from the flames.
Trump to return to New York criminal court for jury selection
Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial enters a second day on Tuesday, as lawyers try to select 12 New York City jurors to consider the guilt or innocence of the first former U.S. president to face criminal charges. The first day on Monday underscored the challenges of the task.
Australia says Assyrian church stabbing was terrorist act
Australian police on Tuesday said a knife attack on an Assyrian church bishop and some followers in Sydney was a terrorist act motivated by suspected religious extremism, as the country reeled from a second stabbing incident in three days.
At least four people were wounded in the attack, including Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel of the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church, when a man lunged at him with a knife during a service live-streamed on Monday.
Kazakhstan, Russia grapple with floods along Siberian rivers
More than 2,000 houses were flooded in Kazakhstan's northernmost region as of Tuesday, authorities said, while across the border in Russia, Kurgan and Tyumen provinces were also evacuating thousands of people due to the deluge. Water levels in rivers in swathes of Russia's Ural and southwestern Siberian regions, as well as adjacent areas of Kazakhstan, were still rising rapidly, officials said.
Israeli war cabinet to meet for third time on response to Iran's attack
Israel's war cabinet was set to meet for the third time in three days on Tuesday, an official said, to decide on a response to Iran's first-ever direct attack, amid international pressure to avoid further escalating the conflicts in the Middle East. Military chief of staff Herzi Halevi had promised that Saturday night's launch of more than 300 missiles, cruise missiles and drones from Iran into Israeli territory "will be met with a response," but gave no details.
Stabbed Sydney bishop is a TikTok star beloved by his community
Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel who was stabbed during a church service live streamed from Sydney on Monday is a social media star with followers around the world, but the bearded clergyman is also a divisive preacher. Dressed in dark robes, clutching a large cross and sporting a bushy grey beard under a black cowl, Emmanuel's sermons from the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church range from homilies on the Bible to fiery criticisms of homosexuality, COVID vaccinations, Islam and U.S. President Joe Biden's election.
Xi tells Germany's Scholz co-operation not a risk amid EU trade tension
Chinese President Xi Jinping said German-Chinese co-operation was an opportunity not a risk, even as German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday urged better market access and a level playing field for German firms. Scholz's three-day visit to Germany's largest trade partner comes at a tricky time as the European Union is seeking to reduce strategic dependencies - dubbed "de-risking" - and probing whether Chinese manufacturers are dumping subsidized goods on its market.
Factbox-What options does Israel have to strike back at Iran?
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his immediate war cabinet are considering what action to take following Iran's attack on Saturday. Allies including the United States have urged Israel not to risk igniting a wider regional conflict, and President Joe Biden has made clear U.S. forces would not join any retaliatory attack on Iran.
Polish president Duda to meet Trump in New York, media reports
Polish President Andrzej Duda will meet Donald Trump during a visit to New York this week, Polish media cited sources as saying on Tuesday, as European leaders prepare for the possibility of Trump's return to the White House. Nationalist Duda, whose term in office expires in 2025, was one of Trump's preferred international partners during the Republican's presidency. The Polish president's top aide has said they remain in contact.
