SNG Daily: Stabbing Incident A Terrorist Act, Says Australian Police; Trump Trial Begins With Jury Selection

Your one-stop destination for all the top international stories of the day.

Stabbing Incident At Church A Terrorist Act: Australian Police

For the second time in 3 days, Australia has seen another stabbing incident. This one was reported from the Assyrian Christ The Good Shepherd Church where a suspect wounded at least 4 people in a knife attack. The injured include Bishop Mar Mari Emmanuel of the church who was attacked during a live-streaming service. After the attack, there were clashes between the police and church-goers in which at least 7 were injured and 20 police vehicles were damaged. Police arrested a male teenager who they believe acted alone and was motivated by suspected religious extremism. The injured Bishop and his online sermons are very popular online and garner a lot of views.

Trump Trial Begins In New York With Jury Selection

It’s the first time a former US President will face a criminal trial and Donald Trump trial in New York started with the process of jury selection. But by the looks of it that is going to take some time. Of the nearly 100 probables who were part of the jury selection process, 50 dropped out after they said they could not fairly decide whether Trump covered up a hush money payment to a porn star. The Manhattan DA has accused Trump of falsifying records to cover up a $1,30,000 payment made to porn star Stormy Daniels during his presidential campaign of 2016 in which he defeated Hilary Clinton. He reportedly paid hush money to Stormy Daniels about a 2006 sexual encounter she has said they had. Trump has denied the relationship and pleaded not guilty.

FBI Opens Criminal Probe In Baltimore Bridge Collapse

FBI has started a criminal investigation into the bridge collapse at Baltimore. A cargo vessel with an Indian crew on board crashed into the Francis Scott Key bridge after it had lost power and control of the vessel just as it was leaving Baltimore port on March 26. At least 6 people who were working on the bridge fell into the Patapsco river and died. FBI probe will look into whether the crew of Dali knew of any malfunction or problems with the ship’s systems before they left the port. The body of the 4th victim was recovered on April 15, three weeks after the tragedy. Work is still on to clear the shipping channel of debris so the Baltimore port can open once again.

Freed Gaza Detainees Allege Abuse By Israel

Many of the Gaza detainees released by Israel have alleged that they were abused during their time in detention. Israel released 150 Palestinians detained during its military operations in Gaza. Among those detained were two members of the Palestine Red Crescent Society. They had been detained for 50 days. A resident of Khan Younis who was in Israeli custody has alleged that he was not given timely medical attention because of which one of his legs had to be amputated. Sufian Abu Salah told Reuters, “I went into jail with two legs and I returned with one leg.” The 42-year-old said he was picked up from a school where his family was taking shelter. He alleged that he was beaten in custody. Israel’s military has denied these allegations. Some of the detainees claimed they were asked questions about Hamas and whether they had any connection with the terror group.

World Calls For Restraint, Israel Military Says It Will Respond To Iran Attack

Staying with news from Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu summoned his war cabinet for the second time in 24 hours as all eyes are on how Israel will choose to respond after Iran’s drone and missile attack on the night of April 13. World leaders have urged restraint. US Defence Secretary Austin Lloyd dialled his counterparts in west Asia and Europe stressing on regional stability to prevent conflict. The Israel-Iran tensions have heightened concerns that the Gaza war is spreading further in the region. Since the start of the war in Gaza, there have been clashes between Israel and Iran-aligned groups in Lebanon, Syria, Yemen and Iraq.