Reuters World News Summary

"America’s leadership on the world stage and support for our allies is critical to keeping the American people safe here at home," said Biden in a statement. Finland's new president sees no limit to NATO ties, Ukraine support Alexander Stubb declared himself winner of Finland's presidential election on Sunday after a campaign built on promises to make the most of his country's new membership of NATO and back Ukraine in its war with shared neighbour Russia.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Venezuela accuses detained activist of links to conspiracy plot

Venezuela's Attorney General Tarek Saab said on Sunday that lawyer and human rights activist Rocio San Miguel has been arrested for her alleged involvement "in the conspiracy plot and attempted assassination" of President Nicolás Maduro. San Miguel, an expert in issues of security, defense and human rights, is president of the non-governmental organization Control Ciudadano, which advocates for citizen oversight of Venezuela's armed forces.

Centre-right's Stubb wins close-fought Finnish presidential election

Alexander Stubb of the centre-right National Coalition Party narrowly won Finland's presidential election on Sunday, defeating liberal Green Party member Pekka Haavisto, who conceded defeat. Stubb is pro-European and a strong supporter of Ukraine who has taken a tough stance towards Russia.

Desperate Palestinians in Gaza's Rafah fear coming Israeli assault

The Abu Mustafa family's tent is hard against the high concrete and metal fence separating Gaza from Egypt in Rafah, the last relatively safe place in an enclave devastated by Israel's military offensive, but one that may now also come under attack. The family is among more than a million Palestinians now crammed into the area around Rafah and fearing they have nowhere left to flee inside a tiny strip largely reduced to rubble and where fighting still rages.

Western officials criticize Trump's NATO comments

U.S. President Joe Biden and top western officials criticized former president Donald Trump on Sunday after he suggested the United States might not protect NATO allies who aren't spending enough on defence from a potential Russian invasion. "America's leadership on the world stage and support for our allies is critical to keeping the American people safe here at home," said Biden in a statement.

Finland's new president sees no limit to NATO ties, Ukraine support

Alexander Stubb declared himself winner of Finland's presidential election on Sunday after a campaign built on promises to make the most of his country's new membership of NATO and back Ukraine in its war with shared neighbour Russia. In his new job, the centre-right former prime minister and investment banker will head up foreign and security policy, represent Finland in NATO meetings and act as Commander-in-Chief of the military.

Brazil army colonel arrested in military coup probe on return from US

A Brazilian army colonel wanted by police in an investigation into am attempted coup by associates of Brazil's former far-right president was arrested on Sunday when he returned from the United States. Colonel Bernardo Correa Neto was arrested at Brasilia's airport when he arrived and put in detention at an army garrison after a custody hearing.

Pope canonises first female Argentine saint before meeting with Milei

Pope Francis on Sunday canonised the first female saint from his native Argentina, an event that brought his former fierce critic, Argentine President Javier Milei, to the Vatican.

Francis led a canonisation Mass in St. Peter's Basilica for Maria Antonia de Paz y Figueroa, better known as "Mama Antula", an 18th century consecrated lay woman who renounced her family's riches to focus on charity and Jesuit spiritual exercises.

Moldova police find Russian drone fragments near Ukraine border

Police on Sunday found fragments of a Russian drone alongside the Moldova border with Ukraine, prompting pro-European President Maia Sandu to renew her support for Kyiv in its nearly two-year-old war with Moscow. The war has buffeted Moldova, with periodic reports of weapon fragments found on the territory of the ex-Soviet state lying between Ukraine and Romania. Sandu, whose main policy goal is securing European Union membership, has singled out Russia and corruption as the two greatest threats to her country.

Pakistan's Khan-backed independents lead in final poll count

The final results of Pakistan's national election put independents, backed by jailed former Prime Minister Imran Khan, in the lead with 93 of 264 seats. The party of another former prime minister, Nawaz Sharif, was second with 75 seats after Thursday's vote, lacking a clear majority but it was the largest single party in parliament as Khan's independents ran as individuals.

Armenia's PM: 'We are not Russia's ally' in war against Ukraine

Armenian Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan said in an interview published on Sunday that his country was not Russia' ally in its war against Ukraine, but stressed its military cooperation projects were not directed against any single country. Pashinyan also said he hoped that Armenia's neighbour and longstanding rival, Azerbaijan, remained committed to the conclusion of a durable peace treaty despite statements by its president about demarcating borders.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)