Reuters World News Summary

Following is a summary of current world news briefs. Israel's Mossad hosts Qatari counterparts on Gaza talks -official Israel's Mossad intelligence service is hosting its Qatari counterparts to confer on the recovery of hostages held by Hamas and other elements of a Gaza truce that was mediated by Doha, an Israeli security official said on Sunday.

Following is a summary of current world news briefs.

Israel's Mossad hosts Qatari counterparts on Gaza talks -official

Israel's Mossad intelligence service is hosting its Qatari counterparts to confer on the recovery of hostages held by Hamas and other elements of a Gaza truce that was mediated by Doha, an Israeli security official said on Sunday. Qatari intelligence officers arrived on Saturday for an indefinite stay in Israel, the official said, adding that cooperation between the agencies is "traditionally close", despite the lack of formal relations between the countries.

Irish writer Lynch wins Booker Prize with dystopian 'Prophet Song'

Irish writer Paul Lynch won the 2023 Booker Prize on Sunday for his novel 'Prophet Song', the story of a family and a country on the brink of catastrophe as an imaginary Irish government veers towards tyranny. The novel, Lynch's fifth, seeks to show the unrest in Western democracies and their indifference towards disasters such as the implosion of Syria.

Zelenskiy praises Ukrainians for battles with Russia and the weather

President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Sunday thanked Ukraine's military for fighting Russian attacks and its rescue services for tackling the consequences of extreme winter weather that he said had deprived about 400 settlements in 10 regions of power. In his nightly video address, Zelenskiy said relentless, intense battles were ongoing in the eastern regions of Donetsk and Kharkiv, while "extremely challenging weather" was affecting areas from Kyiv region in the north to Odesa in the south.

American girl, 4, freed as Hamas, Israel release prisoners

Hamas freed 17 hostages held in Gaza, including a four-year-old American girl, on Sunday while Israel was also seen releasing prisoners on the third day of their truce. The International Committee of the Red Cross said it had successfully transferred 17 hostages from Gaza. Hamas said it had handed over 13 Israelis, three Thais and one with Russian citizenship.

Aide to Argentina's Milei meets Brazil minister, softening tone

Argentine President-elect Javier Milei's top foreign policy adviser had a meeting with Brazil's foreign relations minister on Sunday, in another sign the radical libertarian might keep softening his tone with many he had harshly criticized before. Diana Mondino, widely expected to be named foreign minister by Milei, was in Brasilia to meet President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's Foreign Minister Mauro Vieira and invite the Brazilian leader to Milei's Dec. 10 inauguration.

Human Rights Watch says rocket misfire likely cause of deadly Gaza hospital blast

Human Rights Watch (HRW) said on Sunday that evidence suggested a misfired rocket was the likely cause of an explosion that resulted in heavy casualties at a hospital in Gaza on Oct. 17. The explosion at the Al-Ahli hospital triggered outrage across the Arab world. Palestinians blamed an Israeli air strike, while Israel said it was caused by a misfiring Palestinian rocket launch.

Pope says he has lung inflammation, aide reads Sunday message for him

Pope Francis, suffering from a "lung inflammation", appeared seated in the chapel of his residence instead of in St. Peter's Square while an aide read the pontiff's Sunday message. The 86-year-old pope, wearing his traditional white robes and with a bandage on his right hand, remained seated next to the aide during the reading.

New Zealand's new government sworn in, parliament expected to open next week

New Zealand's new right-of-centre government was sworn in on Monday, with parliament expected to sit next week and begin working on new policies including a new central bank mandate and lifting a ban on oil and gas exploration. New Zealand Governor General Cindy Kiro, who represents British monarch King Charles III as head of state, swore National Party leader Christopher Luxon in as New Zealand's 42nd prime minister along with ministers of his cabinet at Government House in Wellington.

Elon Musk to meet Israeli president, Gaza hostage families on Monday

Tech entrepreneur Elon Musk, accused by civil rights groups of amplifying anti-Jewish hatred on his X social media platform, will meet Israeli President Isaac Herzog on Monday along with Israelis whose relatives have been held by Hamas in Gaza. Herzog's office announced the meeting on Sunday night, saying, "In their meeting, the president will emphasize the need to act to combat rising antisemitism online."

Sierra Leone president says calm restored, most leaders of barracks attack detained

Sierra Leone President Julius Maada Bio said most of the leaders of an attack on a military barracks in the capital Freetown earlier on Sunday had been arrested, adding that security operations and an investigation were ongoing. "We will ensure that those responsible are held accountable," Bio said on national television.

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