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"We hoped and prayed today would come," Liz Hirsh Naftali and Noa Naftali, Edan's great aunt and cousin, said in a statement, thanking Biden and the Qatari government for their work in getting Abigail released. Her siblings were already there, Noa Naftali said, and the family can provide "the love and support that they need after losing their parents." According to Noa Naftali, Abigail had been held captive in Gaza with neighbors also taken from the Kfar Aza kibbutz, where the toddler, her parents and her siblings lived. Biden said he expects Hamas to release other U.S. hostages as well, and that he wants the pause in the fighting to be extended as long as prisoners are being released. "We will not stop working until every hostage is returned to their loved ones," Biden said.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Joe Biden, Abigail Edan, Abigail, Israel, Biden, Liz Hirsh Naftali, Noa Naftali, Edan's, Carmel Edan, he's, Aza, —, Judith Tai Raanan, Natalie, Benjamin Netanyahu, Jeff Mason, Andy Sullivan, Moira Warburton, Jason Lange, Steve Gorman, David Goodman, Alexander Smith, Mark Porter, Josie Kao Organizations: Palestinian, Hamas, REUTERS, Rights, CBS, Qatari, Reuters, Sunday, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Ofakim, Israel, Rights NANTUCKET , Massachusetts, Israeli, Palestinian, United States, Nantucket, Washington, Buffalo , NY

☆ Biden Hopes for Extension as Israel-Hamas Truce Enters Final Day
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +5 min

Thirty-nine teenage Palestinian prisoners were released by Israel on Sunday, taking the total since the truce began to 117. Her grandfather, Carmel Edan, told Reuters he "simply could not believe" she had been returned, thanking Biden "for all the help he's offered us." The four-day truce agreed last week is the first halt in fighting in the seven weeks since Hamas killed 1,200 people and took about 240 hostages back into Gaza. Some 14,800 Palestinians have been killed, Gaza health authorities say, and hundreds of thousands displaced. Hamas released 24 hostages on Friday, the first day of the truce.

Persons: James Mackenzie JERUSALEM, Joe Biden, Biden, Abigail Edan, Abigail, Carmel Edan, he's, Benjamin Netanyahu, Netanyahu, Omar Abdullah Al Hajj, he'd, Israel, gaunt, children's agency's James Elder, Elder, Raphael Satter, Diane Craft, Raju Gopalakrishnan Organizations: Sunday, International Committee, Red Cross, Reuters, Palestinian, West Bank Locations: Israel, Gaza, U.S, Ramallah, Qatar, Egypt, United States, Palestinian, Gaza's, Qatari, Gaza City

☆ Australia PM Fires a Top Bureaucrat Over Influence Probe
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Alasdair PalSYDNEY (Reuters) - Australia's top civil servant in its interior ministry was sacked on Monday after an inquiry found he breached impartiality rules. Michael Pezzullo, the powerful head of the department responsible for internal security, stepped aside in September while the investigation was conducted. It was not immediately possible to reach Pezzullo for comment. The inquiry followed a joint investigation by two Australian newspapers and a TV programme that alleged Pezzullo had intervened in politics to promote favoured politicians, attack opponents and push for media censorship. (Reporting by Alasdair Pal in Sydney; Editing by Lincoln Feast)

Persons: Alasdair Pal SYDNEY, Michael Pezzullo, Anthony Albanese, Pezzullo, Alasdair Pal, Lincoln Organizations: Australian Public Service, Liberal Party Locations: Sydney

☆ New Zealand's new government sworn in, parliament expected to open next week
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Lucy Craymer | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Christopher Luxon, Leader of the National Party speaks to supporters at his election party after winning the general election to become New Zealand’s next prime minister in Auckland, New Zealand, October 14, 2023. REUTERS/David Rowland/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsWELLINGTON, Nov 27 (Reuters) - 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. The New Zealand Green Party on Monday launched a petition to keep the ban on oil and gas exploration. “We ask everyone to stand with us to tell this government that the oil and gas ban has to stay,” Green Party co-leader James Shaw said in a statement. The Green Party has said they will re-introduce a ban on new sources of fossil fuels when they return to government.

Persons: Christopher Luxon, David Rowland, Cindy Kiro, King Charles III, Luxon, TVNZ’s 1News, “ We’ve, we’ve, ”, James Shaw, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: National Party, New, REUTERS, Rights, National, Government House, Wellington ., ACT New Zealand, New Zealand, Zealand Green Party, Monday, ” Green Party, Green Party, Thomson Locations: Auckland , New Zealand, British, New, Wellington, New Zealand

☆ New Zealand's New Government Sworn In, Parliament Expected to Open Next Week
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-26 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +1 min

By Lucy CraymerWELLINGTON (Reuters) - 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. “We’ve got the team, we’ve got the ideas, we’ve got a clear policy program for the next three years,” he said. The New Zealand Green Party on Monday launched a petition to keep the ban on oil and gas exploration. “We ask everyone to stand with us to tell this government that the oil and gas ban has to stay,” Green Party co-leader James Shaw said in a statement. The Green Party has said they will re-introduce a ban on new sources of fossil fuels when they return to government.

Persons: Lucy Craymer WELLINGTON, Cindy Kiro, King Charles III, Christopher Luxon, Luxon, TVNZ’s 1News, “ We’ve, we’ve, ”, James Shaw, Lucy Craymer, Lincoln Organizations: Reuters, National, Government House, Wellington ., ACT New Zealand, New Zealand, Zealand Green Party, Monday, ” Green Party, Green Party Locations: British, New, Wellington, New Zealand

☆ Drilling snag delays rescue of 41 men stuck in Indian tunnel
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( Saurabh Sharma | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Hindu priests pray at a makeshift shrine outside the entrance of a tunnel where workers are trapped after the tunnel collapsed in Uttarkashi, in the northern state of Uttarakhand, India, November 23, 2023. The men, low-wage construction workers, have been confined in the 4.5-km (3-mile) tunnel in Uttarakhand state since it caved in early on Nov. 12. Attempts to pull them out by drilling through the debris of rock, stones and metal and pushing through an evacuation pipe have been slowed by snags. The collapsed tunnel is on the Char Dham pilgrimage route, one of the most ambitious projects of Prime Minister Narendra Modi's government. It aims to link four key Hindu pilgrimage sites with 890 km (550 miles) of two-lane road, at a cost of $1.5 billion.

Persons: Shankar Prasad Nautiyal, Rescuers, Deepak Patil, Narendra Modi's, YP Rajesh, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Authorities, snags, Reuters, National Highways Authority, YP, Thomson Locations: Uttarkashi, Uttarakhand, India

☆ Taiwan opposition rushes to register candidates after talks implode on live TV
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-24 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The talks were brokered by the billionaire founder of major Apple supplier Foxconn (2317.TW), Terry Gou, who is running as an independent candidate. In one of the most dramatic moments, the KMT's presidential candidate, Hou Yu-ih, read a private text message from TPP candidate Ko Wen-je in which Ko said Gou needed to "find a reason" to drop out of the presidential race. Hou and Ko will on Friday morning go to the election commission to register their separate presidential runs, ahead of a 0930GMT registration deadline. Gou, who has trailed far behind in the polls, has not said whether he will also register. By contrast, a united DPP has been charging ahead in its election campaign, registering its presidential and vice presidential candidates on Tuesday.

Persons: Terry Gou, Ma Ying, Hou Yu, Eric Chu, Ko Wen, Ko, Hou, Gou, Lai Ching, Lai, Ben Blanchard, Roger Tung, Lincoln, Gerry Doyle Organizations: Taiwan People's Party, ih, Kuomintang, KMT, Democratic Progressive Party, Apple, Thomson Locations: Taiwan, TAIPEI, China

☆ Euro profits from better euro zone data; U.S. market shut
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - The euro edged up on Thursday after data suggested the downturn in the euro zone economy may be starting to ease, although holidays in the U.S. and Japan kept trading activity muted. Earlier in the day, the euro rose against most other major currencies, following the surveys. The survey showed the euro zone economy is on track to contract again in the fourth quarter. Its PMI rose to 43.8 from 43.1, beating the poll expectation for 43.4 but was still below breakeven. The euro was up last up 0.18% on the day at $1.09075, having traded as high as $1.0931 earlier in the day.

Persons: Marcos Brindicci, There's, Michael Brown, Brown, Geert Wilders, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Changpeng Zhao, Bitcoin, Vidya Ranganathan, Lincoln, Emelia, Marguerita Choy, Christina Fincher Organizations: REUTERS, PMI, Saxo Bank, British, Federal, University of Michigan, Fed, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, U.S, Japan, Germany, EU, Wednesday's, Netherlands, Singapore

☆ Euro bounces as investors cling to sliver of positive euro zone data
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Amanda Cooper | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

REUTERS/Marcos Brindicci/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsLONDON, Nov 23 (Reuters) - The euro rose on Thursday for the first time this week, after data suggested the downturn in the euro zone economy may be starting to ease, although holidays in the United States and Japan kept trading activity muted. The euro rose broadly, gaining the most against the Swedish crown , after the Swedish central bank left rates unchanged, while also gaining on the yen and the Swiss franc. The survey showed the euro zone economy is on track to contract again in the fourth quarter. Its PMI rose to 43.8 from 43.1, beating the poll expectation for 43.4 but was still below breakeven. Sterling was last up 0.5% on the day at $1.2558, having risen to a high of $1.2575 after the PMI data.

Persons: Marcos Brindicci, There's, Michael Brown, Brown, Geert Wilders, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Jeff Ng, Changpeng Zhao, Vidya Ranganathan, Lincoln, Emelia Organizations: REUTERS, Swiss, PMI, European Central Bank, Fed, University of Michigan, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Markets, Bank of Japan, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, United States, Japan, Germany, Swedish, EU, Wednesday's, Netherlands, Asia, Singapore

☆ Holiday thins trading after data slows dollar's decline
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Vidya Ranganathan | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

With markets shut in Japan and the United States for the Thanksgiving holiday, currencies barely moved and cash U.S. Treasuries weren't traded in Asia. By 0530 GMT, however, the euro was 0.15% higher at $1.0902 and the dollar index was a tad weaker at 103.71. Adding to investors' confusion, data showed orders for long-lasting U.S. manufactured goods fell more than expected in October, signalling an economy cooling considerably after hot third-quarter growth. The dollar's rebound comes after a three-week long spell of weakness driven by evidence of a slowing economy and disinflation, leading markets to price out any additional Fed rate hikes. The forward-looking flash November purchasing manager indexes (PMIs) are also due out globally on Thursday and should help investors assess recession risks and how quickly rate cuts will begin.

Persons: Marcos Brindicci, Treasuries weren't, Jeff Ng, Treasuries, policymaker Mario Centeno, Joachim Nagel, Sterling, Jeremy Hunt, Changpeng Zhao, Vidya Ranganathan, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, U.S, Federal, University of Michigan, Sumitomo Mitsui Banking Corporation, Fed, Bank of Japan, European Central Bank, Governing, PMI, Thomson Locations: Buenos Aires, Argentina, Rights SINGAPORE, Japan, United States, Asia, Britain, U.S

Under the new terms offered by Brookfield, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. Brookfield's consortium partner EIG Partners would take on Origin's integrated gas business which includes the 27.5% stake in Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG). If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion. When asked during a press conference if he had reservations about the revised deal, Chairman Scott Perkins said: "absolutely". DONE TALKINGFollowing the announcement of the revised offer, EIG CEO Blair Thomas told Reuters that he was done talking to AustralianSuper.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, Australia's, EIG, Scott Perkins, Blair Thomas, Allan Gray, Simon Mawhinney, Mawhinney, Chris Bowen, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Praveen Menon, Lincoln, Sonali Paul, Jamie Freed Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, SYDNEY, Brookfield ., EIG Partners, Australia Pacific LNG, Reuters, Brookfield consortium's, Energy, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Sydney, Australia

Origin said based on the early votes received the original offer would not have won support. Under the new terms, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion ($8 billion). Origin shareholders would receive a total of A$9.08 per share, with an additional A$0.22 if EIG got up to 90.1% control of Origin. Institutional investors who have already voted on the A$9.43 offer can choose to change or keep their vote, or opt to invest in the energy markets business.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, EIG, Chris Bowen, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Miral Fahmy, Lincoln, Sonali Paul Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Companies Brookfield, Origin Energy, Brookfield ., EIG Partners, Australia Pacific LNG, Brookfield consortium's, Energy, Thomson Locations: SYDNEY, Brookfield, Sydney, Australian, Australia

☆ Romania Is Not Ready to Uphold Same-Sex Couples' Rights - PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +2 min

BUCHAREST (Reuters) - Romanian society is not ready to uphold the rights of same-sex couples in line with a European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling, leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said late on Thursday. The ECHR ruled in May Romania had failed to enforce the rights of same-sex couples by refusing to recognise their relationships, in a ruling which could eventually force policymakers to expand protections for the LGBT community. Asked whether Romania will enforce the ruling, Ciolacu told radio station Europa FM that "the Romanian society is not ready for a decision at the moment. Socially conservative Romania decriminalised homosexuality in 2001, decades later than other parts of the European Union, but still bars marriage and civil partnerships for same-sex couples. A referendum to change Romania's constitution to prevent same-sex couples from securing the right to marry failed to draw enough voters in 2018.

Persons: Marcel Ciolacu, Ciolacu, Luiza Ilie, Lincoln Organizations: of Human Rights, European Union Locations: BUCHAREST, Romania, Romanian

New Zealand's Foreign Minister Winston Peters arrives at a news conference after he attended an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Istanbul, Turkey, March 22, 2019. The role of deputy prime minister, a key sticking point in the discussions, will be split between the populist NZ First party leader Winston Peters and ACT party leader David Seymour, the group announced in a statement. National Party deputy leader Nicola Willis will be finance minister and Peters will be foreign minister, the parties said. The coalition plans to repeal a ban on offshore oil and gas exploration and a ban on the sale of cigarettes to future generations introduced by the previous Labour government, according to coalition documents. "Foreign affairs does matter to this country.... all relationships do matter to this country," Peters said in a joint news conference in the capital Wellington after the announcement.

Persons: Winston Peters, Murad Sezer, David Seymour, Nicola Willis, Peters, Christopher Luxon, Luxon, ” Luxon, Jacinda, Helen Clark, Lucy Craymer, Praveen Menon, Diane Craft Organizations: Zealand's, of Islamic Cooperation, REUTERS, ACT NZ, National Party, NZ First, ACT, Party, Reserve, New Zealand, Bank of New, Labour, “, New Zealanders, Police, Thomson Locations: Istanbul, Turkey, WELLINGTON, Bank of New Zealand, Wellington, Niue

☆ Romania is not ready to uphold same-sex couples' rights - PM
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-23 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

BUCHAREST, Nov 24 (Reuters) - Romanian society is not ready to uphold the rights of same-sex couples in line with a European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) ruling, leftist Prime Minister Marcel Ciolacu said late on Thursday. The ECHR ruled in May Romania had failed to enforce the rights of same-sex couples by refusing to recognise their relationships, in a ruling which could eventually force policymakers to expand protections for the LGBT community. Asked whether Romania will enforce the ruling, Ciolacu told radio station Europa FM that "the Romanian society is not ready for a decision at the moment. Socially conservative Romania decriminalised homosexuality in 2001, decades later than other parts of the European Union, but still bars marriage and civil partnerships for same-sex couples. A referendum to change Romania's constitution to prevent same-sex couples from securing the right to marry failed to draw enough voters in 2018.

Persons: Marcel Ciolacu, Ciolacu, Luiza Ilie, Lincoln Organizations: of Human Rights, European Union, Thomson Locations: BUCHAREST, Romania, Romanian

Trading in Origin Energy shares was paused on Thursday. Brookfield Corp (BN.TO), which has teamed up with EIG Partner's MidOcean Energy, and Origin Energy did not respond to requests for comment. Origin shares closed on Wednesday at A$8.42, up 1.69%, but well below the offer price of A$9.43 per share. If everyone thought it was going ahead the share price would be higher," he told Reuters. Origin shares remain 2.1% lower than last week's close and have traded well below the offer price since the new bid.

Persons: Dado Ruvic, EIG, Jamie Hannah, I'm, Scott Murdoch, Lewis Jackson, Miral Fahmy Organizations: Brookfield, REUTERS, Rights, Origin Energy, Brookfield Corp, Energy, Investors, Newmont Corp, Newcrest Mining, VanEck, Reuters, Origin, Thomson Locations: Brookfield, Lincoln

The A$300 billion ($195.24 billion) pension fund was against the original offer, which it also said substantially undervalued the company's ability to profit from Australia's shift to renewable energy. Under the new terms offered by Brookfield, the A$9.43 per share bid remains but some investors can stay invested in the energy markets business that would be owned by Brookfield. Brookfield's consortium partner EIG Partners would take on Origin's integrated gas business which includes the 27.5% stake in Australia Pacific LNG (APLNG). If that bid fails to achieve 75% shareholder support, an alternative proposal has been lodged that would see Origin sell the energy markets business to Brookfield for A$12.3 billion. DONE TALKINGFollowing the announcement of the revised offer, EIG CEO Blair Thomas told Reuters that he was done talking to AustralianSuper.

☆ Mexico captures 'El Nini,' Sinaloa Cartel's alleged security boss
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

MEXICO CITY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - The Mexican National Guard on Wednesday captured Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, or "El Nini," who is accused of heading security for the faction of the Sinaloa Cartel headed by the sons of founder Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman. Seen by U.S. anti-narcotics agents as one of the most ruthless Mexican drug figures, Perez Salas was detained in Culiacan, the Sinaloa Cartel's heartlands, and was taken to Mexico City, according to government detention records. "We're working side-by-side to combat arms trafficking, to tackle organized crime and to address the opioid epidemic, including fentanyl," Biden said. The U.S. and Mexico also agreed with China last week to stem the flow of fentanyl precursor chemicals from the Asian country. In January, Mexican authorities captured Ovidio Guzman in Sinaloa and extradited him to the United States in September.

Persons: Nestor Isidro Perez Salas, Joaquin, El, Guzman, Perez Salas, Ivan Archivaldo Guzman, Joe Biden, Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador, Biden, Ovidio Guzman, Ivan, Manuel Carrillo, Kylie Madry, Sarah Morland, Brendan O'Boyle Organizations: MEXICO CITY, Mexican National Guard, heartlands, U.S . State Department, The State Department, U.S . Drug, Administration, Thomson Locations: MEXICO, Sinaloa, Culiacan, Mexico City, U.S, Mexico, China, United States, Lincoln

☆ The secret negotiations that led to the Gaza hostages deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Steve Holland | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +8 min

Pictures of hostages held in Gaza, who were seized from southern Israel on October 7 by Hamas gunmen during a deadly attack, are displayed in Tel Aviv, Israel, November 15, 2023. Demands were made that Hamas produce the lists of hostages it was holding, their identifying information, and guarantees of release. Biden held a previously undisclosed phone call with the Qatari prime minister when the phasing of releases began to take shape, the official said. Shortly after Biden's call, Hamas produced details for the 50 hostages it said would be released in the first phase of any deal. Biden in a Nov. 14 call urged Netanyahu to take the deal - Netanyahu agreed.

Persons: Ammar Awad, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Bill Burns, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Brett McGurk, Sullivan, McGurk, Josh Geltzer, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim, Biden, Netanyahu, Judith Raanan, Burns, David Barnea, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ”, Abbas Kamil, Word, Steve Holland, Don Durfee Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, White, U.S, Israeli, CIA, U.S . Middle East, National Security Council, Hamas, Qatari, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Israel, Tel Aviv, Qatar, Egypt, United States, U.S, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Sullivan’s, Doha, Cairo, San Francisco, Asia, Lincoln

☆ Fiji PM: China likely to collaborate on key port, shipyard project
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( Kirsty Needham | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

REUTERS/Lincoln Feast/File Photo Acquire Licensing RightsSYDNEY, Nov 22 (Reuters) - Fiji Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka told parliament on Wednesday the Pacific Islands nation was likely to collaborate with China on a key port modernisation and shipyard project, after discussing it in a meeting with Chinese president Xi Jinping. Fiji previously sought Australia's involvement to build a modern ship-building facility at Lautoka, officials and a consultant to Rabuka on the project told Reuters. Rabuka told Fiji's parliament on Wednesday his government was focused on upgrading infrastructure, "particularly the modernisation of port facilities and shipyards". An Australian-based ship design company said Rabuka had earlier sought the involvement of Australia, Fiji's largest aid donor, in the shipyard project. China has been pushing for greater security and trade ties with Pacific Islands countries.

Persons: Sitiveni Rabuka, Xi Jinping, Rabuka, Xi, Stuart Ballantyne, Ballantyne, Vajira Piyasena, Kirsty Needham, Lincoln, Edwina Gibbs Organizations: REUTERS, Lincoln, Rights, Fiji Prime, Wednesday, Reuters, APEC, Wednesday Fiji, Fiji Ports, Fiji Ships, Heavy Industry, Pacific, Thomson Locations: Fiji, Suva, China, Lautoka, Australia, San Francisco, Australian, tradespeople, Pacific, Solomon Islands, United States, Papua New Guinea

☆ Three Americans expected to be included in Gaza hostage release-US official
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-22 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

Israeli bombardments since have flattened large swaths of Hamas-led Gaza and killed 13,300 civilians, according to authorities in Gaza. Under terms of the deal, Hamas is to release 50 hostages and Israel will release 150 Palestinian prisoners during a four- to five-day pause in the fighting. The hostage group will include two American women and an American girl named Abigail who will turn four on Friday, the official said. The deal will also include more deliveries of humanitarian relief aid to Gaza, the official said. A rigorous inspection regime will ensure Hamas does not use the pause to rearm the group's fighters in Gaza with weaponry, the official said.

Persons: Amir Cohen, Abigail, Steve Holland, Costas Pitas, Humeyra Pamuk, Arshad Mohammed, Scott Malone, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, Palestinian, Hamas, Thomson Locations: Gaza, Tel Aviv, Israel, U.S, Qatar, American

☆ Stocks in Asia hit 2-month high, dollar defensive on Fed view
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Ankur Banerjee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +5 min

A passerby walks past an electric monitor displaying various countries' stock price index outside a bank in Tokyo, Japan, March 22, 2023. MSCI's broadest index of Asia-Pacific shares outside Japan (.MIAPJ0000PUS) was 0.97% higher at 510.11 having touched 511.05, the highest since Sept. 18. In rest of Asia, Japan's Nikkei (.N225) edged higher and remained close to the 33-year high it toucehd on Monday. The Japanese yen strengthened 0.22% to 148.03 per dollar, lifting away from the one-year low of 151.92 it touched last week. The Australian dollar , often seen as a barometer of risk appetite, touched a three-month high of $0.65775 earlier in the session.

Persons: Issei Kato, DAX, Wall, Sam Altman, Ben Bennett, Nicholas Chia, murmurs, Hong, HSI, Brent, Ankur Banerjee, Jacqueline Wong, Lincoln Organizations: REUTERS, Rights, . Federal, Nvidia, Microsoft, Stock, Traders, Legal, General Investment Management, Standard Chartered, Japan's Nikkei, Thomson Locations: Tokyo, Japan, Rights SINGAPORE, Asia, Pacific, Europe, Thursday's U.S

☆ The Secret Negotiations That Led to the Gaza Hostages Deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Nov. | At P.M. | ) www.usnews.com time to read: +8 min

Five days later, on Oct. 23, the White House team's work helped yield the release of two American hostages, Natalie and Judith Raanan. Demands were made that Hamas produce the lists of hostages it was holding, their identifying information, and guarantees of release. Biden held a previously undisclosed phone call with the Qatari prime minister when the phasing of releases began to take shape, the official said. Shortly after Biden's call, Hamas produced details for the 50 hostages it said would be released in the first phase of any deal. Biden in a Nov. 14 call urged Netanyahu to take the deal - Netanyahu agreed.

Persons: Steve Holland WASHINGTON, Joe Biden, Benjamin Netanyahu, Antony Blinken, Bill Burns, Jake Sullivan, Jon, Brett McGurk, Sullivan, McGurk, Josh Geltzer, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim, Biden, Netanyahu, Judith Raanan, Burns, David Barnea, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, ”, Abbas Kamil, Word, Steve Holland, Don Durfee Organizations: White, U.S, Israeli, CIA, U.S . Middle East, National Security Council, Hamas, Qatari Locations: Israel, Qatar, Egypt, United States, U.S, Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, Tel Aviv, Sullivan’s, Gaza, Doha, Cairo, San Francisco, Asia

☆ Israel-Hamas war: Four-day truce agreed, 50 hostages to go free
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +7 min

Hamas and allied groups captured around 240 hostages when Islamist gunmen rampaged through southern Israeli towns on Oct. 7. Beyond that, the truce could be extended day by day as long as an additional 10 hostages were freed per day. Hamas said the initial 50 hostages would be released in exchange for 150 Palestinian women and children imprisoned in Israel. The truce deal is a first small step towards peace in the most violent ruction of the 75-year-old Palestinian-Israeli conflict. To destroy Hamas, return all our hostages and ensure that no entity in Gaza can threaten Israel," Netanyahu said in a recorded message.

Persons: Guterres, Israel, Benjamin Netanyahu's, Foreign Ministry Mohammed Al, Alexander Ermochenko, Mona, Joe Biden, Prince Faisal bin Farhan Al Saud, Antonio Guterres, Netanyahu, James Mackenzie, Dan Williams, Emily Rose, Henriette Chacar, Andrew Mills, Steve Holland, Jonathan Landay, Ahmed Mohamed Hassan, Lincoln, Raju Gopalakrishnan, Peter Graff, Mark Heinrich, Cynthia Osterman, Stephen Coates, Simon Cameron, Moore, Nick Macfie Organizations: Hamas, Israeli, State, Foreign Ministry, Reuters, REUTERS, Palestinian Authority, West Bank, Israel’s Defence Ministry, Saudi Foreign, Thomson Locations: GAZA, JERUSALEM, Israel, Gaza, Qatar, Israel ., Jabalia, U.S, Jerusalem, Doha, Washington, Cairo

☆ Taiwan election about choosing whether to embrace China, frontrunner says
▼ + stars: | 2023-11-21 | by ( Ben Blanchard | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

[1/3] Taiwan's Vice President Lai Ching-te and running mate Hsiao Bi-Khim pose for a photo after registering for the upcoming presidential election at the Central Election Commission in Taipei, Taiwan November 21, 2023. Lai Ching-te, vice president and the ruling Democratic Progressive Party's (DPP) presidential candidate, has led in most opinion polls ahead of the election. Speaking to reporters and supporters after formally registering his candidacy with the election commission, Lai said Taiwan's security was an international issue and the whole world was watching this election. "The people of Taiwan have to choose between trusting Taiwan, allowing Taiwan to continue to move forward on the road of democracy, and relying on China, following the old path of the one-China principle, and walking into the embrace of China," he said. Like Lai, Hsiao is despised by China, which has twice placed sanctions on her, most recently in April, saying she was an "independence diehard".

Persons: Lai Ching, Hsiao Bi, Ann WAng, Democratic Progressive Party's, Lai, Hsiao, colluding, Ben Blanchard, Lincoln Organizations: Central, Commission, REUTERS, Rights, Democratic Progressive, Kuomintang, KMT, Taiwan People's Party, Taipei, Thomson Locations: Taipei, Taiwan, Rights TAIPEI, China, Beijing, United States

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