GAZA (Reuters) -A Gaza company that operates water desalination plants serving nearly half of the enclave's population said on Tuesday it had resumed operations after Hamas-led security freed a staff member whom they detained on Monday.

A statement issued by the Abdul Salam Yassin Company, whose services reach more than 1 million people, said the decision to resume operations came after the issue was resolved, adding that the staff member was "fine and in good health".

PARIS (Reuters) -The United Arab Emirates has agreed to seize around 40 Dubai apartments and luxury villas suspected of being linked to drug trafficking in France, French Justice Minister Gerald Darmanin said on Wednesday.

Darmanin said in a post on X that the seizure of the properties, which had been bought by suspects using cash or cryptocurrencies, was part of broader judicial cooperation on international drug traffic between France and the UAE.

KABUL/NEW DELHI (Reuters) -Afghanistan's Taliban trade minister arrived in India on Wednesday on a maiden visit to draw greater investments and goods as both countries consider ways to enhance their relations in the backdrop of souring relations with neighbouring Pakistan.

India last month upgraded its ties with the Taliban by reopening its embassy in Kabul that was shut after the Islamist group seized power in 2021 following the withdrawal of U.S.-led NATO forces. New Delhi is also ramping up its aid to the country as it competes with China for influence.

By Huseyin Hayatsever and Anastasiia Malenko

ANKARA/KYIV (Reuters) -Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy will hold talks in Turkey on Wednesday and meet U.S. Army officials in Kyiv on Thursday in a new drive to revive peace negotiations with Russia.

No face-to-face talks have taken place between Kyiv and Moscow since a meeting in Istanbul in July and Russian forces have pressed on with Moscow's nearly four-year-old war in Ukraine, killing 19 people in strikes overnight.

By Patricia Zengerle and Simon Lewis

WASHINGTON -U.S. lawmakers are set to meet with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the U.S. Capitol on Wednesday on the second day of his visit to the United States, aimed at touting stronger-than-ever economic and security ties with Washington while brushing off scrutiny over his human rights record.

(Fixes typo in first paragraph)

BEIRUT (Reuters) -An Israeli strike on the southern Lebanese city of Sidon killed 13people and wounded several others, the Lebanese Health Ministry said on Tuesday.

The Israeli military said that it struck militants whoit said were operating in a training compound in the crowded Ain al-Hilweh Palestinian refugee camp near Sidon.

The military said the compound has been used by the Palestinian movement Hamas to carry out attacks against Israel.

By Farah Master

HONG KONG (Reuters) -The Turkish-operated cargo plane that skidded off the runway at Hong Kong's international airport last month, killing two airport workers, experienced an acceleration in one of its four engines after landing, an initial investigation has found.

A preliminary report from Hong Kong's Air Accident Investigation Authority (AAIA) released late on Tuesday said the flight from Dubai, operated by ACT Airlines on behalf of Emirates, was normal until shortly after landing.

(Reuters) -Elon Musk joined a dinner with U.S President Donald Trump and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman at the White House on Tuesday, the second joint public appearance since a bitter public feud earlier this year.

Musk's attendance could be a sign of reconciliation in a turbulent relationship between the Tesla CEO and the U.S. president.

Musk supported and funded Trump's election last year and became a close adviser to his administration early this year, leading the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) and overseeing cuts to federal funding and jobs.

Draft beer, peanuts and big-screen sports... the scene is reminiscent of pubs worldwide, but in Saudi Arabia's capital, customers in white robes or black veils sip alcohol-free pints with no expectation of a hangover.

"The idea is to offer customers an original experience they can share on social media," Abdallah Islam, manager of the A12 cafe in Riyadh, told AFP.

At the cafe, Saudi women lift their black face veils to sip ice-cold beer.

"Is there alcohol in this?" one customer asked, nervously eyeing his pint.

SYDNEY/BELEM (Reuters) -Australia will not oppose a successful Turkish bid to host next year's COP31 climate summit, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese said, warning a prolonged standoff over hosting rights could undermine unity required to help the Pacific island nations.

Australia and Turkey submitted bids in 2022 to host COP31 and neither has withdrawn. Albanese earlier this week ruled out a joint hosting arrangement, saying UN rules do not permit co-hosts for the annual summit.