News Wrap: Israeli military recovers body of Oct. 7 hostage from Gaza

John Yang:

Good evening. I'm John Yang. Israel says a military operation in Gaza has recovered the body of a man taken hostage in the Hamas attack on October 7. Six months ago this weekend, militants had abducted 47 year old Elad Katzirfrom kibbutz Nir Oz. His mother, Hana, was also kidnapped. She was released in November during a truce. His father was killed in the attack. At least 36 hostages are confirmed to have died in captivity.

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains under public pressure to get a deal to free the remaining hostages. Negotiations are set to resume in coming days in Cairo. Hamas is demanding an immediate and permanent ceasefire.

In Ukraine, Russian drones and missiles have killed eight people and wounded 12 others in Kharkiv, the second largest city. Ukrainian officials said the strikes damaged residential buildings, businesses and a kindergarten. Russia has stepped up attacks on Kharkiv as Ukrainian air defenses are strained without U.S. aid.

Mexico has suspended diplomatic ties with Ecuador. It comes after Ecuadorian police force their way into the Mexican embassy in Quito Friday night to arrest Ecuador's former vice president, Jorge Glas. Glas has been living in the embassy since December, when he was convicted for corruption.

Earlier Friday, Mexico granted Glas political asylum. Mexican President Andre Manuel Lopez Obrador said the raid violated Mexico's sovereignty and international law.

And the death toll from the earthquake in Taiwan earlier this week has risen to 13. Six others are missing. Search and rescue efforts continue in Taroko National park, where hundreds were stranded when the 7.4 magnitude quake cut off roads. Aftershocks have halted the demolition of a ten story building in Hualien that's been at leaning at a precarious angle.

It was Taiwan's worst quake in a quarter century, but upgraded buildings have been credited for the relatively low number of deaths.

Still to come on PBS News Weekend, why every day, more than a billion meals are wasted around the world. And what's behind worsening global air quality and its potential health risks?