Gaza truce enters first phase. Israeli troops partially withdrew from their positions in Gaza today as a ceasefire took effect in the territory. The troop pullback triggered a seventy-two-hour deadline for Hamas to release its remaining hostages as part of a ceasefire deal, while Israel also published the names of the Palestinian prisoners it plans to release as part of the swap. Meanwhile, thousands of Gazans displaced to the territory’s south during the war began walking back north.
U.S.-Finland icebreaker deal. The countries struck an agreement to provide the United States with up to eleven new icebreaker ships, U.S. President Donald Trump and Finnish President Alexander Stubb announced yesterday as Stubb visited the White House. The United States will purchase four icebreakers built in Finland, and leverage “Finnish expertise” to build up to seven others domestically. The ships are expected to be used in the Arctic as great power competition heats up.
Peru’s president impeached. Peru’s congress ousted President Dina Boluarte in a late-night session in which lawmakers accused her of failing to contain a crime wave. Though Boluarte had an approval rating under 5 percent, she had been supported by the legislature, which shut down a previous corruption probe against her. That support collapsed yesterday after a shooting in the capital, Lima. José Jerí, the president of congress, was sworn in as the interim president and is due to serve until elections in April 2026.
U.S. buys Argentine pesos. The United States intervened directly in Argentina’s currency market yesterday by buying pesos, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent wrote on social media. Washington and Buenos Aires also finalized the framework for a $20 billion swap line to further stabilize the wobbling peso. The success of Argentina’s current economic reform program is of “systemic importance,” Bessent added. The move marks only the fourth time the United States has intervened in currency markets since 1996, per the New York Fed.
Belgium reports plot. Belgian authorities thwarted a terrorist plot against Prime Minister Bart De Wever, Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Prévot said Thursday. A federal prosecutor said the would-be attackers had planned to use drone-mounted explosives to target multiple political figures. Two young adults suspected of plotting the attack were detained and are scheduled to appear before an investigating judge today.
Split in Japan’s ruling alliance. The Komeito party withdrew from the country’s governing coalition today, complicating newly elected Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) leader Takaichi Sanae’s bid to become Japan’s first female prime minister. The head of the Soka Gakkai-backed Komeito cited concerns about the LDP’s use of political slush funds. To clinch the premiership, Takaichi will need to recruit an additional party to its governing coalition.
Russia targets Ukrainian gas. Russia stepped up attacks on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure over the past week, the Washington Post reported. Ukraine has stockpiled gas as winter approaches, but the attacks could force the country to import more. The intensifying attacks come after Russia carried out its largest attack of the war on Ukraine’s state gas production facilities last Friday, the head of the gas firm said.
China’s port fees. Beijing announced it will levy fees on U.S.-owned ships docked at its ports, mirroring a similar plan from Washington. Both countries say they will begin imposing the fees next week. The United States first announced its plan in April, saying it was part of efforts to bolster the U.S. shipbuilding industry based on studies begun during the Biden administration. China argues the fees violate a bilateral maritime deal.
