BIG Wrap

(Al Jazeera Media Network) The head of the United States Treasury, Scott Bessent, has announced he is working to corral the private sector around a new $20-billion “facility” to support Argentina’s embattled economy. “We are working on a $20-billion facility that would be adjacent to our swap line, of private banks and sovereign wealth funds that I think would be more aimed at the debt market,” he told reporters on Wednesday in Washington, DC. Bessent added that...

(BBC News) US President Donald Trump has confirmed a report he authorized the CIA to conduct covert operations inside Venezuela, provoking outrage from the South American nation's leaders. US forces have already conducted at least five strikes on suspected drug-carrying boats in the Caribbean in recent weeks, killing 27 people. UN-appointed human rights experts have described the raids as "extrajudicial executions". Speaking at the White House, Trump said the US "is looking at land" as it...

(Al Jazeera Media Network) A Madagascar army colonel says the military has taken charge of the African island nation after its parliament voted to impeach President Andry Rajoelina. Colonel Michael Randrianirina’s announcement in front of the ceremonial presidential palace in the capital, Antananarivo, on Tuesday came almost immediately after parliament voted to impeach Rajoelina, who fled the country after soldiers joined mass antigovernment protests. “We have taken the power,” Randrianirina said, adding that the military was...

(BBC News) The leaders of Egypt, Turkey and Qatar have joined US President Donald Trump in signing a commitment to implement his plan to end the two-year war between Israel and Hamas in the Gaza Strip. It came at the end of a day that saw Hamas hand over all 20 living hostages it was holding in Gaza in exchange for the release of almost 2,000 Palestinian prisoners and detainees held in Israeli jails. Hamas also...

(BBC News) The office of Madagascar's President Andry Rajoelina has said an attempt to seize power illegally and by force is under way in the country. Hours later, an army unit known as CAPSAT claimed that it had taken over the leadership of the military command, and was now in control of all the armed forces – land, air, and naval. This is the same unit that played a crucial role in the 2009 Malagasy political...

(Al Jazeera Media Network) Israel says it expects to receive all its remaining living captives from Gaza early on Monday, a key step in the ceasefire now in effect. Speaking on Sunday, government spokeswoman Shosh Bedrosian said Israel anticipates all 20 living captives will be returned together in the early hours of Monday. As in previous exchanges during the two-year war, the captives will first be handed over to the Red Cross, which will transport them...

(BBC News) The White House has accused the Nobel Committee of placing "politics over peace" for awarding its most coveted prize to a Venezuelan pro-democracy activist over President Donald Trump. On Friday, the Committee announced María Coria Machado would receive the Peace Prize for her "tireless work promoting democratic rights for the people of Venezuela." Trump has been outspoken about his desire for the award, taking credit for ending several global conflicts. He regularly brought it up, including during his...

(Al Jazeera Media Network) President Vladimir Putin has said Russia is developing new strategic weapons, while noting that an arms race is already in progress. Speaking to reporters at a summit in Tajikistan on Friday, the Russian leader said it would not be critical for Moscow if the United States declined to extend the warhead limits set out in a nuclear arms treaty that expires next year. Putin said it would, however, be a shame if...

(BBC News) President Donald Trump has threatened to pull out of an expected meeting with President Xi Jinping of China after Beijing tightened its rules for exports of rare earths. In a post on social media, Trump said he now saw "no reason" to meet with President Xi later this month, accusing China of "becoming very hostile" and trying to hold the world "captive". He also threatened a "massive" increase in tariffs on Chinese goods, indicating...

(BBC News) After three days of intense indirect negotiations in Egypt, US President Donald Trump says Israel and Hamas have "signed off on the first phase" of the 20-point peace plan he unveiled last week. "This means that ALL of the Hostages will be released very soon, and Israel will withdraw their Troops to an agreed upon line as the first steps toward a Strong, Durable, and Everlasting Peace," he posted on social media, without...