The Indonesian government has announced that 90.68% of its goods can enter Peru tariff-free under the Indonesia-Peru Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA). The agreement prioritizes ten key commodities, including motor vehicles, footwear, textiles, palm oil, and household appliances. Director General of International Trade Negotiations Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono stated that the zero-tariff policy will be implemented in stages, with priority given to motor vehicles, footwear, textiles, palm oil, and cooling products.
Indonesia has signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with Peru, its second such agreement after one with Chile. Director General of International Trade Negotiations Djatmiko Bris Witjaksono announced the signing at a press conference in Jakarta. The agreement aims to facilitate easier import and export access for trading products from both countries, but investment cooperation is not yet included. Indonesia's relationship with Peru is seen as good politically and economically, with the CEPA expected to provide a more favorable climate for product exports to the country.
Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei stated that if the European Three (E3) raises the issue at the UN Security Council, Iran can approve quitting the nuclear deal within 24 hours. This comes after a recent war between Iran and Israel in June, where US and Israeli jets targeted key nuclear facilities in Iran. The E3 nations had met with Iranian officials last month in Istanbul to discuss reimposing international sanctions, which were lifted in 2015 as part of a previous nuclear deal.
Israel has proposed a plan to Gaza City that does not involve occupying or annexing the territory. Western nations such as Britain, Canada, and Australia have urged Israel to allow unrestricted humanitarian aid into Gaza due to its "unimaginable levels" of suffering. However, Israel blames Hamas for diverting aid shipments, which Hamas denies. In New Zealand, a group of protesters gathered outside Parliament, chanting "MPs grow a spine, recognise Palestine," while Green MP Chloe Swarbrick was ejected from the chamber for refusing to apologize for her comments on Israel's alleged war crimes.
New Zealand's Prime Minister Christopher Luxon has been pushing for New Zealand and the EU to join the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP) as a response to US President Trump's tariff wars. In April, Luxon proposed this idea to European Commission chief Ursula von der Leyen. Recently, the White House imposed 15% tariffs on New Zealand, similar to those faced by the EU, in August. Wellington's Trade Minister Todd McClay will visit Washington for negotiations to lower tariffs on Aotearoan imports, but acknowledges that overcoming the trade surplus with the US is a challenging task.
Malaysia's anti-corruption officials have cracked a major smuggling ring masterminded by senior army officers in the southern part of the country. Five senior military officers and five civilians, including an Indonesian national, were arrested in simultaneous raids around the Klang Valley. The operation, code-named Ops Sohor, was carried out with support from the Malaysian Anti-Corruption Commission's Intelligence Division. The suspects allegedly colluded with smugglers over five years, amassing over $712,000 in illicit gains by leaking military operational information and bringing in prohibited items such as drugs and cigarettes from neighboring countries.
Malaysian authorities have busted a syndicate involved in smuggling prohibited goods, including drugs, cigarettes, and contraband, into Malaysia from neighboring countries. The five suspects allegedly received bribes of RM30,000 to RM50,000 each for their involvement. Authorities seized over RM63,000 in cash, packets of drugs, weighing equipment, liquor, and imitation firearms during the raids. An Indonesian woman without valid travel documents was also arrested during the operation.
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has endorsed Trump's suggestion to expel Gaza's two million people to Egypt and Jordan, a move that would recall the "Nakba" or catastrophe of 1948. Diplomatic efforts aimed at securing a ceasefire have stalled, with mediation led by Qatar, Egypt, and the US failing to secure a breakthrough since a short-lived truce earlier this year. Netanyahu opposes the staggered release of hostages, instead wanting all hostages returned as part of an end to the war under his conditions. Israel has intensified its air strikes on Gaza City, killing at least 33 people in recent days, with the bombardment described as "extremely intense" by a resident.
Netanyahu's plan to expand military control over Gaza has sparked global outrage, with 21 deaths and 185 injuries reported in the past 24 hours as Palestinians attempted to access humanitarian aid. The total death toll since May 27 stands at 1,859, including 235 related to starvation, while Israel's military operations have killed 10,201 people and injured 42,484 since March 18. International pressure mounts on Israel, with the ICC issuing arrest warrants for Netanyahu and Gallant, and a genocide case filed at the ICJ. Israeli planes and tanks continue to bombard eastern Gaza City, killing at least 11 people, as Hamas leader Khalil Al-Hayya arrives in Cairo to revive a US-backed ceasefire plan.