The "Ecos de Paz" cultural exchange event in New York City will commemorate the 80th anniversary of World War II's end and the founding of the United Nations. The event, scheduled for August 13 at 8pm EST, will honor heroes, reflect on resilience, and reaffirm peace principles that have guided the international community for eight decades. Delegations from around 30 countries, including UN officials, WWII veterans' representatives, and diplomats, will attend. Prominent figures from China, the US, and the UN will deliver keynote speeches. The event will feature performances of "Tennessee" from Pearl Harbor and "Flores de Paz", a tribute to hope and overcoming adversity. A stunning cartographic projection will be displayed at the UN Headquarters' Secretariat Building, narrating the world's journey towards peace and the establishment of the UN.
European leaders, including Angela Merkel, Emmanuel Macron, Keir Starmer, and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, condemned a potential territorial deal between US President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, with Merkel promising new sanctions and financial support for Ukraine in exchange for an unconditional ceasefire.
Leaders from Finland, France, the UK, Italy, Poland, and Ukraine will meet with European Commission and Council heads, NATO's secretary general, US President and his deputy in Berlin talks. British Prime Minister Keir Starmer and French President Emmanuel Macron are also scheduled to participate in a Coalition of the Willing roundtable discussion with German officials, including Chancellor Olaf Scholz's ally, Health Minister Karl-Theodor Merz.
In Geneva, the United Nations office is hosting critical talks on creating a safe and healthy world, with Graham Forbes, head of Greenpeace's delegation, emphasizing the need for action. Industry leaders, including Chris Jahn, president and CEO of the American Chemistry Council, are meeting with delegates to discuss their priorities for the treaty. Meanwhile, Canadian artist Benjamin Von Wong is using art to influence policy by creating a sculpture outside the U.N. office, depicting Mother Earth cradling a baby while surrounded by plastic waste, symbolizing the health impacts of pollution.
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.
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.