Ukrainian President Zelenskyy has signed a new bill to secure the independence of anti-corruption bodies. The previous law was enacted on July 22 to place two anti-corruption agencies under the control of the president-appointed prosecutor general.

Some European countries have also voiced concerns about the law. Last week, Zelenskyy submitted a new bill designed to protect the independence of the two agencies with the president-appointed prosecutor general in place. The new law was enacted on Thursday after the parliament passed the bill and the president signed it.

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France and 14 other countries signed a “New York Call” at a United Nations conference on Tuesday, calling for recognition of the State of Palestine, French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot posted on his social media account on Wednesday.

The 15 countries expressed their willingness or positive consideration of the recognition of the State of Palestine, and invited nations across the world that have not done so to join the call. The collective appeal also voiced support for the “two-state solution,” demanded an immediate ceasefire and the release of hostages, and urged efforts to ensure unhindered humanitarian access.

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Sri Lankan President, Anura Kumara Disanayaka, has concluded his official state visit to the Maldives. The visit took place at the invitation of the President Muizzu, from 28 to 30 July.

Upon During the visit, he engaged in official talks with President Dr Muizzu and witnessed the signing of a key Memorandum of Understanding and a treaty, both aimed at enhancing bilateral cooperation. The two leaders also delivered joint press statements reaffirming their shared commitment to strengthening ties between the Maldives and Sri Lanka.

While the Maldives and Sri Lanka established diplomatic relations in 1965, this visit coincides with 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between the two nations.

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Nicolas Maduro was reelected Monday with approximately 51.2% of the vote, according to the National Electoral Council.

His supporters held pro-regime rallies and marches in a show of solidarity and political continuity, particularly surrounding the Presidential palace and Miraflores in Caracas, Venezuela. Maduro addressed jubilant supporters gathered to commemorate the 71st birthday of late President Hugo Chavez and the first anniversary of his re-election. The Venezuelan leader announced that the ruling coalition would now govern 85% of the country’s municipalities.

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President of Türkiye Recep Tayyip Erdoğan hosted Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev in Ankara.
Tokayev was received with an official ceremony at the Presidential Complex. Following a one-on-one meeting, the two leaders co-chaired the Fifth Meeting of the Türkiye-Kazakhstan High-Level Strategic Cooperation Council, after which they held a joint press conference.

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Japanese Foreign Minister Iwaya Takeshi and South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun discussed development of bilateral ties at their first in-person meeting in Tokyo. Cho is visiting Japan for the first time since he assumed the post earlier this month.

Cho said President Lee Jae-myung’s administration aims to strengthen ties with friendly countries. Both sides expressed their belief in working together on strategies through close cooperation and attempts to build communication to overcome crises considering the harsh international situation.

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Sri Lankan President Anura Kumara Disanayaka met with several members of Maldives’ ministerial cabinet in efforts to explore more areas of cooperation between the two countries during his ongoing state visit to the Maldives.

On the second day of his visit, the president met the Maldives Ministers, where he reaffirmed commitment of the Government of Maldives to working closely with Sri Lanka to further strengthen the longstanding bonds of friendship. The meetings also focused on enhancing bilateral defence cooperation, continue cooperation across a broader range of areas and deepening economic ties and collaborative development efforts.

As part of the visit, two agreements have been signed between Sri Lanka and the Maldives. President is scheduled to end his three-day official visit to the Maldives on Wednesday.

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Thailand and Cambodia agreed to an immediate ceasefire and a halt to all troop movements along their shared border.  The significant de-escalation follows coordinated discussions held on Tuesday across three key border regions, preceding a crucial General Border Committee meeting scheduled for August 4. The series of meetings held simultaneously, aimed at stabilizing the border situation.

The most comprehensive outcome stemmed from the meeting between Thailand’s 2nd Army Area and Cambodia’s Military Region 4, where a detailed seven-point plan was adopted. This plan includes a complete ceasefire, protection of civilians, and no troop reinforcements and movements that could heighten tensions.

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French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot and Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa together with the Palestinian ambassador to the UN held  bilateral meeting on the sidelines of a UN conference on Monday.

Regarding the two-state solution between Israelis and the Palestinians, Barrot declared that there was “no alternative”, emphasizing that only a political agreement could satisfy both peoples’ aspirations for peace and security.

Mustafa called on Western countries to recognize Palestinian statehood  “without delay,” and proposed an international protective force, and demanded Hamas disarmament and reform of the Palestinian Authority .

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US President Donald Trump is due to meet Monday with UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer during a five-day visit to Scotland. The talks will come a day after the US and the European Union reached a landmark deal to end a transatlantic standoff over tariffs and avert a full-blown trade war.

Starmer is expected to push Trump on urging a revival of stalled ceasefire talks between Israel and Hamas as a hunger crisis deepens in the besieged Palestinian territory. European countries expressed growing alarm at the situation in Gaza, and as Starmer faces domestic pressure to follow France's lead and recognize a Palestinian state.

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