Ceasefire

Hello from the FT newsroom. After weeks of war, a US-drafted ceasefire agreement was agreed by Israel and Lebanon this week. Guns fell silent yesterday and the more than 1mn displaced Lebanese started trickling back to bombed-out areas. Our reporters in Israel explain how the ceasefire come about.

The FT's Middle East correspondent Raya Jalabi looks at the prospect of internal tensions in Lebanon after the war and our Middle East editor Andrew England details why the peace will be tenuous.?

My choices this week

1. “How do you make America great again if global demand is falling?” In her first interview since Donald Trump’s re-election, European Central Bank chief Christine Lagarde told me and my colleagues in Frankfurt how Europe should respond to Trump’s tariff threats.
2. New York investment bank Jefferies has been a loyal friend to Indian billionaire Gautam Adani despite past fraud allegations, and in turn has propelled its own business in India. Now, Adani has been charged by US federal prosecutors over an alleged $250mn bribery scheme. Where does it leave Jefferies?
3. China is investigating its defence minister for corruption — the third successive person in that role to face that accusation. The news, revealed yesterday by the FT, suggests that Xi Jinping is broadening a probe into corruption in the ruling party. (Free to read)
4. Five months since the UK general election, Prime Minister Keir Starmer’s approval ratings have plummeted. Even his allies say he needs to raise his game — and quickly — after a “bumpy” start.
5. Wicked has been everywhere this week, from screens to buses to supermarkets. Watching the frenzy from her corner of America’s Midwest, Patti Waldmeir thinks that the US can learn something from Glinda and Elphaba. (Free to read)
6. If ever there was a sign that winter is upon us, this is surely it: as is tradition, FT writers have recommended their favourite books of 2024 for you to enjoy. (You can find out what these are for free if you download our Edit app)

Thanks for reading,

Roula

PS With so many changes happening in the US, I recommend signing up for our excellent White House Watch newsletter. It will keep you up-to-date with everything you need to know.

Roula Khalaf

Editor

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