General strike starts in Israel amid public anger over hostage deaths

Good morning. Over the weekend we’ve been watching the result of seismic state elections in Europe’s largest economic system. The Different for Germany occasion swept to success in Germany’s jap area of Thuringia, the primary time a far-right occasion has gained a state ballot within the nation’s post-war historical past. The outcomes have been a disaster for the parties in Chancellor Olaf Scholz’s three-way coalition authorities.

However first, a common strike has shut down much of Israel amid rising anger on the authorities’s failure to safe the discharge of hostages held by Hamas after the demise of six captives in Gaza on the weekend.

It represents the nation’s first widespread industrial motion since Hamas’s assault final October, with flights halted from Ben Gurion worldwide airport. Universities, buying malls and ports have been shut.

Tens of 1000’s of individuals took to the streets in Tel Aviv and different cities yesterday after the Israel Protection Forces retrieved the bodies of six Israeli hostages seized by Hamas final 12 months throughout the group’s assault on southern Israel. Extra protests are anticipated at present.

• A divided nation: Time is quickly running out for the remaining 101 hostages, stoking tensions between protesters and Netanyahu’s far-right allies.

Right here’s what else I’m holding tabs on at present:

We’ve beloved studying all of the questions you’ve despatched in for us to reply in a particular weekend version of FirstFT. Please preserve them coming: hit “reply” and keep in mind to incorporate your title and the place you’re writing from — Georgina

5 extra high tales

1. The far-right Different for Germany has gained elections within the jap area of Thuringia. Based on preliminary outcomes, the AfD garnered 32.8 per cent in Thuringia, manner forward of all different events. Our Berlin bureau chief explores how the AfD became a home for many east Germans regardless of its radical popularity.

2. Brazil’s Supreme Courtroom is going through a backlash over its transfer to ban X after the social media firm refused to adjust to a deadline to nominate a authorized consultant. The courtroom additionally dominated that customers who entry Elon Musk’s platform utilizing digital non-public networks would face every day fines of about $8,000, an even more contentious decision.

3. A distinguished shareholder in Seven & i Holdings (the proprietor of 7-Eleven) has set a deadline for the Japanese comfort retailer large to replace buyers on the takeover bid by Canada’s Couche-Tard. US-based Artisan Companions despatched a letter to the board of the 7-Eleven guardian firm warning that management will be “held accountable” if it didn’t instantly open negotiations with the customer. 

4. Kamala Harris is planning to spend $370mn on promoting between early September and the US election in November. The Democratic candidate’s try to show a surge in donations right into a sustainable polling lead over Donald Trump will embody what her marketing campaign is describing because the biggest digital ad buy in the history of American politics.

5. Poland and different international locations bordering Ukraine have a “obligation” to shoot down incoming Russian missiles earlier than they enter their airspace, the Polish overseas minister informed the FT. Regardless of Nato’s fears that such interceptions may embroil the alliance in Russia’s conflict in opposition to Ukraine, Radosław Sikorski argued it would be “legitimate self-defence”.

• Warfare in Ukraine: Ukrainian forces have continued to lose ground within the nation’s jap Donetsk area, with Russian troops nearing the logistic hub of Pokrovsk.

Really feel higher knowledgeable on the occasions shaping your world with our relaunched e-newsletter Newswrap. Darren Dodd, a former FT information editor, explains how the most important tales relate to world financial and enterprise developments. Sign up here to get it delivered thrice every week.

The Huge Learn

Manufacturers from Shein and Zara to H&M and Lego are throwing themselves right into a booming second-hand economic system, and celebrities equivalent to Bella Hadid, Rihanna and Sarah Jessica Parker have all embraced thrift. Final week, Ikea joined the development, launching a peer-to-peer market for furnishings. Will firms be able to make money from a market lengthy dominated by not-for-profit charity and thrift shops?

We’re additionally studying . . . 

• US coverage priorities: If Kamala Harris wins, she might want to connect the dots within the US economic system, writes Rana Foroohar, together with in areas equivalent to housing, childcare, competitors and tax coverage.

• Classes for leaders: This op-ed by Michael Skapinker, which has intriguing insights into how one can navigate workplace politics, is proving popular with FT readers.

• Reliance on China: Europe ought to rely much less on China for know-how and present it has discovered its classes about relying an excessive amount of on a single provider, because it did beforehand with Russian oil and gasoline, Denmark’s prime minister has warned.

• AI’s place: Henry Mance sits down with Google government James Manyika, who warns employers that the hyped-up productiveness positive factors from AI are “not guaranteed”.

Chart of the day

The worth of European sustainable funding funds’ publicity to defence shares has more than doubled since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, in keeping with an FT evaluation.

Take a break from the information

As somebody who jumped on the “in a single day oats” breakfast bandwagon a couple of months in the past (and hasn’t appeared again since), I used to be intrigued by this piece that breaks down why “in a single day” options in a few of our favorite recipes. I’d like to know what culinary hacks you’ve uncovered by making ready meals the evening earlier than (I’m at georgina.quach@ft.com).

Further contributions from Tee Zhuo and Benjamin Wilhelm