THE MUSTS

World

unexpected good news

 Trump is applauded in Israel and signs historical ceasefire in Egypt

A day for the history books. Last monday, the last 20 Israeli hostages still held by Hamas were released after more than two years in captivity, marking the first step in the US-brokered ceasefire agreement.

• The handover, carried out by the Red Cross, was accompanied by a speech by Trump in the Israeli Parliament. Ovationed by parliamentarians and citizens, Trump was welcomed as a “hero of peace.”

In his speech, he said that “the era of terror in the Middle East is over,” while Netanyahu called him “the greatest friend Israel has ever had in the White House.”

Hours later, Trump traveled to Egypt to formalize the ceasefire agreement, signed by mediators Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the US itself. Neither Israel nor Hamas were present.

The pact provides for the creation of an international council to administer Gaza during the transition period. It is not yet clear how this will work in practice.

• Analysts see the agreement as a major political victory for Trump.

• Critics contest the end of the conflict as long as there is no concrete plan to demilitarize Hamas and create the State of Palestine.

Trump seems to want to be remembered as a man who stopped wars. His next “target” is likely to be Eastern Europe. Tomorrow, Trump is scheduled to meet with Zelensky at the White House to discuss what weapons the US should supply to Ukraine.

What else in on

• Venezuela: Venezuelan opposition leader María Corina Machado won the Nobel Peace Prize. (Read)

• Brazil: The real country of coffee reached the milestone of 7 million foreign tourists in a single year for the first time, up 45% from 2024. Let’s celebrate with a caipirinha! (Read)

• Japan: Inspired by Margaret Thatcher, conservative Sanae Takaichi was elected leader of the Liberal Democratic Party and is set to become the country's first female prime minister. (Read)

• France: Current Prime Minister Sébastien Lecornu was appointed on September 9, 2025, resigned less than a month later on October 6, and was reappointed just four days after — a move that perfectly captures France’s ongoing political instability (Read)
  

 Midnight Sun by Zara Larsson: I think it’s funny how sometimes, inside my own writing, I catch a full-circle moment happening — one that makes me want to quote myself. Three editions ago, I wrote about Ava Max and said: “Ava Max recently said in a Rolling Stone interview that she’s ‘the most mismanaged pop star ever.’ While I’d argue that crown could also go to Zara Larsson…” And yet, here we are — with Zara finally turning that page.

After years of being one of pop’s most consistent yet underrated figures, things seem to be aligning again for Sweden’s pop princess. Her recent viral moments — including opening for Tate McRae, a move that surprised many given Zara’s longer tenure in the industry — have reignited interest in her music. And nearly a decade after “Lush Life” she’s back with Midnight Sun, her most radiant body of work yet (in my humble, but correct opinion).

• It’s hard not to see Midnight Sun as a course correction. The album feels like a recalibration of who Zara is and what she does best: glittering hooks, big emotions, and that signature Scandinavian sparkle. Tracks like “Midnight Sun” itself fuse euphoric club beats with airy, starry-eyed pop melodies — the kind of songs that feel equally at home on dance floors and in festival fields. It’s a reminder of her pop instincts, her ear for melody, and her ability to make joy sound effortless.

Ultimately, Midnight Sun captures Zara Larsson in her most authentic and confident era yet — playful, polished, and finally getting the attention she deserves. Viral on TikTok, lighting up stages, and once again doing what she was always meant to do. It’s good to have you back, Zara. (Rating 8.5/10)

Best songs: Midnight Sun; Blue Moon; Saturn’s Return and Crush

This classic line from Alice in Wonderland (one of my favorite movies by the way) has always stayed with me. The scene is iconic: Alice lost, blonde and uncertain, asks the Cheshire Cat which way to go, and he calmly replies that it depends on where she wants to end up.

But what happens when we don’t know where we want to go? Do we really need to have a defined destination to find what’s the right path?

The older I get, the more I realize that unpredictability is the only real constant. Planning is good (and trust me, I am a big planner), but too much rigidity can blind us to the detours that lead to unexpected places. After all, who can guarantee that the goal you have today will still make you happy tomorrow?

I’ve always been the kind of person who likes to plan every step in advance. But lately, life has been gently inviting me to loosen my grip — to open myself a bit more to the surprises. And I’m not talking about sitting back and waiting for a happy ending. I am talking about walking with intention: showing up with integrity, building good habits, and trying to be the best version of yourself. Because if you do that — if you cultivate consistency, generosity, and kindness — the outcome might just be better than anything you could’ve planned.

My conclusion, if any, is that the trick is to control what you can: how you treat people, how you face challenges, your daily effort and discipline. And then, to embrace what you can’t control — trusting that even what escapes your plans might be leading you somewhere good.

 Things may not go as planned, but if you are doing your best, life will give you the best it has to offer (which you don’t even know yet).

With love,
M.

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