In recent news, various topics have emerged that highlight important cultural, environmental, and health issues. From James Bond fans aiming to honor a memorable character to the ongoing debates surrounding pandemics and international relations, there’s much to explore.
<h2>Cultural Updates</h2>
<p><a href="https://notesfrompoland.com/2026/05/19/james-bond-fans-launch-fundraiser-for-statue-of-supervillain-blofeld-in-his-polish-hometown/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">James Bond fans launch fundraiser for statue of supervillain Blofeld in his Polish “hometown”</a> Notes from Poland</p>
<p><a href="https://vinepair.com/booze-news/pabst-discontinues-schlitz-beer/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Pabst Discontinues Schlitz, the Beloved American Lager Brand</a> VinePair</p>
<p><a href="https://www.construction-physics.com/p/the-rise-of-build-to-rent-housing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Rise of Build-to-Rent Housing</a> Construction Physics</p>
<h2>Climate and Environmental Issues</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.vims.edu/newsandevents/topstories/2026/sea-level-rise-is-swallowing-mid-atlantic-farmland-faster-than-expected-study-finds.php" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sea level rise is swallowing Mid-Atlantic farmland faster than expected, study finds</a> Virginia Institute of Marine Science</p>
<p><a href="https://phys.org/news/2026-05-central-asia-ice-loss-millions.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Central Asia’s record-breaking ice loss in 2025 raises water risks for millions</a> Phys.org</p>
<p><a href="https://balancedweather.substack.com/p/serious-urban-flash-flooding-strikes" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Serious urban flash flooding strikes two major US cities – but is handled very differently</a> Balanced Weather</p>
<p><a href="https://harpers.org/archive/2026/06/hard-rain-weather-modification-wyatt-williams/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Hard Rain</a> Harper’s: “The battle over weather modification”</p>
<p><a href="https://www.realclimate.org/index.php/archives/2026/05/scenarios-schmenarios/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Scenarios, schmenarios…</a> RealClimate</p>
<p><a href="https://alexsteffen.substack.com/p/is-community-an-answer-to-brittleness" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Is Community an Answer to Brittleness?</a> The Snap Forward</p>
<p><a href="https://atmos.earth/art-and-culture/the-honey-collectors-who-risk-their-lives-in-tiger-country/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">THE HONEY COLLECTORS WHO RISK THEIR LIVES IN TIGER COUNTRY</a> Atmos</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2026/may/21/risk-of-snakebites-increasing-climate-crisis-habitat-loss-who-study" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Risk of snakebites increasing as reptiles adapt to changing world, says study</a> The Guardian</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Pandemics</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=5463143" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">COVID and the Great Retrenchment</a> University of Michigan Law</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">This may be one of the more important long COVID papers in a while.<br/>A new study in Frontiers in Immunology suggests that COVID can trigger new-onset insulin resistance – and that this may drive abnormal NETosis in neutrophils months after infection🧵</p>
<p>— Zdenek Vrozina (@ZdenekVrozina) <a href="https://twitter.com/ZdenekVrozina/status/2057411825939906609?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 21, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Ebola</h3>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">And this is exactly what I’ve been saying happens in a pandemic with 40+% mortality. Everything breaks down. Anarchy. People not getting things. They are setting fire to the hospital (the last place you would want to set a fire to).<br/>Supply chains break fast. You need to have… <a href="https://t.co/G8NJP4uKzg" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/G8NJP4uKzg</a></p>
<p>— Roger Seheult, MD (@RogerSeheult) <a href="https://twitter.com/RogerSeheult/status/2057562573319684418?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 21, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/healthcare/5889058-robert-redfield-cdc-ebola-outbreak-pandemic/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Former CDC director on Ebola outbreak: ‘I suspect this is going to become a very significant pandemic’</a> The Hill</p>
<p><a href="https://www.independent.co.uk/news/health/ebola-outbreak-2026-congo-symptoms-b2981041.html" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Fears as Ebola cases reported in rebel-held area hundreds of kilometers from epicenter</a> The Independent</p>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/world/2026/may/21/ebola-outbreak-public-health" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">US is ‘simply choosing not to stop’ Ebola outbreak after massive public health cuts, experts say</a> The Guardian</p>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/AvVHF#selection-291.0-291.61" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">White House resisted letting doctor with Ebola return to U.S.</a> WaPo. And a second one: <a href="https://english.radio.cz/us-doctor-exposed-ebola-be-treated-prague-under-strict-isolation-8887076" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">US doctor exposed to Ebola to be treated in Prague under strict isolation</a> Radio Prague International</p>
<p><a href="https://www.fiercebiotech.com/biotech/us-taps-small-san-diego-biotech-experimental-ebola-treatment-epidemic-worsens" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">US taps small San Diego biotech for experimental Ebola treatment as epidemic worsens</a> Fierce Biotech</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Hantavirus</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://medicalxpress.com/news/2026-05-high-prevalence-hantavirus-areas-pacific.html?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">High prevalence of hantavirus in some areas of the Pacific Northwest</a> Medical Xpress. In rodent populations.</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Water Supply Concerns</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.fox4news.com/news/woman-arrested-facebook-post-concerning-trinidad-water-poisoning" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Woman files lawsuit after arrest for Facebook post concerning Trinidad water supply issues</a> FOX4</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>International Relations</h2>
<h3>China Relations</h3>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Each American CEO came to China with a specific issue they wanted to address. Nearly all of them left empty-handed.</p>
<p>Most intriguing in this piece was the confirmation that China had indeed blocked Maxwell from selling solar manufacturing equipment to Elon Musk. <a href="https://t.co/4Zp9Xvshdp" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">https://t.co/4Zp9Xvshdp</a></p>
<p>— Kyle Chan (@kyleichan) <a href="https://twitter.com/kyleichan/status/2057654839211921842?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 22, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/policy/defense/5890471-us-arms-sales-taiwan-paused-iran/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Acting Navy secretary: Taiwan weapons sales paused to ensure munitions for Iran war</a> The Hill</p>
<p><a href="https://georgechen.substack.com/p/trump-got-the-show-putin-got-the" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump Got the Show, Putin Got the Bromance — Xi Took the Stage</a> George Chen</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Southeast Asia</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.thehindu.com/news/international/indonesia-signed-letter-of-intent-but-made-no-commitment-to-us-on-airspace-access-defence-minister-sjafrie/article70996826.ece" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Indonesia signed letter of intent but made no commitment to U.S. on airspace access: Defence Minister Sjafrie</a> The Hindu</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>India</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://thewire.in/diplomacy/chess-piece-to-blood-bag-what-trump-xi-summit-could-spell-for-india" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">‘Chess Piece’ to ‘Blood Bag’? What Trump-Xi Summit Could Spell for India</a> The Wire</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Syraqistan</h3>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">An Israeli unit’s “homecoming” party featured a display of their well-documented annihilation of southern Lebanon’s villages, met with cheers and laughter from crowds of soldiers, their relatives, and family members.</p>
<p>It is a scene impossible to see anywhere but Israel. <a href="https://t.co/EkAwH3jL9s" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/EkAwH3jL9s</a></p>
<p>— Israel Genocide Tracker (@trackingisrael) <a href="https://twitter.com/trackingisrael/status/2057548738692776343?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 21, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.newarab.com/news/gaza-flotilla-activists-deported-after-abuse-israel-custody" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Gaza flotilla activists deported after ‘abuse’, ‘torture’ in Israeli custody</a> The New Arab</p>
<p><a href="https://www.caitlinjohnst.one/p/theyre-not-mad-at-ben-gvir-for-being" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">They’re Not Mad At Ben-Gvir For Being Evil, They’re Mad At Him For Being Honest</a> Caitlin Johnstone</p>
<p><a href="https://www.npr.org/2026/05/20/nx-s1-5828826/us-palestinians-un" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The U.S. threatens to revoke the Palestinian U.N. ambassador’s visa</a> NPR</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">Today, the Lebanese resistance targeted Col. Meir Biderman, commander of the IDF’s 401st Armored Brigade, in south Lebanon. Israeli media report that he is fighting for his life.<br/>This is the same brigade that murdered Hind Rajab, stormed Al-Shifa Hospital and terrorized Rafah. <a href="https://t.co/11h3djyvg0" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/11h3djyvg0</a></p>
<p>— Dyab Abou Jahjah (@Aboujahjah) <a href="https://twitter.com/Aboujahjah/status/2057139899141169612?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 20, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p style="text-align: center;">***</p>
<p><a href="https://simplicius76.substack.com/p/trump-cancels-last-minute-attack" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump Cancels Last Minute Attack Amidst Reports Iran Has Now Clocked US Tactics</a> Simplicius</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Geopolitical Developments</h2>
<h3>European Disunion</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20260521-trump-to-deploy-5-000-us-troops-to-poland-after-earlier-plan-was-canceled?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump to deploy 5,000 US troops to Poland after earlier plan was canceled</a> France24</p>
<p><a href="https://www.eastisread.com/p/brussels-blames-china-the-data-point" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Brussels Blames China. The Data Point Elsewhere</a> The East is Read</p>
<p><a href="https://www.eugyppius.com/p/the-german-political-establishment-c30" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The German political establishment is losing its mind as the AfD cements its dominance over the electorate</a> eugyppius</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>O Canada</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://transitionsecurity.org/military-minerals/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Military Minerals: How US Military Demand Is Intensifying Extraction on Indigenous Lands</a> Transition Security Project</p>
</blockquote>
<h3>Old Blighty</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/may/21/london-mayor-sadiq-khan-blocks-met-police-deal-with-palantir" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Sadiq Khan sparks row with Met after blocking £50m AI deal with Palantir</a> The Guardian</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Continued Tensions</h2>
<h3>New Not-So-Cold War</h3>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://peterturchin.substack.com/p/is-ukraine-russia-war-entering-the" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Is Ukraine-Russia War Entering the End Game?</a> Cliodynamica by Peter Turchin</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NATO incrementalism: First they denied that NATO airspace was used to attack Russia; then they argued the Ukrainian drones did not have permission to be in NATO airspace; now the Swedish Prime Minister argues NATO should help Ukraine direct their attacks in the “right direction”… <a href="https://t.co/i88txcdbzs" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/i88txcdbzs</a></p>
<p>— Glenn Diesen (@Glenn_Diesen) <a href="https://twitter.com/Glenn_Diesen/status/2057523429704650995?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 21, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.straitstimes.com/world/europe/finlands-massive-bomb-shelters-draw-world-to-helsinki-in-quest-for-security?ref=latest-headlines" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Finland’s massive bomb shelters draw world to Helsinki in quest for security</a> Straits Times</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">🚨⚠️🚨Ukrainian forces deliberately struck sleeping children in the LPR: they targeted the academic building and dormitory of the Starobelsk College.</p>
<p>At the time of the attack, 86 children between the ages of 14 and 18 were inside the building. At least 35 people were injured.… <a href="https://t.co/vzrkK0C0wD" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/vzrkK0C0wD</a></p>
<p>— Ignorance, the root and stem of all evil (@ivan_8848) <a href="https://twitter.com/ivan_8848/status/2057725336662528089?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 22, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.intellinews.com/ukraine-tests-balloon-launched-drone-system-to-extend-strike-range-444177/?source=russia" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Ukraine tests balloon-launched drone system to extend strike range</a> Intellinews</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Imperial Collapse Watch</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://theduran.substack.com/p/matter-of-time" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Matter of Time</a> Jon Kurpis, The Duran</p>
<p><a href="https://dawnmena.org/u-s-new-data-highlights-aipac-ties-to-the-u-s-israeli-governments/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">U.S.: New Data Highlights AIPAC Ties To The U.S., Israeli Governments</a> DAWN</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>South of the Border</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://accuracy.org/release/the-provocative-reality-behind-the-cuban-airplane-shootdown" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Provocative Reality Behind the Cuban Airplane Shootdown</a> Accuracy.org</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>L’affaire Epstein</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://jkbjournalist.substack.com/p/who-is-sarah-kellen-and-why-wasnt" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Who is Sarah Kellen and why wasn’t she charged with Epstein-related crimes?</a> The Epstein Files by Julie K. Brown</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Trump 2.0</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.msn.com/en-us/news/politics/trump-allies-and-foes-jockey-for-payouts-from-anti-weaponization-fund/ar-AA23MsmM" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump Allies and Foes Jockey for Payouts From ‘Anti-Weaponization’ Fund</a> WSJ</p>
<p><a href="https://thehill.com/homenews/senate/5889668-budget-reconciliation-anti-weaponization-fund-republicans/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Republicans punt on reconciliation amid furious disagreement over ‘anti-weaponization’ fund</a> The Hill</p>
<p><a href="https://seymourhersh.substack.com/p/is-trumps-justice-department-pursuing" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">IS TRUMP’S JUSTICE DEPARTMENT PURSUING OBAMA?</a> Seymour Hersh</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Democrats Suck</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/elections/2026/05/21/dnc-autopsy-biden-harris-2024-presidential-election/90197238007/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Biden team failed Kamala Harris in 2024, Democratic autopsy says</a> USA Today</p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">DNC autopsy author Paul Rivera met with the pro-Palestinian group IMEU Policy Project in July 2025, and told them the war in Gaza hurt Democrats in the 2024 election, according to two people familiar with the meeting.</p>
<p>But the final report makes no mention of “Israel” or “Gaza.”… <a href="https://t.co/zDjGZ80K9p" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/zDjGZ80K9p</a></p>
<p>— Holly Otterbein (@hollyotterbein) <a href="https://twitter.com/hollyotterbein/status/2057516909445501420?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 21, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://calmatters.org/economy/2026/05/fast-food-council-no-chairperson/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">California’s ‘groundbreaking’ fast food council lacks a leader, hasn’t met in over a year</a> Cal Matters</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>The Uniparty</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://archive.is/RDBNs#selection-755.0-755.22" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The Data-Center Divide</a> Harper’s</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Police State Watch</h2>
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
<p dir="ltr" lang="en">NEW: Multiple ICE warehouses were sold by people in Trump’s circle who were sitting on the properties and losing money.</p>
<p>We dug into it, and found that some properties were bought by the feds for 10x their list price.</p>
<p>It’s a new level of corruption — and you’re paying for it. <a href="https://t.co/MmUDL9kFsW" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">pic.twitter.com/MmUDL9kFsW</a></p>
<p>— More Perfect Union (@MorePerfectUS) <a href="https://twitter.com/MorePerfectUS/status/2057086883167903874?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">May 20, 2026</a></p>
</blockquote>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://documentedny.com/2026/05/18/immigrants-held-ice-jail-deportation/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Immigrants Reportedly Held in ICE Jails Despite Agreeing to Leave U.S.</a> Documented</p>
<p><a href="https://migrantinsider.com/p/ice-spent-more-in-january-than-nasa" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">ICE Spent More in January Than NASA Gets All Year</a> Migrant Insider</p>
<p><a href="https://truthout.org/articles/newly-released-footage-highlights-ices-use-of-facial-recognition-technology/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Newly Released Footage Highlights ICE’s Use of Facial Recognition Technology</a> Truthout</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Big Brother Is Watching You Watch</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.404media.co/after-town-bans-flock-councilmember-crashes-out-proposes-internet-and-phone-ban/?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">After Town Bans Flock, Councilmember Crashes Out, Proposes Internet and Phone Ban</a> 404 Media</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Artificial Intelligence</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://garymarcus.substack.com/p/checking-the-math-behind-openai-and" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Checking the math behind OpenAI and Anthropic’s latest headlines</a> Gary Marcus</p>
<p><a href="https://davidoks.blog/p/ai-is-killing-the-cheap-smartphone" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">AI is killing the cheap smartphone</a> David Oks</p>
<p><a href="https://www.whatwelo.st/p/generative-ais-existential-cringe?" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Generative AI’s Existential Cringe</a> What We Lost</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Changing Landscape of Agriculture</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://www.morningagclips.com/trump-defends-chinese-purchases-of-us-farmland/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Trump Defends Chinese Purchases of US Farmland</a> Morning Ag Clips</p>
<p><a href="https://futuredude.substack.com/p/the-united-states-has-a-food-system" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">The United States Has a Food System Crisis, Not a Food Shortage</a> William Murphy</p>
</blockquote>
<h2>Class Warfare</h2>
<blockquote>
<p><a href="https://jonathancook.substack.com/p/western-leaders-play-their-part-in" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Western leaders play their part in our charade democracies. Can you spot the tell?</a> Jonathan Cook</p>
<p><a href="https://papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers.cfm?abstract_id=6272159" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">Imperfect Guardians</a> California Law Review. ‘…confidence in the comparatively reactionary character of ordinary, working-class, and poor people in the United States is in no way proportional to the evidence. That confidence reflects less a grounded finding, and more ideology or faith in the need for elite rule. To allow these commitments to go untested is particularly dangerous in the face of the authoritarian politics of hyper-concentrated wealth and power that has become a feature of contemporary life. Such discourse diverts attention from the fundamentally undemocratic nature of the U.S. state and allows governing elites to blame “the people” for problems elites have a disproportionate hand in creating.’</p>
<p><a href="https://shelterforce.org/2026/05/06/stalled-in-state-houses-tenant-unions-organize-against-landlords-directly/" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">RENT STRIKES, TARGETING TAX BREAKS, AND DATA: TENANT ORGANIZING BEYOND LEGISLATIVE CAMPAIGNS</a> Shelterforce</p>
</blockquote>
<p>Antidote du jour (<a href="https://x.com/CatWorkers/status/2056465032561447104/photo/1" target="_blank" rel="nofollow">via</a>):</p>
<p><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="aligncenter size-large wp-image-310676" src="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/05/Screenshot-2026-05-21-at-5.05.17 PM-928x1024.png" alt="" width="544" height="600"/></p>
<p>See yesterday’s Links and Antidote du Jour <a href="https://www.nakedcapitalism.com/2026/05/links-5-21-2026.html">here</a>.</p>
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