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Humpday recommendations 10/05/2022

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Listen: “The Prince.” Much of the attention at China's big Communist Party gathering later this month will focus on Xi Jinping. Yet the most influential Chinese leader since Deng Xiaoping is still a black box in many ways. Want to learn more about Xi and what makes him tick? Check out this 8-episode podcast series by Sue-Lin Wong, China correspondent for The Economist. — Carlos

Watch. “Fauda.” Meaning “chaos” in Arabic, this gritty series focuses on an Israeli intel unit working against the backdrop of the Arab-Israeli conflict. The main character, Doron, comes out of retirement to tackle an enemy he once thought was dead … and chaos ensues. Doron and his crew drive home the personal and psychological toll of working in Israeli intelligence thanks to scenes filled with anger, love, violence, and loss. — Tracy

Listen: “The Waste Land,” by TS Eliot as read by Alec Guinness. I would listen to Alec Guinness read the warning label on a package of baking soda. Much better to hear him read the masterwork of a masterful poet. — Willis

Watch: “Hold Me Tight.” In this new film by French filmmaker Mathieu Amalric, Clarissa, a 40-something mum of two, wants to stay with her family so she ... runs away. Adapted from a play, this movie is about women’s grief. Clarissa is played by the pensive Vicky Krieps, one of my favorite actors. – Gabrielle

Kneel: Before Zod. I haven’t watched “Superman II” in probably 35 years but wow does it hold up well. This is the one where Superman gives up his powers in order to be with Lois Lane, just as the unflappably pitiless, leather-clad General Zod arrives with his goons to enslave the planet. Do you recall how it all ends? Lois Lane can’t remember a thing… (Btw, since I haven’t seen this film since I learned to read, I noticed for the first time that it was written by Godfather author Mario Puzo?!) — Alex

More For You

Another Polymarket ban
Will Fitzpatrick
Spain temporarily banned the US-based prediction markets Polymarket and Kalshi on Tuesday, as well as its rival Kalshi, arguing that they were operating without a gambling license. The ban will last three to four months, pending a review from the country’s gambling watchdog. The move comes as other bans against Polymarket, in particular, are [...]
French President Macron shaking hand with Norway's Prime Minister of the Kingdom Jonas Gahr Støre
The President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, receiving the Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Norway, Jonas Gahr Støre, at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, on May 27, 2026.
Quentin de Groeve / Hans Lucas via Reuters Connect
France to give Norway nuclear protectionWhen the sun shines, we’ll shine together — but when it doesn’t, you’ll have the protection of France’s nuclear arsenal. That, to adapt the classic Rihanna record, was the message from French President Emmanuel Macron to Norwegian Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre at a bilateral meeting in Paris on Wednesday. [...]
​Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, on April 21, 2026.

Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends a ceremony commemorating Israel’s Remembrance Day for fallen soldiers, or Yom HaZikaron, at the Military Cemetery on Mount Herzl in Jerusalem, on April 21, 2026.

ILIA YEFIMOVICH/Pool via REUTERS
The United States and Iran seem to be moving closer to a deal to end the war, recent skirmishing and mixed signals notwithstanding. If concluded – still a big if – this agreement would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, lift the US blockade, unfreeze Iran’s frozen assets (via Qatar), and extend the ceasefire – while kicking nuclear negotiations down the [...]
Iranian President Pezeshkian and Acting Minister of Defense Brigadier General Ebn-e-Reza during a meeting in Tehran.

May 26, 2026, Tehran, Iran: Iranian President MASOUD PEZESHKIAN (L) and Iranian Acting Minister of Defense Brigadier General MAJID EBN-E-REZA (R) during a meeting in Tehran.

Iranian Presidency via ZUMA Press
US-Iran: Is a deal still possible? The merry-go-round of negotiations between the two countries continues. The latest began on Saturday, when US President Donald Trump said an agreement was “largely negotiated,” before Iran poured cold water on this. The US military then hit Iranian missile launchers and boats suspected of dropping mines in the [...]