Shelby Judge provides a critical response to Lena Linne's article on twenty-first-century myth writing, focusing on feminist adaptations of Greek myth. Judge highlights the literary trend of women writers adapting Greek myths with feminist aims, referencing works by authors such as Margaret Atwood, Ursula K. Le Guin, Madeline Miller, Pat Barker, and Daniel Mendelsohn. The response delves into the metageneric qualities of these texts and their commentary on Homeric epics, with a particular focus on the portrayal of Helen in Natalie Haynes's 'A Thousand Ships'. Judge also discusses the broader implications of this literary phenomenon and its significance in contemporary novelistic adaptations of Greek myth, inviting further academic research in this area.

Following the devastating 1966 earthquake in Tashkent, Uzbekistan, the city was rebuilt with a unique blend of socialist modernity and Uzbek heritage, known as 'Tashkent modernism'. Today, Uzbekistan is leveraging its cultural assets to position itself as a major global cultural player. The government-backed Art and Culture Development Foundation (ACDF) is spearheading efforts to preserve modernist architecture, aiming for UNESCO World Heritage Site status, and promoting Uzbek culture internationally. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, who succeeded the oppressive Islam Karimov, has introduced reforms to open the country to foreign investment and tourism, and foster a more liberal domestic environment. Despite criticisms of cultural initiatives benefiting the authorities rather than the people, the ACDF's projects, including international exhibitions and a new Centre for Contemporary Art, signal Uzbekistan's commitment to cultural development.

Mikheil Saakashvili, known as Misha, is leaving office after a decade as Georgia's president, leaving behind a legacy of both adoration and revulsion. His presidency was marked by authoritarian practices, but also significant improvements in Georgia's infrastructure, economy, and international standing. Despite his failures, including a war with Russia and embracing American neo-Conservatives, the author expresses a nostalgic admiration for Saakashvili's achievements and his impact on making Georgia feel like a modern country.