Genuinely thought this was The Onion.

‘I wished for death’: Sexual violence in Israel’s prisons is an ‘organised state policy’ Palestinian testimonies reveal how sexual violence, including rape using objects and dogs, is approved by 'highest levels' of Israeli leadership

Amazing that damage to a crucifix is forcing Israel to do PR damage control while the systematic rape of prisoners *as policy* is not. [c/w details in this piece are *extremely* upsetting] www.middleeasteye.net/news/i-wishe...

Israeli forces have destroyed the shrine of Prophet Shimon the Just in the town of Shamaa in the Tyre district, according to official and local media reports.

www.middleeastmonitor.com/20260414-une...

Around the World in 80 Trains—A 45,000 Mile Adventure: Monisha Rajesh Published by Bloomsbury Publishing, 2019, 336 pages “Trains are rolling libraries of information, and all it takes is to reach out to passengers to bind together their tales.” Monisha Rajesh loves …

Monisha Rajesh circumnavigates the globe in 80 trains. Her travels take her through Europe, Asia, including North Korea, and North America. It is quite a trajectory and a real adventure!
@monisharajesh.bsky.social @bloomsburybooksuk.bsky.social
talkingaboutbookswomenstravel.review/2026/04/14/a...

Well exactly! And thank you so much.

Oh that’s so lovely, Nilam, thank you.

Thanks James!

THANK YOU to every one of my readers!!

Found out yesterday that Around the World in 80 Trains has sold almost 122,000 copies since it came out. At a time when non-fiction is taking a hit and book buying is slowing, I’ve never been more encouraged to carry on with the craft. Thank you again. 😍

A strategy ‘to make life intolerable’: Israeli settlers are driving Christians out of West Bank The Taybeh community has survived crusaders and the Ottoman and British empires, but the latest attacks leave its future in question

A strategy ‘to make life intolerable’: Israeli settlers are driving Christians out of West Bank

Moonlight Express By Monisha Rajesh

Looking for your next read? 📖
Look no further.
I’ve just finished this one and it’s brilliant!! 🙌

‘Moonlight Express
Around The World By Night Train’
By @monisharajesh.bsky.social

Head to @stanfordstravel.bsky.social for your copy and jump onboard!!

🚆🚄🚞💺🛤️🌍📚

A new mega series begins today from @empirepoduk.bsky.social
THE ARAB-ISRAELI WARS
Part One: Israel, Palestine, Suez & Closing The Straits of Tiran

Isfahan is a city with over 2,500 years of continuous history. The US and Israel are bombing one of the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the region. Over 2 million people live there.

I’ve only heard from my family once since the war began and this is their city, Isfahan, tonight. #Iran

“Deep concern“ means absolutely fuck all and they all know it. Lammy was deeply concerned two years ago but happily backed a genocide. Until there are sanctions and arrests Palestinians will continue to be exterminated.

The bill has been approved. Israeli prisons will turn into guillotines for Palestinians. Hundreds will be executed in the next few weeks. 9300 hostages now in Israeli custody. Dark day for humanity. Unforgettable memory in the Palestinian cause history.

Israel’s holocaust of Palestinians reached a horrific new low today. No different than trains heading to gas chambers. Shame on everyone silent about this.

Thanks!

How night trains are spearheading a new golden age of rail travel Award-winning rail writer Monisha Rajesh explains why night trains are once again capturing travellers' affections.

A six-minute Monday morning read: why sleeper trains are spearheading a new golden age of travel.
www.intrepidtravel.com/adventures/n...

Husband as we’re boarding a train for Easter hols instead of driving:
“You know, I think it’s so much better for the climate to get the train instead.”
Me: *stares in five books on railways*

Israel’s death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners moves to final vote Legislation initiated by far-right Otzma Yehudit party drew mounting criticism from opponents and rights groups as it moved through the Knesset Israel’s parliament has advanced a contentious bill to impose the death penalty on Palestinians convicted of terrorism to its final vote, after the Knesset’s national security committee approved the measure on Tuesday. The legislation, initiated by the far-right Otzma Yehudit party led by the national security minister, Itamar Ben-Gvir, has drawn sharp criticism from opponents who warn it would mark a significant escalation in Israel’s penal policy. Members of Otzma Yehudit have worn noose-shaped pins in support of the bill. Continue reading...

Israel’s death penalty bill for Palestinian prisoners moves to final vote

Cuba's mothers-to-be prepare to give birth in a country plunged into darkness Two pregnant women tell the BBC's Will Grant of their hopes and fears as their nation is mired in crisis.

I am struggling to understand the extremely muted international response to this. whatever you think of the regime, it is not the regime that is suffering.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Unsolicited writing advice, no. 21: There is no excuse for using gen. AI. None at all. If Jean-Dominique Bauby could write THE DIVING BELL AND THE BUTTERFLY using nothing but determination, brainwork and his eyelids, then you can manage without cheating.

‘There’s no ceasefire’: Gaza paramedic and father of two killed as civilian death toll since October passes 650 Despite the supposed end of the fighting last year, casualties in the territory continue to rise, with volunteer ambulance driver Abed Elrahman Hamdouna joining the long list of those killed by Israeli forces

‘There’s no ceasefire’: Gaza paramedic and father of two killed as civilian death toll since October passes 650

Oh how exciting! And thank you. I hope you find plenty of ideas in there for your trip.

Israel deliberately targeting medical facilities in south Lebanon, say health workers Medics and officials say there is systematic use of double-tap strikes in campaign to make the south uninhabitable

The same logic of ethnic cleansing used in Palestine is now being applied in Lebanon: Israel is deliberately targeting medical facilities in the south, say health workers. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/m...

Oh god I remember when Tatler Alan was beheaded. Separately I’ve had my sausage, Juno, out on a one-hour walk around two different parks and refuse to pee until we got home and she could go in the garden. Now exhausted but not too exhausted to expect a belly rub when I’m near.

I was dragged on a three-day hike I didn’t want to go on in La Reunion. Overheard my then bf bitching to other women outside our tent at how I couldn’t carry much and after two days we returned as I was in so much pain. Turned out I had a stress fracture in my hip. Will never forget his meanness

What Was Lost: A Queer Accounting of the NY Times Book Review, 2013-2022 “Goodbye, Pamela Paul,” was the headline of Andrea Long Chu’s now-iconic, recently ASME-nominated New York Magazine farewell to the former NY Times Book Review editor, when Paul left the paper two …

*taps internet microphone*

After months of work, a project i've been coordinating for @literaryhub.bsky.social in conjunction with @maris.bsky.social is now live ...

We've commissioned 13 reviews of books by LGBTQ folks not covered by the NYTBR under Pamela Paul ...

lithub.com/what-was-los...

The Rise of AI Is Making Life Even Harder for Real People in Gaza Gizmodo spoke with desperate Palestinians who were accused of being AI creations.

I spoke with people in Gaza who've been accused of being scammers or even AI.

Spoke tonight to 30 people in a small-town public library in the Thames Valley. Average age about 65. I talked about Gaza for 40min. Then they asked me questions for another hour. Ordinary offline folk are absolutely starved of information. They know they’re being let down. They’re desperate to know

Good on you Matthew.

Utterly broken by the brilliant Dunblane documentary and in awe of the strength of the parents to fight for the gun ban in the face of pushback. For ever in debt to them for keeping all of us safe for the last 30 years. RIP to all those little ones who didn’t get such a chance at life.