Rachel Savage

Every time you think anything related to Epstein can't get worse...

I say "protest" in inverted commas as "protestors" in Nigeria are often thugs hired by politicians/local big men. Although there isn't yet public proof (that I've seen, anyway), one can guess who might be behind the Benin museum protest.

Protesters target major new Nigerian museum embroiled in looted artefacts row Protest at Mowaa comes amid dispute over ownership of Benin bronzes looted by British colonial forces

The "protest" at the opening of the Museum of West African Art in Benin, Edo state looks bad for Nigeria.

The museum was meant to host returned Benin Bronzes, but now won't due to rivalry between the ex & former Edo governors. As a Nigerian friend said, "Who wants to return the Bronzes to us now?"

This is such a lame hit job on @meghamohan.bsky.social, who is an incredibly talented, sensitive, thoughtful journalist, unlike those at the Telegraph who wrote, edited and signed off on this.

Also, digging out an email sent in 2018? Extra lame.

Maybe Keir should demand the heads of major US news networks any time they imply Britain is on the brink of civil war or that we live under sharia law. Or does it not work both ways?

Tagging @mirandeee.bsky.social, so she can reply if she sees this. If you follow me I can DM

Whew this pulls absolutely no punches

A Sudanese massacre foretold: the grim familiarity of the RSF’s rampage through El Fasher Atrocities unfolding in El Fasher since it fell to paramilitary forces follow a bleak pattern seen in Rwanda, Liberia and Sudan itself, including lack of international action

Professor Alex de Waal quoted in a piece on the devastation of El Fasher, Sudan, at the hands of the paramilitary group RSF. @theguardian.com @rachelmsavage.bsky.social @elenamorresi.bsky.social @worldpeacefdtn.bsky.social

www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...

Not surprising, but still such a huge shame. Teen Vogue did really interesting journalism and their US politics coverage was great

"Stance" bikers like Percy and Lesedi from Sentech Croozers put frames on smaller wheels (these are 20 inch frames on 16 inch wheels) and add huge handlebars to make the bikes extra long and low slung. They're all self-taught too.

📸 James Oatway

‘You can do hard things!’ The young cycling enthusiasts reclaiming the streets of Johannesburg Bike culture, once seen as an elite hobby or a last resort for the poor, is flourishing in the post-apartheid City of Gold

I had a really fun day in Johannesburg recently hanging out with female cycling group Girls On Bikes and "stance" crew Sentech Croozers.

"It is a political statement to see people of colour on bikes, in suburbs."

Thanks Tomi, that makes sense. A lot of nuance, which of course is not Trump's forte. I think Nigeria's Middle Belt Christians have been a cause célèbre for America's Christian Right for a long time, so I imagine one of those got some time with him or one of his confidantes

And, correct me if I'm wrong, but in the "herder-farmer violence" I saw more violence targeted against communities because of their location as farmers, not because they were Christian.

Boko Haram seemed more of the exception than the rule, albeit a big one. Plus "bandits" attack Muslims too

Yes, there are so many layers to it. It sounded absolutely terrifying

A Sudanese massacre foretold: the grim familiarity of the RSF’s rampage through El Fasher Atrocities unfolding in El Fasher since it fell to paramilitary forces follow a bleak pattern seen in Rwanda, Liberia and Sudan itself, including lack of international action

A massacre foretold: the reports of atrocities that emerged from the Sudanese city of El Fasher after it fell to the paramilitary Rapid Support Forces last weekend followed a grimly familiar pattern.

"I don’t think that there can be a head of state or a foreign minister who wasn’t warned."

Was about to pack black tea for a trip to East Asia and then realised what I was doing & thought better of it.

I am painfully British but I will be drinking lots of delicious Oolong, Puer and Jasmine tea ☕🍵

Sudan’s RSF accused of ‘PR stunt’ after arresting fighters behind civilian killings Reports of indiscriminate violence and ethnic targeting in El Fasher has led to growing global outrage

Sudan's RSF has arrested Abu Lulu, who appeared in numerous videos killing unarmed civilians in El Fasher.

“However, many Sudanese did not buy into this and launched a hashtag: ‘You are all Abu Lulu’ – meaning the entire militia acts like him," said Mohamed Suliman, a Sudanese researcher

The Heritage Foundation created an entire program, Project Esther, to use antisemitism as a pretext to shut down US higher education. They are now defending a guy who has friendly chats with Holocaust deniers.

Never take these people seriously when they say they care about fighting antisemitism.

Obsessed with this 🐦‍⬛

*VAST. Although I'm sure there are a lot of casts in there too

Living through the horror of Hurricane Melissa

Today In Focus with our Caribbean Correspondent Natricia Duncan is a must listen.

Her bravery to keep reporting on Hurricane Melissa and the destruction it wrought on Jamaica, when she was also trying to keep her daughter & niece safe from the storm, is incredibly moving.

Egypt’s vast $1bn museum to open in Cairo after two-decade build Grand Egyptian Museum near Giza pyramids billed as world’s largest archaeological facility for single civilisation

Egypt's cast $1bn antiquities museum will finally open tomorrow, near the Pyramids of Giza, after two decades under construction.

That run chase by India, WOW! Just extraordinary 🥹

Defeating Australia! At home! The highest run chase in a cricket world cup knockout match, men or women! Onions all round.

The 10 minute version of All Too Well is pretty precise, but it does leave out any gory sexual details. Taylor usually cloaks the specifics, even if with just a veneer. Lily Allen does not.

For sure. I wonder if Matty Healy might buck that trend to reply to Taylor Swift at some point though...

Noah & the Whale's second album from 2009 is v bleak about his breakup with Laura Marling. It's mostly about his heartbreak rather than blaming her, although a bit does creep in

This is so grimly telling

Yesterday was painful. I had to switch off to focus on work, but I probably would have done so anyway as I can't bear to watch when wickets are tumbling 😂

Also England's collapse doesn't negate how outstanding Wolvaardt was. At one point the forecasts were for 260 and then she smashes out 169!

There are white jacarandas in Pretoria too! Never seen one in Joburg though

Hundreds reportedly killed at Sudanese hospital as evidence of RSF atrocities mounts Rapid Support Forces, which claimed control of El Fasher on Sunday, reportedly killed at least 460 people ‘in cold blood’

Sudan’s Rapid Support Forces killed hundreds of patients and staff inside a hospital in El Fasher, according to the World Health Organization and the Sudan Doctors Network.

“We’re not looking at small numbers, we’re looking at dozens and hundreds and, eventually, there will be thousands.”