Book of the dayScience fiction booksReviewA widow finds herself in a sinister care home, in this meditation on ageing, trauma and identity from the author behind I’m Thinking of Ending Things Recently widowed, Penny is now living alone in the apartment she shared with her husband for many years. Her days seem longer than before, and her memory is not as reliable as it used to be. Her apartment, so familiar, seems alive with strange presences and Penny gradually becomes convinced that someone is watching her.

Global developmentWomen attempting to flee the country’s economic collapse are in desperate straits, stranded at borders and forced into sex work, say NGOs The family had nothing at home, says mother of six Luisa Hernández, 30, from Zulia state, Venezuela. “To see your children grow up without food, without anything, is unbearable. “Eating from rubbish bins to survive was no life, so we left. But, now with the pandemic, we are in limbo, we are stuck in Colombia, and hungry again.

Benin's train journey back in time Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share via Email A larger than life Frenchman has restored a 1920s train to carry guests between his small chain of hotels up and down Benin. Tim E White and Flora King climb aboard for a unique African journeyRead about Flora's journey and how to book the train here Mon 19 Sep 2011 08.

Subtle and startling … Ann Patchett. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The GuardianSubtle and startling … Ann Patchett. Photograph: Murdo Macleod/The GuardianBook of the dayFictionReviewAn adulterous affair brings two California families uneasily together in this story set over five decades Ann Patchett’s seventh novel begins in the early 1960s, at Beverly and Fix Keating’s christening party for their daughter Franny. An unexpected guest turns up, with a large bottle of gin in lieu of an invitation.

Soccer This article is more than 9 years oldIndian footballer dies of injuries after celebrating goal with somersaultsThis article is more than 9 years old Peter Biaksangzuala damaged spinal chord after somersaults Bethlehem Vengthlang will retire jersey No 21 in his honour A footballer has died of injuries he sustained after landing awkwardly while celebrating a goal during a state-level league match in India, the organisers of the Mizoram Premier League have announced.