Fifty-three people are dead or missing after a migrant boat capsized in the Mediterranean Sea off the Libyan coast, the UN migration agency reported on Monday. The tragedy, which occurred north of Zuwara on Friday, left only two survivors. This incident is the latest in a string of deadly events on the central Mediterranean route, where hundreds of migrants and asylum seekers have already died this year, according to the International Organization for Migration.
The boat capsized, adding to the already high number of fatalities among those attempting to cross the Mediterranean. The IOM did not provide details on the cause of the capsizing or the nationalities of those on board. This incident underscores the dangers faced by migrants and asylum seekers seeking to reach Europe via the perilous sea route.
In other news, Ghanaian highlife music pioneer and guitarist Ebo Taylor passed away at the age of 90. His son, Kweku Taylor, announced the news on Sunday, describing his father as "a giant" and "a colossus of African music." Taylor, who was celebrated for his contributions to Ghanaian music, died a day after the launch of an Ebo Taylor music festival and exactly a month after his 90th birthday. He was considered a definitive force behind the highlife genre.
Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal were hit by another storm over the weekend, marking the third deadly storm to impact the Iberian peninsula in the past two weeks. Storm Marta brought further flooding and damage, following the devastation caused by Storms Kristin and Leonardo. Residents in areas like Ubrique, in Cadiz, Spain, were affected by the storms.
In France, the government is launching a campaign to encourage all 29-year-olds to have babies. The initiative is part of a 16-point plan aimed at boosting the country's fertility rate, which includes more free egg-freezing centers. Health officials hope to prevent future fertility problems by encouraging younger people to start families.
Finally, in Syria, the challenges of rebuilding Aleppo after years of war remain significant. Alhakam Shaar, who recently visited his hometown from Germany, chose to stay in his father's former office in Aleppo's Old City.
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