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 died already this year, according to The Guardian.
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) confirmed the details of the capsizing. The boat overturned off the coast of Libya, a common departure point for migrants seeking to reach Europe. The IOM did not provide details on the cause of the capsizing.
In other news, Ghanaian highlife pioneer and guitarist Ebo Taylor passed away at the age of 90. His son, Kweku Taylor, announced the news on Sunday, calling his father "a colossus of African music." Taylor, who was considered a definitive force behind the highlife genre, died a day after the launch of the Ebo Taylor music festival and exactly a month after his 90th birthday, leaving behind an unmatched artistry legacy, according to The Guardian. Taylor was celebrated for his contributions to Ghanaian music, drawing comparisons to Fela Kuti's impact on Nigerian music.
Meanwhile, Spain and Portugal were hit by another storm over the weekend, marking the third deadly storm in two weeks. Storm Marta swept across the Iberian peninsula, following the damage caused by Storm Kristin and Storm Leonardo. Residents in the village of Ubrique, in Cadiz, Spain, were seen surveying flooded streets.
In other developments, the French government is launching a campaign to encourage all 29-year-old citizens to have babies. The initiative is part of a 16-point plan to boost the country's fertility rate, which also includes more free egg-freezing centers. Health officials hope to prevent future fertility problems by encouraging people to start families earlier, according to Sky News.
Finally, in Syria, the question of returning to Aleppo after years of war remains a complex issue. Alhakam Shaar, who recently visited his hometown from Germany, chose to stay in his father's former office in Aleppo's Old City. The article from Al Jazeera did not go into detail about the current status of the city.
Discussion
AI Experts & Community
Be the first to comment