OpenVerse co-hosts Manila leg of TON Society’s Hackers League Bootcamp
Squid Game season 2 probes the true nature of man — and gets closer than you’d thinkNoneHowever, some state workers failed to return to their jobs and a United Nations official said the country’s public sector had come “to a complete and abrupt halt”. Meanwhile, streams of refugees crossed back into Syria from neighbouring countries, hoping for a more peaceful future and looking for relatives who disappeared during Mr Assad’s brutal rule. There were already signs of the difficulties ahead for the rebel alliance now in control of much of the country. The alliance is led by a former senior al-Qaida militant, who severed ties with the extremist group years ago and has promised representative government and religious tolerance. The rebel command said they would not tell women how to dress. “It is strictly forbidden to interfere with women’s dress or impose any request related to their clothing or appearance, including requests for modesty,” the command said in a statement on social media. Nearly two days after rebels entered the capital, some key government services had shut down after state workers ignored calls to go back to their jobs, the UN official said, causing issues at airports and borders and slowing the flow of humanitarian aid. Rebel leader Ahmad al-Sharaa, who was known by his nom de guerre Abu Mohammed al-Golani, also met with Prime Minister Mohammad Ghazi Jalali for the first time. Mr Jalali stayed in Syria when Mr Assad fled and has sought to project normalcy since. “We are working so that the transitional period is quick and smooth,” he told Sky News Arabia TV on Monday, saying the security situation had already improved from the day before. At the court of Justice in Damascus, which was stormed by the rebels to free detainees, Judge Khitam Haddad, an aide to the justice minister in the outgoing government, said that judges were ready to resume work quickly. “We want to give everyone their rights,” Mr Haddad said outside the courthouse. “We want to build a new Syria and to keep the work, but with new methods.” But a UN official said some government services had been paralysed as worried state employees stayed at home. The public sector “has just come to a complete and abrupt halt,” said Adam Abdelmoula, UN resident and humanitarian co-ordinator for Syria, noting, for example, that an aid flight carrying urgently needed medical supplies had been put on hold after aviation employees abandoned their jobs. “This is a country that has had one government for 53 years and then suddenly all of those who have been demonised by the public media are now in charge in the nation’s capital,” Mr Abdelmoula told The Associated Press. “I think it will take a couple of days and a lot of assurance on the part of the armed groups for these people to return to work again.” In a video shared on a rebel messaging channel, Mr al-Sharaa said: “You will see there are skills” among the rebels. The Kremlin said Russia has granted political asylum to Mr Assad, a decision made by President Vladimir Putin. Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov declined to comment on Mr Assad’s specific whereabouts and said Mr Putin did not plan to meet with him. Damascus was quiet Monday, with life slowly returning to normal, though most shops and public institutions were closed. In public squares, some people were still celebrating. Civilian traffic resumed, but there was no public transport. Long lines formed in front of bakeries and other food stores. There was little sign of any security presence though in some areas, small groups of armed men were stationed in the streets.Support Independent Arts Journalism As an independent publication, we rely on readers like you to fund our journalism. If you value our coverage and want to support more of it, consider becoming a member today . Already a member? Sign in here. Support Hyperallergic’s independent arts journalism for as little as $8 per month. Become a Member ALBUQUERQUE — Where is the artist’s voice in the museum? This question, posed during an artist roundtable on opening weekend of the exhibition Broken Boxes: A Decade of Art, Action, and Dialogue , is answered in part by the exhibition itself. For the past 10 years, Broken Boxes Podcast has been transmitting ideas between artists thanks to its creator, Ginger Dunnill, who also co-curated Broken Boxes . The show features large-scale artworks, installations, videos, and performances by 23 artists — many of whom are friends with each other and with Dunnill. All have contributed to the podcast, which covers topics such as mental and physical health, Indigenous sovereignty, settler colonialism, migration, and navigating the commercial art market. Directional speakers located throughout the exhibition space play excerpts of podcast episodes, creating an ambient soundtrack for the show; visitors can listen while in proximity to works by the artists whose voices they are hearing. One of those voices is that of Autumn Chacon, a Diné and Chicana sound artist and activist. Her installation, “Between Our Mother’s Voice and Our Father’s Ear” (2016), is a durational, unlicensed radio broadcast that incorporates sounds from the exhibition mixed with field recordings and excerpts from the Broken Boxes Podcast. Chacon, who uses sound art as a form of resistance, turned her focus to breaking down ownership and forced regulations after working in licensed broadcasting. In Broken Boxes , some of her ideas about the power of occupying airwaves — for example, the fact that speech is a vibration that cannot be undone — are made visible by a feather microphone with its cable running the length of a central gallery wall in a wave pattern. Get the latest art news, reviews and opinions from Hyperallergic. Daily Weekly Opportunities Sound as a catalyst for personal and collective transformation makes an appearance in other works as well, including Marie Watt’s grouping of tangible, touchable jingle clouds, and Guadalupe Maravilla’s mixed media sculpture “Disease Thrower #17” (2021), set against the backdrop of the artist’s “Tripa Chuca (mural)” (2024). The installation comprises three towering figurative metal rod sculptures with hexagonal upper and lower portions that frame gongs, accented with fibrous materials like wood, cotton, and loofah. Maravilla’s practice, rooted in activism and healing, is informed by his experiences with stage III colon cancer and references his experiences migrating from El Salvador to the US as a child because of the Salvadoran Civil War. The artist ritually retraced that route, gathering objects that he incorporated into “Disease Thrower #17,” which he activates as healing portals during sound bath ceremonies. Additional sites of vocalized or otherwise audible transformation are present in Black Belt Eagle Scout’s music videos “Spaces” (2023) and “My Blood Runs Through this Land” (2023), and Joy Harjo’s short film “A Map to the Next World” (2023). The generative potential of connection to the land and material changes are evident in Christine Sandoval’s “Ignition Pattern” drawings, made from fire, water, soot, and fiber, and in Ryan Dennis’s Ma’s House (2020), for which the artist transformed his family home into a communal art space. Since seeing the show, I’ve been thinking especially about two works. In “Original Fragment of the Lost Girls Treasure Map” (2024), Amaryllis R. Flowers depicts a sugary sweet, pastel-colored topographical map replete with mountains, fields, and streams, populated with processions of disembodied legs and high-heeled feet making their way through glittered puffy paint, gemstones, and other craft materials. Good Girl Swamps, a murky body of water just a stone’s throw from Behavior Islands, lies sandwiched between the Astral Plane and Shadowlands, and surrounded by Unchartered Waters, Fringes of (Inner) Hell, Princess Portal, and Foundation of Proof. I listened to the projected recording of Flowers discuss the relationship between fantasy and trauma in her work, and describe a time in her life when art was no longer her anchor but rather her terror. She had endured a psychotic break induced by, among other things, graduating from Yale and the mounting pressures and turbulence of being a “successful” artist following her graduation from Yale’s prominent MFA program. “Acts of imagination under unbearable living conditions help us to evolve,” she says. Transgender artist Cassils alludes to such conditions in their work, “The Resilience of the 20%” (2016), as well. The title points to an increase of 20% in the murder rate of trans people worldwide in 2012 from previous years. Installed in Broken Boxes is a nearly two ton bronze cast of the clay slab that the artist, who incorporates bodybuilding into their practice, bashed during their performance “Becoming an Image” (not part of the show). Broken Boxes: A Decade of Art, Action, and Dialogue amplifies artists’ voices in ways that are at odds with the narratives propagated by much of the mainstream art world. Here, artists share stories about their lives and experiences instead of relying solely on institutional didactics to “explain” what their work is about; they ask for help and encourage others to do the same; they engage in slow looking and listening; they push back, create change, and break free. They do indeed speak truth to power. Actions like these and projects like Broken Boxes are vital, and not just in a time when our constitutional rights and fundamental freedoms are on the chopping block. Words have power, and there is still so much more to say. Broken Boxes: A Decade of Art, Action, and Dialogue continues at the Albuquerque Museum (2000 Mountain Road Northwest, Albuquerque, New Mexico) through March 2, 2025. The exhibition was curated by Ginger Dunnill and Josie Lopez. We hope you enjoyed this article! Before you keep reading, please consider supporting Hyperallergic ’s journalism during a time when independent, critical reporting is increasingly scarce. Unlike many in the art world, we are not beholden to large corporations or billionaires. Our journalism is funded by readers like you , ensuring integrity and independence in our coverage. We strive to offer trustworthy perspectives on everything from art history to contemporary art. We spotlight artist-led social movements, uncover overlooked stories, and challenge established norms to make art more inclusive and accessible. With your support, we can continue to provide global coverage without the elitism often found in art journalism. If you can, please join us as a member today . Millions rely on Hyperallergic for free, reliable information. By becoming a member, you help keep our journalism free, independent, and accessible to all. Thank you for reading. Share Copied to clipboard Mail Bluesky Threads LinkedIn Facebook
‘He brought an aura like no other’ – Tyrone GAA mourns death of legendary player and coach who leaves behind huge legacy
Jaland Lowe flirted with a triple-double as Pitt improved to 6-0 with a 74-63 win over LSU on Friday afternoon at the Greenbrier Tip-Off in White Sulphur Springs, W.Va. Lowe finished with a game-high 22 points to go along with eight rebounds and six assists for the Panthers, who have won their first six games of a season for the first time since the 2018-19 campaign. It would have been the second straight triple-double for Lowe, who had 11 points, 10 rebounds and 10 assists against VMI Monday. Ishmael Leggett chipped in 21 points and Cameron Corhen supplied 14, helping Pitt outshoot the Tigers (4-1) 44.4 percent to 37.3 percent overall. Vyctorius Miller and Jalen Reed recorded 14 points apiece for LSU, with Reed also snatching seven boards. Cam Carter contributed 11 points. Pitt took control in the first four-plus minutes of the second half, opening the period on a 13-0 run to build a 40-28 lead. The Tigers were held scoreless following the break until Carter converted a layup with 13:13 to go. It was still a 12-point game after Zack Austin hit a pair of free throws with 12:50 remaining, but LSU then rallied. Corey Chest, Reed and Jordan Sears each had a bucket down low for the Tigers during an 8-1 spurt that made it 43-38. However, Lowe stemmed the tide, answering with back-to-back 3-pointers to put the Panthers up 49-38 with 9:31 left. Miller did everything he could to keep LSU in contention, scoring eight points in a span of 1 minute, 23 seconds, with his four-point play getting the Tigers within 56-52 with 6:03 to play. But Pitt never let LSU get the upper hand, and it led by at least six for the final 5:05 of the contest. The Tigers had a 28-27 edge at intermission after ending the first half on an 8-2 run. LSU overcame a quick start by the Panthers, who raced out to a 12-6 advantage and led by as many as eight in the first 20 minutes of action. --Field Level MediaMore funds to support steel workers and businesses
Manmohan Singh, the former Indian prime minister whose economic reforms made his country a global powerhouse, has died at the age of 92, current leader Narendra Modi said Thursday. India "mourns the loss of one of its most distinguished leaders," Modi posted on social media platform X shortly after news broke of Singh's passing. "As our Prime Minister, he made extensive efforts to improve people's lives." Singh was taken to a hospital in New Delhi after he lost consciousness at his home on Thursday, but could not be resuscitated and was pronounced dead at 9:51 pm local time, according to a statement by the All India Institute of Medical Sciences. Singh, who held office from 2004 to 2014, is credited with having overseen an economic boom in Asia's fourth-largest economy in his first term, although slowing growth in later years marred his second stint. "I have lost a mentor and guide," opposition Congress leader Rahul Gandhi said in a statement, adding that Singh had "led India with immense wisdom and integrity." "Millions of us who admired him will remember him with the utmost pride," said Gandhi, a scion of India's powerful Nehru-Gandhi dynasty and the most prominent challenger to Modi. Mallikarjun Kharge, leader of the opposition in parliament's upper house, said "India has lost a visionary statesman, a leader of unimpeachable integrity, and an economist of unparalleled stature." President Droupadi Murmu wrote on X that Singh will "always be remembered for his service to the nation, his unblemished political life and his utmost humility." Born in 1932 in the mud-house village of Gah in what is now Pakistan, Singh studied economics to find a way to eradicate poverty in India and never held elected office before taking the vast nation's top job. He won scholarships to attend both Cambridge, where he obtained a first in economics, and Oxford, where he completed his PhD. Singh worked in a string of senior civil posts, served as a central bank governor and also held various jobs with global agencies including the United Nations. He was tapped in 1991 by then Congress prime minister P.V. Narasimha Rao to reel India back from the worst financial crisis in its modern history. In his first term Singh steered the economy through a period of nine-percent growth, lending India the international clout it had long sought. He also sealed a landmark nuclear deal with the United States that he said would help India meet its growing energy needs. Known as "Mr Clean", Singh nonetheless saw his image tarnished during his decade-long tenure when a series of corruption cases became public. Several months before the 2014 elections, Singh said he would retire after the polls, with Sonia Gandhi's son Rahul earmarked to take his place if Congress won. But Congress crashed to its worst-ever result at that time as the Hindu-nationalist Bharatiya Janata Party, led by Modi, won in a landslide. Singh -- who said historians would be kinder to him than contemporary detractors -- became a vocal critic of Modi's economic policies, and more recently warned about the risks that rising communal tensions posed to India's democracy. bjt/mlmLynda Tabuya A complaint has been lodged at the Totogo Police Station in Suva regarding the circulation of an explicit video involving Lynda Tabuya. Police Chief of Operations ACP Livai Driu has confirmed this to FBC News. He said the case was being handled by the Cyber Crime Unit and was under investigation. The widely shared video on various platforms prompted Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka to dismiss Tabuya from her role as Minister for Women, Children, and Social Protection. Rabuka stated that her removal was in the best interest of the public Despite her removal from Cabinet, Tabuya retains her position as a Member of Parliament. However, calls for her resignation from Parliament have surfaced with critics citing the incident as damaging to public confidence. The People’s Alliance Party, of which Tabuya is a member has confirmed that she will face its Legal and Disciplinary Committee. The outcome of this internal party process may determine her political future. Tabuya, in a public statement, acknowledged the circulation of the video and its impact. While she has not commented on her future in Parliament, the controversy has added pressure to her political career. As investigations continue, the incident also raises broader questions about privacy, cyber security and the responsibilities of public figures.
President-elect Donald Trump was apparently smitten by Prince William after the pair sat down for a meeting in Paris this weekend. "He's a good-looking guy. He looked really, very handsome last night," Trump told the New York Post . The men sat down together on Saturday as foreign dignitaries flocked to Paris to celebrate the re-opening of the Notre-Dame Cathedral after a fire destroyed parts of the historic building in 2019. Even with Notre-Dame's beauty in his recent memory, Trump apparently couldn't take his eyes off the future King of England. "Some people look better in person? He looked great. He looked really nice, and I told him that," Trump told the paper. Trump and Prince William spent around two hours together at the UK Ambassador's Residence's Salon Jaune. The president-elect called their chat a "great talk." Their talk reportedly touched on some personal issues, including Kate Middleton's battle with cancer. She completed her treatments in September. Prince William's father, King Charles III, was also diagnosed with cancer and is continuing to receive treatments to fight the illness. "I asked him about his wife and he said she's doing well," Trump said. "And I asked him about his father and his father is fighting very hard, and he loves his father and he loves his wife, so it was sad." He said he and Prince William had a "great talk for half an hour, a little more than half an hour." "We had a great, great talk," Trump said. The president-elect has long been a fan of the royal family. During a visit with Queen Elizabeth II, Trump said he tried to convince the queen to tell him who her favorite US president or UK prime minister was but was unsuccessful. Trump said the Queen insisted that she "liked them all," but added that "many people have said I was her favorite president." In addition to lavishing praise on Prince William, Trump also complimented French President Emmanuel Macron for the restoration of Notre-Dame. "He's a good man, he did a good job," Trump said. "I told him: 'You have no idea how good a job you did' on that chapel. That's very hard to do. Painstaking'."CursorFitnessTreadmill.com Launches Online Store, Bringing Fitness Solutions to Every Home 12-20-2024 12:44 AM CET | Leisure, Entertainment, Miscellaneous Press release from: ABNewswire Image: https://www.abnewswire.com/uploads/fd1433817114f519713692dc5205c10a.jpg Cursor Fitness Treadmill, a new name in the fitness industry, is excited to announce the official launch of its online store, CursorFitnessTreadmill.com, dedicated to providing high-quality, space-saving treadmills tailored for modern lifestyles. The launch marks a significant step forward in making fitness more accessible and convenient for everyone, from beginners to seasoned athletes. Cursor Fitness Treadmill specializes in innovative treadmill solutions, including compact folding models and under-desk walking treadmills. These products are designed to meet the needs of todayu2019s busy individuals who want to stay active without leaving their homes. Each treadmill features advanced technology, whisper-quiet motors, and ergonomic designs to ensure users can achieve their fitness goals with ease and comfort. Our mission is to empower people to lead healthier lives by making fitness accessible right in their living spaces, said Tom Devon, Founder of Cursor Fitness Treadmill. We're proud to offer products that combine convenience, durability, and innovative features to meet the diverse needs of our customers. To celebrate its launch, Cursor Fitness Treadmill is offering exclusive discounts and free shipping on all orders for a limited time. Customers will also receive a complimentary workout guide to help them maximize their treadmill experience. Visit CursorFitnessTreadmill.com today to explore the full range of products and take the first step toward a healthier, more active lifestyle. About Cursor Fitness Treadmill Cursor Fitness Treadmill is committed to revolutionizing home fitness with high-quality treadmills designed for compact spaces and modern living. With an emphasis on convenience, technology, and exceptional customer service, Cursor Fitness Treadmill helps individuals achieve their wellness goals from the comfort of their own homes. Media Contact Company Name: Cursor Fitness Contact Person: Tom Devon Email:Send Email [ https://www.abnewswire.com/email_contact_us.php?pr=cursorfitnesstreadmillcom-launches-online-store-bringing-fitness-solutions-to-every-home ] Country: United States Website: http://cursorfitnesstreadmill.com This release was published on openPR.
A new study has demonstrated that a tiny bundle of optical fibers can continuously, accurately, and simultaneously measure six biomarkers of brain health, helping to prevent serious complications that can follow a traumatic brain injury. , a.k.a. fiber optics, uses pulses of light to transmit data along a bundle of thin strands of glass or plastic. It’s a technology that, more often than not, is closely associated with the internet, a means of achieving things like faster download and upload speeds and reduced latency. A new study led by Imperial College London (ICL) has used the technology to improve healthcare, particularly the diagnosis and treatment of dangerous swelling that can follow a . “Continuous and comprehensive brain monitoring is crucial for timely identification of changes or deterioration in brain function, enabling prompt intervention and personalized treatments,” said the researchers. “However, existing brain monitoring systems struggle to offer continuous and accurate monitoring of multiple brain biomarkers simultaneously.” Brain monitoring after a traumatic brain injury (TBI) is critical to patient care. After the initial injury, the brain swells, a delayed response known as a secondary injury. Swelling presses the soft brain tissue against the hard, inflexible skull, causing further damage. Secondary injury is the of hospital death. Unlike the initial injury, secondary brain injury can be mitigated by closely monitoring parameters such as EEG, intracranial pressure (ICP), cerebral blood flow, and brain oxygen levels. Separate devices are currently used to measure these parameters. For the present study, the researchers took advantage of technological advances to create a bundle of optical fiber sensors that simultaneously monitor six biomarkers that are indicative of brain health: temperature, pH, and concentrations of dissolved oxygen, glucose, sodium ions, and calcium ions. The biomarkers are measured using cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), the watery liquid that fills and surrounds the brain and spinal cord and provides nutrients, removes waste, and acts as a shock absorber for these delicate organs. The tips of six optical fibers were fitted with fluorescent sensors, which, by using a multi-wavelength laser, enabled the selective and continuous measurement of each of the biomarkers. A spare optical fiber was included in case it was needed for signal enhancement or a seventh biomarker. The fibers were bundled up into a 2.5-millimeter-thick (0.1-inch) catheter, which was initially inserted into animal brain models of TBI. Machine learning algorithms were used to decipher the incoming biomarker measurements. After demonstrating that the device could continuously and accurately measure the six biomarkers in animal brains, the researchers moved on to validating their findings using clinical human CSF samples. They obtained samples from 11 patients and used the optical fiber sensing system to measure the select biomarkers. “In the measurement of clinical human CSF samples, the multiplexed sensing system demonstrated high sensing precision for the continuous measurement of multiple biomarkers simultaneously with high selectivity and stability,” the researchers said. “Therefore, we conclude that the sensing system, coupled with intelligent algorithms, possesses great potential in the multiplexed monitoring of deep brain biomarkers for TBI treatment.” The device is not limited to only measuring six biomarkers, though. “In the current design, the system is developed for the monitoring of six biomarkers simultaneously with one spare fiber to accommodate a seventh biomarker,” said the researchers. “However, it is not the maximum capacity of the system. With careful optimization of the connector and individual fiber dimensions, it has the potential to measure more than 10 biomarkers concurrently. Achieving this would require additional lasers with varying wavelengths to efficiently excite all of the sensors.” And the researchers say the sensing device could be used in other situations. “The device also holds potential to be utilized with other modalities,” they said. “The device’s optical fiber-based design offers full compatibility with magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), making it suitable for use in MR-guided surgeries with long-distance fibers and remote monitoring capabilities. It could also be integrated with drug delivery systems, utilizing hollow fibers to directly measure responses to pharmacological interventions. Further studies are necessary to assess the performance of the sensing system in diverse environments to fully explore its potential in multiplexed sensing and beyond.” The researchers said that the probe’s small size and its being made from soft, highly biocompatible materials reduce the risk of it damaging brain tissue and prompting an inflammatory response, making it suitable for long-term implantation. However, the biocompatibility of the system needs to be evaluated over extended periods. “The system is minimally invasive, multiplexed, sensitive, selective, robust, and fully reversible and suitable for long-term applications,” the researchers concluded. “It holds great promise for precise and continuous monitoring of deep brain physiology, aiding in pathological identification and clinical guidance in various clinical cases, including but not limited to brain injury, ischemic or hemorrhagic stroke, and brain tumor resection.” The study was published in the journal . Source:None
VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — Valparaiso hired longtime Marietta coach Andy Waddle as its new football coach, athletic director Laurel Hosmer announced Monday. Read this article for free: Already have an account? To continue reading, please subscribe: * VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — Valparaiso hired longtime Marietta coach Andy Waddle as its new football coach, athletic director Laurel Hosmer announced Monday. Read unlimited articles for free today: Already have an account? VALPARAISO, Ind. (AP) — Valparaiso hired longtime Marietta coach Andy Waddle as its new football coach, athletic director Laurel Hosmer announced Monday. Waddle is scheduled to be formally introduced on campus Wednesday. He spent the last 12 seasons turning around the Division III program located in Southeastern Ohio. There, he went 55-61 after inheriting a winless team. He led the Pioneers to their first 8-0 start last season and matched the 1920 squad’s school record with a 13-game winning streak that started in 2023. In 2024, Marietta made its first postseason appearance since 1973. Waddle went 16-5 over the past two seasons and produced seven winning records over the last eight seasons. The Pioneers had only two winning seasons in the previous 20 years. “I think there is a great group of young men on the (Valparaiso) roster, and we’re excited to invest in those student-athletes and continue to add more high-quality people and football players to the program,” Waddle said of the program located in Indiana’s northwest corner. “I think Valpo is not only an outstanding fit for me professionally, but also an outstanding fit for me and my family.” Waddle spent eight seasons working with the defense as an assistant for his alma mater, Wittenberg, where he was an all-conference defensive back. He also has coached at Mansfield University in Pennsylvania and at Maryville College in Tennessee. “His experience building success and winning culture as a head coach, passion for developing student-athletes on and off the field and high character made it clear he was the right leader for our football program,” Hosmer said in a statement. The move comes two weeks after Hosmer announced the school would not give Landon Fox a contract extension after his deal expired. Fox was 21-42 in six seasons at Valparaiso. ___ Get poll alerts and updates on the AP Top 25 throughout the season. Sign up here. AP college football: https://apnews.com/hub/ap-top-25-college-football-poll and https://apnews.com/hub/college-football Advertisement
It was a warm Monday morning in September when a group of fishermen came across a wooden canoe packed with dead migrants floating 43 miles from Senegal’s capital . The migrants, whose bodies were in an “advanced state of decomposition”, are believed to have been making the treacherous 1,250 mile-long journey from to the Spanish off the coast of north-west Africa. It was not the first ghost boat to be discovered by fishermen, with more and more desperate migrants cramming on to rickety wooden boats that often fall apart or are blown across the Atlantic before reaching their destination. Despite knowing the risks, which include death by starvation, dehydration, and drowning, thousands of migrants from Senegal brave the journey every year, and there are no signs of the route slowing down, unlike most other migration journeys in Europe. Migration crossings through the west decreased by one per cent in the first nine months of the year, while the central Mediterranean saw journeys plummet by 64 per cent. But the West African route has surged 100 per cent this year, figures show, bucking a wider trend. Ousmane* made the week-long journey from Senegal to the Canary Islands on a rickety wooden boat surrounded by lifeless bodies fearing he would be the next to die. “Women cry and cry, and so do the men, just because it is so hard to be in the bottom of the boat, surrounded by death. Sometimes you even lose your memory and black out,” Ousmane told The Telegraph. The young man, who would not reveal his name or age, completed his journey, but fellow passengers weren’t so lucky. The death toll along the migration route has surpassed more than 800 this year, a 76 per cent increase compared with the same period last year. The real death toll is likely to be even higher, authorities fear. On some journeys, none of the migrants makes it to their destination alive. At least 30 bodies were found on that boat off the coast of Senegal in September, according to military authorities. Judging by the decomposed state of the bodies, the migrant boat had likely been adrift on the Atlantic Ocean for several days before it was found. Similarly, the bodies of 24 migrants from sub-Saharan Africa were brought to land by Spain’s at the start of August. Two of those who died were children. The route has become a major talking point in Senegal, the Canary Islands and mainland Spain. One migrant who made the journey in a small fishing boat told The Telegraph emotionally: “The number of people that are dying – there are thousands of people losing their lives on the way. Some boats never reach their destination.” The reasons for the surge are complex, according to Inhira García Belda, who works as a social integrator for asylum seekers in Tenerife, the largest of Spain’s Canary Islands. “We are talking about thousands of people, some of them are looking for a better job in Europe, others are asylum seekers ... fleeing due to Macky Sall’s regime,” she said. Poverty is a major factor driving people out of Senegal, according to Douglas Yates, an associate professor who specialises in African politics at the American Graduate School in Paris. “A typical Senegalese person eats rice, and if they can get it, a little fish. That’s it... so this kind of poverty, which has been around for ever, is driving people away. There are no real jobs or opportunities,” he told The Telegraph. Mr Yates pointed out that a large proportion of Senegalese migrants making the journey are young men, who are prone to being influenced on social media. “Everybody there has a phone, so they see the rich world, and they look at their own situation and see there are no opportunities. They also see Senegalese people, especially in the capital, getting rich.” He explained that , who was president of Senegal until March of this year, had promised to “jumpstart” the country’s economy, but for many people, their economic situation worsened – especially after Covid. Oumar*, who also made the journey from Senegal to the Canary Islands this year, did so for this reason. “I decided to take the leap because life in Senegal is very, very hard. There’s no work, there’s nothing,” he told The Telegraph. The Canary Islands have become the favoured destination for migrants, and therefore smugglers, because it is seen as an entry point into Europe, given the Canary Islands’ status as a Spanish autonomous community. “Spain might not be the final destination,” Ms Belda explains, “but it is the closest European country to the west African coast... they are unable to reach the continent by plane due to visa rejections so the only way to get there is by boat.” It is not always what migrants expect either, one Senegalese national told The Telegraph. “The journey was so risky and dangerous, it can’t even be described. The sea was so rough that the captain wanted to return, but others wanted to continue, so a fight broke out,” they explained. “No matter your situation, it is not worth making this deadly journey because not everyone makes it.” Senegal’s government announced a 10-year plan in August to tackle illegal crossings and the surge in migrant deaths. It has also become a political football between the Spanish government and authorities in the Canary Islands, which saw 40,000 illegal crossings in 2023, the highest for three decades. Fernando Clavijo, president of the Canary Islands, has called on , the Spanish prime minister, to do more to resolve the crisis. “Every 45 minutes, a migrant dies trying to reach our beaches. This means trafficking mafias are increasingly becoming more powerful,” he said. Earlier this summer Mr Sánchez ended a tour of Africa in Senegal, announcing a plan to tackle illegal immigration at a press conference alongside , who replaced Mr Sall in April of this year. “This region is of the utmost strategic importance for Spain, and we want to contribute to its stability and prosperity,” Mr Sánchez insisted. But as Mr Yates explained, these sort of complex political agreements “take time” to come into effect, and there are no signs that the deep-rooted economic issues causing poverty in Senegal will abate under the new regime. “They have a development plan but it’s not going to increase Senegal’s GDP,” Mr Yates said. “Senegal can create rich people but it doesn’t make anything... instead they’re doing this kind of symbolism stuff, like anti-colonialism. It’s just rhetoric.” All this means the number of migrants making the treacherous journey to the Canary Islands is unlikely to fall anytime soon. Moussa*, despite knowing what he knows about the danger surrounding the journey, still plans to make his way to the Canary Islands next year. “I want to work, integrate and to have a quiet, peaceful, stable life.” *More funds to support steel workers and businessesUnlock the Secrets of Successful Investing! Expert Tips Inside