Dozens of migrants drown off the coast of Syria

Illegal migration has increased from Lebanon since the country’s financial crisis began in 2019. [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following Dozens of migrants drown off the coast of Syria [Palestinian rescue team stand on a Lebanese shore, as they wait to receive from the Syrian Red Crescent several victims of those who were on a boat carrying migrants from Lebanon that sank in Syrian waters, at Arida border crossing point between Lebanon and Syria, north Lebanon, Sept. 23, 2022.] Credit: Bilal Hussein/AP Lebanon At least 73 migrants have drowned after their boat sank off the coast of Syria. The vessel had departed from Lebanon, and the incident is being called the [deadliest such shipwreck]( from the country in recent years. At least 20 people were rescued from the wreckage. Illegal migration has increased from Lebanon since the country’s financial crisis began in 2019, with Lebanese people fleeing along with [Palestinian and Syrian refugees](. Hong Kong Hong Kong is set to end its controversial mandatory COVID-19 [hotel quarantine policy]( for travelers starting on Monday. The decision comes more than 2 1/2 years after it was first implemented, and is a welcome move for residents and businesses. Travelers will also no longer have to present a negative COVID-19 test to board a plane to the financial district, but will have to monitor themselves for three days for any [possible infection](. Hong Kong has followed China's strict zero-COVID policies. China A man in China who was seen in a video in June assaulting four women at a restaurant has been [sentenced to 24 years]( in prison for his leading role in the incident and for being part of a criminal gang. Chen Jizhi was found guilty by a local court in Hebei province, along with four other defendants. Another 27 people were also given prison terms — ranging from six months to 11 years — for [gang-related crimes]( that date back to 2012, including robbery, running a casino and illegal detention. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [A new Roma radio station gets people talking about taboo issues in Hungary]( [Roma radio presenter Szandi Minzari and co-host Melanie Nagy are both divorced, single mothers who speak about taboo issues in Hungary's Roma community.]( Credit: Orla Barry/The World The Roma are Hungary’s largest ethnic minority, making up close to 10% of the population. Radio Dikh, a new radio station, aims to [change perceptions]( of the Roma community in Hungary, where they have faced decades of stigma and discrimination. [With Queen Elizabeth II's passing, royal memorabilia expected to increase in value]( [Postcards and various memorabilia, which are related to Queen Elizabeth II, are on display at the souvenir shop House of Men in Hong Kong, Sept. 10, 2022.]( Credit: Alice Fung/AP Demand for royal memorabilia has skyrocketed since the queen’s death in the United Kingdom. The [biggest sellers]( over the last few weeks have been items commemorating the queen’s Platinum Jubilee, which was celebrated in June to mark her 70 years on the throne. --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot Dutch-born cyclist Rien Schuurhuis will be the first to [represent the Vatican]( at the cycling world championships in Wollongong, Australia. The International Cycling Union recognized the Holy See as its 200th member last year. “This is a great first step in the direction of what the pope believes in achieving through sports (with) inclusiveness and fraternity,” Schuurhuis said. 🚲 [Dutch-born cyclist Rien Schuurhuis, center, poses with his team in front of St. Peter's Basilica at The Vatican, in this undated photo made available on Sept. 22, 2022.] Credit: Ivan Sommonte/Athletica Vaticana In case you missed it on The World --------------------------------------------------------------- Don't forget to subscribe to The World's Latest Edition podcast using your favorite podcast player: [RadioPublic](, [Apple Podcasts](, [Stitcher](, [Soundcloud](, [RSS]( [The World logo]( [The World on Facebook]( [The World's Twitter account]( [Donate]( | [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [Edit your subscription]( | [Unsubscribe]( | [View in your browser]( Top of the World is written weekday mornings by the team at [The World](. [The World]( is produced by [PRX]( and [GBH](.