AFP UK

A group of friends in Jardim Brasil, a neighbourhood in Sao Paulo, decorate the streets with the colours of the Brazilian flag ahead of the World Cup in Qatar.

Less violence, a lower cost of living, economic prospects and free medical care – sounds like the “dolce vita” for many Americans who have decided, in large numbers, to move to this new-found paradise: Portugal. For many, this small southern European country has become their new California. Jonathan Littman is one of these Americans, according to him: “it’s easy, I can get here in ten hours and I’m in a different world.”

Doha (AFP) – For the first time ever there will be women referees at a men’s World Cup finals. France’s Stephanie Frappart, Salima Mukansanga from Rwanda and Japan’s Yoshimi Yamashita are among the 36 match referees due to officiate a tournament surrounded by controversy, including criticism of the host nation’s record on women’s rights.

Prespes Lake (Albania) (AFP) – In mountains overlooking an azure lake in southeast Albania, wildlife experts are tracking the Balkan lynx as part of last-gasp efforts to save the species from extinction. This critically endangered wild cat has fewer than 40 species left in the wild, according to a 2021 regional survey, threatened by deforestation and poaching.

Náxos (Greece) (AFP) – On the island of Naxos, volunteers for the marine protection organisation, Aegean Rebreath, recover old tyres, chairs and even telephones from the bottom of the Aegean Sea. “More than a tonne of marine litter has been collected,” according to the organisation’s founder, George Sarelakos, who claims “this has breathed new life into the seabed.”

Milan (AFP) – Last Generation climate activists throw eight kilos of flour on a car painted by pop art icon Andy Warhol in an exhibition in Milan, to raise the alarm on climate change, before being tackled and detained by security. Immediately afterwards, two of them glued themselves to the car windows, while the rest of the group blew up paint balloons on the ground.

Minsk (AFP) – Belarus’s autocratic president, Alexander Lukashenko, mocks the international fast food chain McDonald’s after their decision to leave on account of the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian conflict. The restaurant’s are to be replaced by a Russian franchise. “Thank God it’s leaving,” Lukashenko says during a meeting with representatives of the country’s agricultural sector. “Who would want to eat that, my god,” he adds.

Accra (AFP) – “I acknowledge our economy is facing difficulties and the people of Ghana are enduring hardships”, says Ghanaian Finance Minister Kenneth Ofori-Atta, who faces an enquiry from lawmakers over his financial management as the government comes under increasing pressure over the country’s economic woes.

Kherson (Ukraine) (AFP) – Ukrainian tanks head to Kherson following its liberation November 11 after an 8-month long Russian occupation, which left much of the city mined and in ruins. Shelling from across the Dnipro river, where Russia’s forces retreated to, leaves many buildings in the regional capital smouldering from the strikes.

Hamburg (United States) (AFP) – Lightning flashes as heavy snow coats roads and houses in upstate New York and Fort Erie, Canada, as weather forecasters predict “major to extreme impacts” in the area from up to four feet of snow in the coming days.

Bangkok (AFP) – President Emmanuel Macron describes current world order as “a jungle”, posing the US and China as “two big elephants, trying to become more and more nervous”. Speaking at the APEC summit in Thailand, the French leader urges the “cooperation of a lot of other animals” and calls for a single world order.

Bangkok (AFP) – French President Emmanuel Macron urges Asian countries to join the “increasing consensus” against the conflict in Ukraine, telling them the war is “your problem” too.