FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar

The Gulf country has spent more than $200 billion on preparations for the event [Forward to a friend]( | [Subscribe]( | [View in your browser]( [Top of The World]( --------------------------------------------------------------- What The World is following FIFA World Cup kicks off in Qatar [A giant inflatable copy of the trophy is displayed prior to the start of the World Cup group A soccer match between Qatar and Ecuador at the Al Bayt Stadium in Al Khor, Qatar, Nov. 20, 2022.] Credit: Darko Bandic/AP Qatar The 2022 FIFA World Cup kicked off in Qatar on Sunday. It started with a [seven-act opening ceremony](, ahead of the match between the host country and Ecuador. “We have exerted all efforts and invested for the good of all humanity," the nation’s leader, Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, stated. Qatar has faced many controversies since it won the bid to host the event 12 years ago, including criticism over the conditions for the hundreds of thousands of migrant workers who have built infrastructure projects and the treatment of the LGBTQ community. The country has spent [more than $200 billion]( on preparations for the event — the first World Cup to be hosted by a Middle Eastern country, including the building of seven new stadiums. Indonesia At least 61 people have died in Indonesia, and hundreds of others were injured, after a [5.6-magnitude earthquake]( in the West Java province. Homes and schools collapsed, and many people are still believed to be [trapped under the rubble](. The epicenter of the quake struck is densely populated and prone to landslides. Ambulances are struggling to reach victims, and the government has put up tents outside a damaged hospital to treat the injured. United Kingdom Seventy years after Britain detonated a [nuclear bomb in the Indian Ocean](, the veterans who took part in the program will be given medals. They had even campaigned for years for recognition, and on Monday, the UK government announced it will hand out the Nuclear Test Medal. Many of them have health problems that they believe are a result of [exposure to radiation](. Operation Hurricane off Western Australia that detonated a plutonium implosion device made Britain the world’s third nuclear-armed nation, after the US and Russia. --------------------------------------------------------------- From The World [Uruguayan musician Jorge Drexler wins big at Latin Grammy Awards]( [Jorge Drexler poses in the press room with his Grammys at the 23rd annual Latin Grammy Awards at the Mandalay Bay Michelob Ultra Arena in Las Vegas, Nov. 17, 2022.]( Credit: John Locher/AP Singer and songwriter Jorge Drexler, from Uruguay, took home the most trophies at the Latin Grammy Awards ceremony in Las Vegas, Nevada, on Thursday, including two of the most coveted prizes for [record and song of the year](. Like many artists and musicians, Drexler used his time during the COVID-19 pandemic to get creative. [North Korea-Russia relations are warming up amid war in Ukraine]( [Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, and North Korea's leader Kim Jong-un shake hands during their meeting in Vladivostok, Russia, April 25, 2019.]( Credit: Alexander Zemlianichenko/AP pool/File photo Russia’s relationship with North Korea [goes back decades](. Now, there are reports that Russia is getting military assistance from North Korea amid the war in Ukraine, though both governments deny it. Can we count on you to support our newsroom? Our coverage reaches millions of people each week, but only a small fraction of listeners — less than 1% — contribute to help sustain our program. We need your help to unlock our $67,000 match. Will you join our growing list of supporters to help continue our in-depth international news coverage by [donating today](? --------------------------------------------------------------- Bright spot After 140 years, researchers have spotted the [black-naped pheasant-pigeon]( for the second time ever in Papua New Guinea. The bird has black and orange feathers and red eyes and was last observed in 1882. 🐦 The team that arrived in September to search for the critically endangered bird, which only exists on Fergusson Island, included the Papua New Guinea National Museum, Cornell Lab of Ornithology and American Bird Conservancy. [Screenshot of USA Today tweet]( Credit: Twitter 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](.