Copacabana Beach

From Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Acropolis to Copacabana beach, fireworks burst in skies above eerily deserted landmarks as the world ushered in the New Year with muted celebrations and said good riddance to a pandemic-ridden 2020.

A speeding car ploughed through evening strollers on a crowded sidewalk of Rio's famed Copacabana beach on Thursday in an apparent accident, killing an 8-month old baby and injuring 15 people, police said.

Parts of a mutilated body washed up on the sands of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, police said, just meters (yards) from where beach volleyball athletes will compete in the upcoming Olympics.

Rio police shot dead an alleged drug dealer overnight near Copacabana beach, which will host several Olympic contests this year in the heart of the city's tourist zone.

Pope Francis, in South America on a three-nation tour, will perform mass in Ecuador today, with more than a million faithful - many of whom camped out overnight - expected to attend.

Thousands of Brazilians took part Sunday in Rio de Janeiro's 19th Gay pride parade, speaking out against homophobia in a country that has seen years of violence targeting the gay community.

Usain Bolt clocked 10.06 seconds to beat Britain's Mark Lewis Francis (10.42) and Jefferson Liberato of Brazil (10.44) on the Copacabana beach track.

Jubilant Argentine fans honked car horns down the streets of Rio de Janeiro before the World Cup final on Sunday, prompting Brazilians to shout back their allegiance in this match: "Germany!"

Gabriel Herrera has set up a walk-up Argentine consular office out of a blue and white van parked along Rio's famed Copacabana Beach.

For those who think Rio's hotels seem a tad expensive at the World Cup, there are always alternatives - perhaps a room in a "love hotel" or in a "pacified" slum.

Brazilian police arrested on Sunday a fugitive who was on the run for his alleged part in the separate killings of two policemen in the Rio slums.

Rio de Janeiro, which will stage seven matches of the FIFA World Cup including the July 13 final, was the scene of angry protests and clashes between residents of a slum district a short walk from the popular Copacabana Beach and police.

More than 6.6 million people attended events with Pope Francis at the Vatican from his election in March to the end of 2013, figures released on Thursday showed, compared to 2.3 million for former Pope Benedict in all of 2012.

Rio's famed Copacabana beach, usually the venue for scantily-clad sun-seekers and revelry, became a massive Catholic campground on Sunday as Pope Francis concluded a youth festival by urging young people to go forth and build a new world.

Hundreds of thousands of young people who slept under chilly skies in the white sand of Copacabana beach are waking up in eager anticipation of Pope Francis' final Mass for World Youth Day.

From Sydney Harbour Bridge to the Acropolis to Copacabana beach, fireworks burst in skies above eerily deserted landmarks as the world ushered in the New Year with muted celebrations and said good riddance to a pandemic-ridden 2020.

A speeding car ploughed through evening strollers on a crowded sidewalk of Rio's famed Copacabana beach on Thursday in an apparent accident, killing an 8-month old baby and injuring 15 people, police said.

Parts of a mutilated body washed up on the sands of Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Wednesday, police said, just meters (yards) from where beach volleyball athletes will compete in the upcoming Olympics.

Rio police shot dead an alleged drug dealer overnight near Copacabana beach, which will host several Olympic contests this year in the heart of the city's tourist zone.

Pope Francis, in South America on a three-nation tour, will perform mass in Ecuador today, with more than a million faithful - many of whom camped out overnight - expected to attend.

Thousands of Brazilians took part Sunday in Rio de Janeiro's 19th Gay pride parade, speaking out against homophobia in a country that has seen years of violence targeting the gay community.

Usain Bolt clocked 10.06 seconds to beat Britain's Mark Lewis Francis (10.42) and Jefferson Liberato of Brazil (10.44) on the Copacabana beach track.

Jubilant Argentine fans honked car horns down the streets of Rio de Janeiro before the World Cup final on Sunday, prompting Brazilians to shout back their allegiance in this match: "Germany!"

Gabriel Herrera has set up a walk-up Argentine consular office out of a blue and white van parked along Rio's famed Copacabana Beach.

For those who think Rio's hotels seem a tad expensive at the World Cup, there are always alternatives - perhaps a room in a "love hotel" or in a "pacified" slum.

Brazilian police arrested on Sunday a fugitive who was on the run for his alleged part in the separate killings of two policemen in the Rio slums.

Rio de Janeiro, which will stage seven matches of the FIFA World Cup including the July 13 final, was the scene of angry protests and clashes between residents of a slum district a short walk from the popular Copacabana Beach and police.

More than 6.6 million people attended events with Pope Francis at the Vatican from his election in March to the end of 2013, figures released on Thursday showed, compared to 2.3 million for former Pope Benedict in all of 2012.

Rio's famed Copacabana beach, usually the venue for scantily-clad sun-seekers and revelry, became a massive Catholic campground on Sunday as Pope Francis concluded a youth festival by urging young people to go forth and build a new world.

Hundreds of thousands of young people who slept under chilly skies in the white sand of Copacabana beach are waking up in eager anticipation of Pope Francis' final Mass for World Youth Day.