Yes, Brazil were bad. But far more importantly, the Germans were sensational, writes Chris Rattue.

Rod Emmerson's take on Brazil's demolition.

There is only one place for fired up Kiwi-Chilean Mauricio Olmedo-Perez to be.

As the eyes of the world are on the carnival of sport at the Football World Cup in Brazil, we meet Kiwis who have made the South American mecca home.

NZ-based Brazil fans are thrilled their team is through to the Fifa World Cup semifinals - but their joy is tempered slightly by the loss of key player Neymar.

Andre Schurrle says that Germany expect to win the World Cup after he set up their quarter-final tie against France in Rio de Janeiro.

Three bites and you are out, writes Chris Rattue. That should be football's response to a third Luis Suarez biting scandal in four years, this one damaging the image of the World Cup.

The video circulating around a gleeful Argentina has not been lost on the long-suffering Brazilians, just across the eastern border.

Pele is an ambassador for the World Cup but the association has been problematic.

Brazil native Ana Paula De Jesus says her dream football World Cup final would be to see her countrymen play their arch-rival, Argentina.

A mobile scanner designed to spot a 3D-printed plastic pistol hidden under a gunman's clothing is to be used in Brazil after threats by organised criminals to disrupt the World Cup.

Goldman Sachs say buy Brazilian stocks because the country will win the World Cup, giving a boost to the local equity market. But investors need to move fast as the gains won't last.

Sao Paulo is facing "imminent water rationing" after the worst drought on record, less than six weeks before the city hosts the World Cup opening ceremony and first game.

At least 10 residents and police officers were injured yesterday as authorities ousted squatters from an abandoned building just steps from Rio's Maracana stadium.

Part of the stadium that will host the World Cup opener in Brazil next year collapsed today, causing significant damage and killing two people, authorities said.

Rio de Janeiro's famed Copacabana beach has been packed with tens of thousands of revellers taking part in the city's gay pride parade.

Brazil plans to divorce itself from the US-centric internet over Washington's widespread online spying, a move that many experts fear will be a potentially dangerous first step toward fracturing a global network built with minimal interference by govts.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade (MFAT) has confirmed the death of Rebeca Nathan, 26, in the Brazilian city last week.

The Brazilian government has designated nearly 10,000 square kilometeres of land in the Amazon rainforest as a protected area.

Bino's back was killing him. He was suffering from scoliosis. He couldn't move his legs, two of them anyway, and his tail just wouldn't swish.

The Iguazu Falls in South America are one of the world's wonders, writes Josie Dale

Frenzied crowds of Roman Catholics mobbed the car carrying Pope Francis when he returned to his home continent for the first time as pontiff, embarking on a seven-day visit meant to fan the fervour of the faithful around the globe.

Pope Francis will land in a Brazil electric with anticipation for the pontiff's first international trip, heading into the open arms of his home continent where mammoth crowds are expected to celebrate Mass on Rio's Copacabana beach.