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.

As more Kiwis look to South America for adventure, Karen Phelps compiles a bucket list for the continent.

Aerial trams and cable cars take visitors up mountains, over rivers and above cities, and sometimes these cable cars are the destination themselves.

The Vatican has asked Brazil for an additional €30 million ($49.5 million) to help cover an expected shortfall in funding for the visit of the Pope to Rio de Janeiro this month.

The demonstrations in Brazil began after a small rise in bus fares triggered mass protests.

Prime Minister John Key has wrapped up his tour of Latin America with a meeting with Brazil's "Iron Lady".

When Prime Minister John Key lands in Mexico tomorrow it will have been more than a decade since the last New Zealand prime minister toured Latin America, and he concedes the region has been neglected in favour of Asian economies.

Ipanema Beach's 2700 metres of smooth sand exudes the alluring free-spiritedness that defines the marvellous Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro.

One-time Python, at 69, is still boyishly nice in the way that little clever boys can be nice. In fact, he may even be the nicest chap in Britain.

London's Games are done, now all eyes are on Rio, writes Josie Dale.

Socialite, former reality TV queen and aspiring DJ Paris Hilton is getting ready to assault the charts again.