Narcotraficantes, or drug dealers, can buy the murder of many, and the loyalty of nearly everyone.

Jim Eagles takes a journey high in the Andes and back in time to meet Ecuadorean people whose history predates the Inca.

The official warning over a tsunami that threatened the entire east coast of New Zealand today has been downgraded to an advisory, but there is still a threat from ocean surges.

Civil Defence authorities have downgraded the tsunami warning for New Zealand. However, New Zealand authorities are warning that there could be surges for up to 24 hours.

New Zealand east coastal areas aren't out of the woods yet, with Civil Defence authorities and scientists electing keep the tsunami warning in place.

Wave activity "appears to be stabilised" at previously-reported levels, Civil Defence Emergency Management says.

The first wave has reached the Chatham Islands, after a massive 8.8 magnitude earthquake hit Chile overnight. An official tsunami alert remains in place for New Zealand's entire east coast.

I remember being mesmerised by the sublime skills of Hugo Porta, the Argentinian rugby five-eighth of a bygone era.

The Unidos da Tijuca samba group has been crowned champion of the Rio Carnival parades for the first time in more than seven decades.

The youngest drum corps queen in Carnival memory broke down crying after being surrounded by cameras.

Queen of pop Madonna's tabloid-friendly romance with toyboy lover Jesus Luz is back on the boil.

At Rio's Carnival, collecting as many pecking partners as possible at one of the 650 massive street parties is truly a competitive sport.

A TV news helicopter pilot steered his crippled, out-of-control aircraft away from a busy highway before crashing.

NZ has for the first time designated four international terrorist groups which are not listed by the United Nations, John Key says.