200 families are homeless after a massive fire ripped through one of São Paulo's largest favelas (shanty towns). Nearly the entire district of the Diogo Pires was engulfed by the flames as the fire raged on for more than three hours. The fire. . . READ FULL STORY

The BBC's Rajesh Mirchandani recently accompanied pop mega star Shakira on a trip through Colombia to raise awareness for disadvantaged children and education. They traveled to the north-west border province of Choco, a poor and remote location. . . READ FULL STORY