Brazil protests

In a recorded call released Wednesday, Rousseff told Lula that she was sending the papers confirming his ministerial role “in case of need.”

SÃO PAULO – Visions of a World Cup punctuated by protests and violence in Brazil are fading as the highest scoring tournament in a half century wins over fans in the first four days of matches.

SÃO PAULO, Brazil — Antonio da Silva sat atop a dilapidated wooden throne in the middle of the city. Below him a man shined his brown leather shoes, and in front, the bustling public square Praça da Se came to life. Street performers and sidewalk evangelists harmonized and sermonized away the final hours before chaos was scheduled to give way to competition.

The traffic mayhem has stranded the 4.5 million passengers who use the subway system daily in the sprawling city, while bumper-to-bumper traffic stretched for up to 250 kilometers (155 miles).

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil – One person was shot and killed as violent protests erupted Tuesday in Rio's famed Copacabana beach district following the death of a dancer allegedly at the hands of police, less than two months before the World Cup.