Shakira’s free concert on Brazil’s Copacabana beach draws crowd of 2 million
colombian superstar Shakira Gave a free concert on Copacabana Beach in Rio de Janeiro on Saturday night, an event the city’s mayor said attracted 2 million people to one of the world’s most iconic waterfronts.Similar shows followed the performance mother of jesus in 2024 and Lady Gaga Last year, which was attended by huge crowds and danced on the vast sand. For Shakira, it was part of her “Las Mujeres Ya No Lloran” or “Women No Longer Cry” world tour named after her 2024 album.
Shakira says, ‘Life is magical’
Shakira’s set began around 11 p.m., more than an hour later than scheduled, with fans screaming in excitement and applause as skywriting drones flew across the sky and chanted “I love you Brazil” in Portuguese.The megastar spoke fondly about coming to Brazil for the first time nearly three decades ago.“When I was 18, I came here with the dream of singing for you,” Shakira told the crowd shortly after taking the stage. “And now look at this. Life is magical.”The much-loved pop star sang fan favorites like “Hips Don’t Lie,” “La Tortura” and “La Bicicleta.” She concluded with “BZRP Music Sessions #53/66”, following her separation from Spanish football player Gerard Pique.She also took time to celebrate the resilience of women during the show. She said, “We women, every time we fall, we get up a little wiser.”
One of the first places where Shakira became successful
Rio Mayor Eduardo Cavaliere said on Twitter that 2 million people attended the demonstration. “The She-Wolf makes history in Rio,” he posted, referring to Shakira’s 2009 hit.When Shakira first performed in Brazil in the 1990s, she struck an amazing connection with the Brazilian public, according to Felipe Maia, an ethnomusicologist who earned a doctoral degree in popular music and digital technologies at the University of Paris Nanterre.That success in Brazil “has a lot to do with the fact that she comes from Colombia, a country that has many similarities in culture with Brazil,” Maia said, adding that Saturday’s performance “reflects the long-standing relationship she has had with Brazil.”Shakira’s performance was good, says Helem Souza da Silva on his way home after Saturday’s show bad bunnyThe concerts in São Paulo in February helped strengthen Brazil’s Latino identity.He said, “These artists are making it clear that Brazil, Puerto Rico, Colombia and other countries are part of Latin America. And America is not the United States.”Crowds started gathering on the beach from Saturday morning to find a good spot for the show. Street vendors sold sweet corn and other Brazilian snacks, bottled water and the popular Brazilian cocktail Caipirinhas, but also toilet paper, deodorant and even sand bags so that concertgoers could get a better view of the stage set up in front of the Copacabana Palace, a historic luxury hotel.Street vendor Simone Paula da Cunha arrived at the beach on Friday evening, hoping to sell all the beer and water bottles she purchased before the show and make about $100 in total.
An effort to boost the city’s economy after Carnival
The free concerts are part of City Hall’s effort to boost economic activity after Carnival and New Year’s Eve festivities and before the month-long St. John’s Day celebrations in June.According to a study by City Hall and RioTour, the municipality’s tourism company, Shakira’s performance could generate approximately 777 million reais (about US$155 million), thanks to the influx of tourists and cash spent in restaurants, hotels and shops.More tourists visited Rio in the month of May in the show years – 2024 and 2025 – than in 2023, according to City Hall data. In 2024, on May 1, just before the concerts, the increase compared to the previous year was 34.2%. There is an increase of 90.5% in 2025 compared to 2023.Ahead of Shakira’s performance, Airbnb said in an April 22 statement that it was seeing an increase in the number of guests coming from various parts of Brazil, Latin America and even European capitals like Paris and London.Wanderson Andrade, a 30-year-old architect, said he flew in from the central Brazilian city of Guiana on Saturday specifically for the show and planned to fly back the next day.“I tried to get tickets to see her in Brazil last year but I didn’t succeed,” said Andrade, whose first tattoo is a wolf in Shakira’s honor. “Today a dream has come true.”
Kailash Mansarovar YatraWith China’s support, crossing the Lipulekh Pass through the state of Uttarakhand which is claimed by Nepal.The Indian government later rejected Nepal’s territorial claims and said that India has consistently maintained that such claims are neither justified, nor based on historical facts and evidence. Responding to a statement by Nepal’s Foreign Ministry, it said, “Such unilateral artificial expansion of territorial claims is untenable.”Nepal, in its statement earlier in the day, said it had raised the issue diplomatically with both India and China and informed them of its “unequivocal stance and concern” regarding the planned pilgrimage through “Nepali area Lipulekh”.The Ministry of External Affairs responded by saying that India’s position in this regard is consistent and clear. It said, “Lipulekh Pass has been a long-standing route for the Kailash Mansarovar Yatra since 1954 and the Yatra through this route has been going on for decades.” This is not a new development.Nepal’s Foreign Ministry said, “The Government of Nepal is absolutely clear and firm on the fact that, as per the Sugauli Treaty of 1816, Limpiyadhura, Lipulekh and Kalapani – which lie to the east of the Mahakali River – are integral parts of Nepal.” India has earlier responded to such statements by asking Nepal to refrain from any unfair mapping claims and respect India’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.The border issue could be the first real test for relations between the countries as the Balendra Shah-led government ramps up its foreign policy. The two sides are currently discussing the visit of Foreign Secretary Vikram Misri to Kathmandu next week to strengthen the bilateral cooperation agenda.Lipulekh in the Kalapani region in western Nepal is one of the two tri-junctions that Nepal has with India and China. For India, the Kalapani region including Limpiyadhura and Lipulekh remains a part of Uttarakhand. Nepal had earlier also objected to India and China’s decision to expand trade through the strategic Lipulekh Pass.Nepal’s statement reminded that earlier too, it had consistently urged India not to “carry out any activities like road construction or expansion, border trade or pilgrimage tourism in that area”. Further, it is clarified that friendly nation China has also been officially informed that Lipulekh area is Nepalese territory.Nepal said, “In line with the spirit of close and friendly relations between Nepal and India, the Government of Nepal is committed to resolving the border issues through diplomatic channels on the basis of historical treaties, agreements, facts, maps and evidence.”India in its response said it is open to constructive dialogue with Nepal on all issues in bilateral relations, including resolving outstanding border issues as agreed through dialogue and diplomacy.
The footage was shared on Twitter by White House Deputy Chief of Staff Dan Scavino. It depicts Rubio wearing headphones and leaning on DJ equipment while electronic dance music plays. Guests can be seen dancing on the floor as the music plays.“Moments ago, behind the scenes,” Scavino wrote. “Our great Secretary of State Marco Rubio even DJs at weddings!”“Let’s go!!!” He added.Scavino said Rubio “was in action at a family wedding tonight.” Rubio has been jokingly dubbed the “Secretary of Everything.”According to the Daily Mail, Rubio appears engaged with the music in the clip, at one point gesturing as if he is adjusting the tempo, while John Summitt and Hayla’s track “Shiver” plays. He is also seen pumping his fists and the crowd reacts with the same energy.Rubio currently serves as Secretary of State and has also been linked to other senior responsibilities in the Trump administration, including national security duties.The video went viral, with some praising the light-hearted moment while others criticized it, pointing to ongoing global tensions and the policy challenges facing the administration. Critics questioned the timing of the appearance, while supporters said it was simply a private celebration. Some users also said it shows Rubio’s versatility and ability to connect with people outside of formal politics.The Florida Republican has recently seen his profile rise in MAGA circles, with some polls indicating he could become a potential future presidential contender.Rubio’s appearance behind the DJ booth comes amid other viral moments involving senior US political figures, including President Donald Trump, who recently joked about his own dance routine during a public event in Florida.At the same time, the White House has continued to focus on foreign policy, particularly with regard to ongoing tensions involving Iran and Latin America, areas in which Rubio has played a visible role.
Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh Of sexual harassment.The announcement comes just days before Brij Bhushan makes his return to a ranking tournament in Gonda, his stronghold, his first appearance in nearly 20 months after coming out of retirement in December last year.Vinesh, a two-time World Championships medalist and three-time Olympian, had earlier not revealed her identity publicly citing ongoing legal proceedings. In a 4-minute, 22-second Instagram video, he said “certain circumstances” compelled him to speak even though the matter was sub-judice.“SC guidelines say that the identity of any victim should not be revealed… but today, due to certain circumstances, I want to tell you something,” Vinesh said, adding, “I myself am one of the six victims who have filed the complaint, and our testimony is still ongoing.”
