(ATR) The host of the 2016 Summer Olympics started the New Year in the only way it knows: on the beach.
As reported by Brazilian newspaper Folha, close to two million people partied on Copacabana Beach to watch a fireworks display over the Atlantic Ocean.
One of the eleven barges carrying fireworks in the Atlantic Ocean caught fire midway through the show, according to newspaper O Globo.
None of the crew members on board were hurt, and Equal Pyrotechnics, the Italian company in charge of the show, is looking into the matter.
The last major safely incident occurred in 2001, when one person died and 49 were injured due an explosion of the fireworks display on Copacabana beach. Rio has moved the display out into the ocean since then to prevent another similar incident.
The morning after on Jan. 1, more than 1.2 million street cleaners removed 680 tons of garbage from the city. The amount of garbage removed was around five percent less than last year’s celebration.
For the 2016 Olympics, beach volleyball, canoe sprint, marathon, marathon swim, road cycling, rowing, sailing, and triathlon will take place in the Copacabana cluster.
Dilma Sworn In
Brazil President Dilma Rousseff began her second term on Jan. 1.
Rousseff gave her inaugural address in the capital of Brasilia, officially appointing her 39-member candidate. Included in the cabinet is new sports minister George Hilton from the Brazilian Republican Party.
Many media outlets have reported that Rousseff's cabinet appointments reflect political promises to her broad coalition rather than appointments based on expertise.
In her inauguration speech, Rousseff spoke about weeding out corruption, which was a major issue during the 2014 election along with the economy.
"Brazilians want high-quality health and education services, security and that corruption be tackled," Rousseff said as reported by the BBC.
"It is time to pursue new goals."
Taxi Fare Increase
Tourists visiting Rio de Janeiro ahead of the Olympic Games will now have to pay more to get around.
A hike in the base-fares for taxis will come into effect on Jan. 3.
The base fare for a taxi ride will now cost $1.93, up from $1.78 a year ago. The per-kilometer charge will now go from $0.72 to $0.76 on Monday's through Saturday's. The fare on Sunday's will rise from $0.87 to $0.91.
Organizing Committee Reopens
Rio 2016 will reopen its doors on Jan. 5 after a break for the holidays.
The organizing committee had been closed from Dec. 24 to Jan. 4 to celebrate the new year.
Written by Aaron Bauer
20 Years at #1: Your best source of news about the Olympics is AroundTheRings.com, for subscribers only.
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