Brazil News in English: Travel, Tourism, Crime, Culture, Celebrities, Videos, Beautiful People
| RIO DE JANEIRO – On Thursday, the Military Police (PM) carried out anti-narcotics operations in the city's shantytowns, or favelas, for the fourth consecutive day. Authorities focused the raids on slums in the North and West Zones of the city.
Rio's Military Police in Action (Photo: Futura Press/terra.com.br)
| CAMPO GRANDE, Brazil – In December, a rare optical phenomenon, known as circumhorizontal arcs, was seen in the heavens above Maracaju, in Central-West Brazil. The phenomenon resembles a rainbow but does not have an arc.
Circumhorizontal Arcs (Photo: João G. Marcondes Júnior/terra.com.br)
| CAMPO GRANDE, Brazil – Police in Dourados, 225 km (140 miles) from Campo Grande, are investigating the theft of 7,800 meters of copper wire from a stadium. The wire—almost five miles worth—was taken early Monday morning while the stadium, which is under renovation, was left guarded by only one man.
Fredis Saldivar Copper Wire (Photo: douradosinforma.com.br)
| RIO DE JANEIRO – Wednesday morning, police in the Rio shantytown Jacarezinho seized 42 bags of crack cocaine emblazoned with the image of Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho. Last year, police found hundreds of bags of crack cocaine bearing a photo of British singer Amy Winehouse, in the Manguinhos shantytown, or favela.
Crack Packages Bearing Image of Ronaldinhio (Photo: terra.com.br)
| ANTARCTIC STATION COMANDANTE FERRAZ – Beginning tomorrow, a Brazilian made ethanol-powered electric generator will begin powering Brazil's research station in Antarctica. The installation is part of the celebration of the 30-year anniversary of the facility. The defense minister, Celso Amormim, will start operation of the machine during the event, reports Agencia Brazil.
Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (Photo: panoramio.com/jmcnunes)
| SALVADOR, Brazil – Police in Pindobaçu, 400 km (249 miles) from Salvador, are seeking the arrest of those involved in the case of the hitman who faked his target's death. Police finished investigating the case last year but they didn't submit the application for arrest warrants to prosecutors until last Friday.
Catchup Lady and Hapless Hit Man (Photo: TV BA/G1 BA)
| SALVADOR, Brazil – Over the last three weeks, the band Mulhegada has taken the internet by storm with their music video 'Barbie of the Favela.' The three minute video shows buxom blond Bionda Blenda Sodré, better known as 'Barbie da Favela,' accompanied by other girls from the shantytown, singing and dancing in a white skirt and pink blouse.
Bionda Blenda Sodré (Photo: Rafaela Ventura/correio24horas.com.br)
| PORTO ALREGE, Brazil – Fed up with taggers, police here say they intend to build conspiracy cases against them, which could result in lengthy prison terms. Tagging in Brazil is considered both vandalism and an environmental crime which can result in up to one year in jail.
Tagger in Porto Alrege (Photo: terra.com.br/Civil Police)
| BELO HORIZONTE, Brazil – The city of Pirapora in the state of Minas Gerais is home to the only operating steamship in the world, the Benjamin Guimaraes. The city, located 347 km (216 miles) from the state capital, Belo Horizonte, has charms and beauty due to the curves of Old Chico, the affectionate nickname given to the Sao Francisco River, which meanders through the city.
Steamer Benjamin Guimaraes (Photo: City of Pirapora/Jornal Web Minas)
| BRASILIA – The Brazilian Air Force (FAB) announced Sunday that it sent a plane to Chile with 50 firefighters to help that country fight the over 50 wildfires now burning. The Hercules C-150, like the one pictured below, carries firefighters from the Brazilian Institute of Environment and Natural Resources (IBAMA).
Brazilian Air Force C-150 Hercules (Photo: ninja-brasil.blogspot.com)
