Supermoon 2012 Visits Rio de Janeiro

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – The so-called 'supermoon' created an amazing photo opportunity in Rio last night as it rose behind the statue of Christ the Redeemer atop Corcovado mountain.

Supermoon 2012 and Christ the Redeemer (Photo: Folha)

Oscar Niemeyer Hospitalized in Rio

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – Iconic Brazilian architect Oscar Niemeyer, 104, was hospitalized on Wednesday at Samaritan Hospital, in Botafogo, in the South Zone of Rio de Janeiro. According to a spokesman for the hospital, Niemeyer was admitted at about 7 pm and his prognosis is good.

Oscar Niemeyer – 2008 (Photo: Dida Sampaio/AE/Veja)

'Jetman' Flies Around Rio de Janeiro

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – Swiss aviator Yves Rossy, known as Jetman, flew around Rio de Janeiro today, 2 May 2012. He jumped from a helicopter high above the Christ the Redeemer statue on Corcovado, activated his equipment, and used his body to fly around the statue and eventually land on Copacabana Beach in the city's South Zone.

Jetman above Rio (Photo: Brietling/G1)

Copacabana Palace Hotel Renovation

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – The most famous hotel in Rio de Janeiro, the Copacabana Palace, will be renovated this year and will be selling historic items. The second major renovation since the iconic hotel opened in 1923, will see bedside tables, dressers, sofas and lamps offered for sale to the general public.

Copacabana Palace Hotel (Photo: Folha de Sao Paulo)

Shot in the Chest, Saved by Cellphone

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – A doctor escaped near certain death on Wednesday when a bullet hit him in the chest but was deflected by a cell phone he was carrying in his shirt pocket. The doc was walking in the area of Plaza XV in downtown Rio, and was one of three victims shot after an argument over a woman on a city bus.

Cellphone Shield (Photo: Aline Pollilo/G1)

Blue Sky, Clear Sea, High Temps in Rio

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – Blue sky, clear water and warm temperatures lured Cariocas and tourists alike to the beaches of Rio on Holy Thursday. The thermometers reached 30° C (86° F) at Ipanema Beach by early afternoon, beckoning beachgoers into the surf.

Ipanema Beach Holy Thursday 2012 (Photo: Daniel Fraiha/G1)

Earth Hour 2012 in Rio de Janeiro

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – In celebration of Earth Hour 2012, several monuments went dark in Rio on Saturday night, including the iconic Christ the Redeemer statue atop Corcovado mountain.

Christ the Redeemer with Lights Off (Photo: diariodeteresina.com.br)

Billionaire’s Son Kills Cyclist in Rio

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO - Thor de Oliveira Fuhrken Batista, son of Brazilian billionaire Eike Batista, allegedly hit and killed a cyclist in Rio de Janeiro Saturday night. The businessman tweeted Sunday afternoon: “Unfortunately there was a fatal accident. However, Thor was not reckless.”

Thor de Oliveira Fuhrken Batista’s car after accident (Photo: Nicson Olivier/G1 RJ)

Heavy Fog Shrouds Rio's Famed Beaches

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – Just one day after the hottest day of the year, bathers on the beaches of Rio's South Zone were surprised by heavy fog. The unusual weather hit in the afternoon, stunning sunbathers who rarely see fog in this sun-worshiping tourist mecca.

Londrina Beach Fogged In (Photo: Gustavo Poli/Globoesporte.com/G1 RJ)

2012 Carnaval in Rio Broke All Records

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – The 2012 Carnaval in Rio de Janeiro attracted a record number of tourists to the city. According to Riotur, 1.114 million visitors passed through the city between February 13th and the 26th, which includes the bulk of the celebrations. Of the total, 32% were foreigners.

Rio 2012 Carnaval (Photo: Folha)

Singer Pery Ribeiro Dead in Rio at 74

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – Singer-songwriter Pery Ribeiro, 74, died early Friday in Rio de Janeiro after suffering a heart attack. He was the son of singer Dalva de Oliveira (1917-1972) and singer-songwriter Herivelto Martins (1912-1992).

Pery Ribeiro (Photo: G1 RJ)

Jennifer Lopez Loved Carnaval '12 in Rio

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – Sexy superstar, American songbird and actress Jennifer Lopez, 41, seems to have loved spending Carnaval in Brazil.

Jennifer Lopez in Rio's Carnaval 2012 (Photo: Fabio Martins/AgNews/Folha de Sao Paulo)

Will Smith Causes Sensation in Rio

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – American actor Will Smith caused a sensation among fans during his visit to Rio this week. Smith is visiting Brazil to promote his new film “Men in Black 3,” which opens nationwide on May 21st.

Will Smith in Copacabana (Photo: G1 RJ)

Aircraft Carrier Sao Paulo Hit by Fire

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – A sailor was killed and two were injured in a fire that hit the aircraft carrier Sao Paulo in the early hours of Wednesday. The warship is docked at Ilha das Cobras, in Rio de Janeiro.

Aircraft Carrier Sao Paulo (Photo: brasilnewsbrasil.blogspot.com)

Rio Zoo Animals Relax During Carnaval

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – The animals at the Rio de Janeiro Zoo get a three-day break while the park is closed for Carnaval. According to ZooRio, the park concessionaire, the popular tourist attraction will be closed for Carnaval on Monday, Fat Tuesday and Ash Wednesday.

Bear Eating Sherbert (Photo: Esther Nazareth/RioZoo/G1 RJ)

Video: Gays Pummeled at Rio's Airport

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – A gay couple was viciously attacked by two pirate taxi drivers outside the Rio de Janeiro International Airport on Monday. Images of the attack were captured by the airport's surveillance cameras.

Gay Couple Attacked in Rio (Video G1 RJ)

Selena Gomez Performs in Rio

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – Pop singer Selena Gomez appeared on Sunday at the Via Funchal theater in Rio de Janeiro. The 19-year-old brunette also performed on Saturday and wore the same dress during both performances: a bright purple number which left her legs bare.

Selena in Rio (Photo: Orlando Oliveira/AgNews/terra.com.br)

Tragedy in Rio as 3 Highrises Fall

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – Rescuers have pulled the body of a fourth victim from Wednesday night's collapse of three highrise buildings in downtown Rio. According to the State Secretariat of Civil Defense, as of 5 pm Thursday, four bodies have been recovered from the rubble. Four victims are in hospitals and 19 remain unaccounted for.

Building Collapse Tragedy (Photo: G1 RJ)

Seven Story Building Collapses in Rio

Brazil News

| RIO DE JANEIRO – A seven-story building, which was under renovation, collapsed completely in downtown Rio de Janeiro late on Wednesday. State Civil Defense reported that the fall of the building left 11 victims dead and wounded, one taken alive from the rubble.

Building collapse Rio (Photo: G1 RJ)

A large explosion was reported just before the collapse. Civil Defense speculates that there may have been a natural gas leak which was ignited.

Video from TV Globo can be seen below.

Beauties Hit the Beaches of Rio

Brazil News

| FLORIANOPOLIS, Brazil - There is no better place in the world than the beaches of southern Brazil to see beautiful women.

Brazilian butt lift workout

(Photo: Fabrício Escandiuzzi/Special for Terra)