Several people are being held hostage in a bus in Rio de Janeiro

RIO DE JANEIRO — Brazilian police said Tuesday they released 17 hostages from a gunman that took over a crowded bus in Rio de Janeiro and wounded at least two people. Rio police said in its social media channels that all hostages aboard a bus parked at one of the city’s main terminals had been … Read more

8 people die in Brazil’s Rio de Janeiro state as heavy rains cause landslides and floods

RIO DE JANEIRO — At least eight people died in Rio de Janeiro state due to landslides and floods caused by heavy rains Thursday, Brazilian authorities said. A 6-year-old was listed as missing in the countryside city of Mendes. Four of the dead, including an 8-month-old, were members of the same family in the city … Read more

Dogs in glittery costumes parade in Rio de Janeiro as pet lovers kick off Carnival

RIO DE JANEIRO, Brazil — As Rio de Janeiro’s Carnival celebrations kicked off on Saturday, dozens of dogs dressed as mermaids, superheroes, butterflies and clowns paraded alongside their owners in one of the city’s most beloved canine street parties. The Blocão — a play on words that joins “bloco,” which refers to Carnival street parties … Read more

Never mind the mess, Carnival kicks off in Rio de Janeiro with coronation of King Momo

RIO DE JANEIRO — To thunderous applause, Rio de Janeiro’s mayor coronated King Momo on Friday, marking the beginning of the symbolic Carnival monarch’s five-day reign over the revelry. “I officially declare Carnival 2024 open!” King Momo said after Mayor Eduardo Paes bestowed upon him a gigantic, silver and gold key. Confetti flew in a … Read more

Rio de Janeiro has declared a dengue health emergency days before Carnival is due to start

RIO DE JANEIRO — Rio de Janeiro has declared a public health emergency because of an outbreak of mosquito-borne dengue fever, the city said in its official gazette on Monday, just days before Carnival celebrations kick off across Brazil. But the outbreak wasn’t expected to disrupt Carnival, which officially starts on Friday evening and runs … Read more

Tensions spike in Rio de Janeiro ahead of Copa Libertadores soccer final and after Copacabana brawl

RIO DE JANEIRO — Tensions remained high Friday in Rio de Janeiro on the eve of the Copa Libertadores soccer final, following a brawl between fan clubs and a fierce police response on the Copacabana beach the previous day. The incident marred the excitement ahead of the game between Brazil’s Fluminense and Argentina’s Boca Juniors, … Read more

Three doctors shot dead on popular tourist beach in Rio de Janeiro

Comment on this storyComment RIO DE JANEIRO — Three orthopedic physicians were shot and killed early Thursday morning at a beachside kiosk in an upscale part of town in what authorities are calling a targeted execution that may have been politically motivated. Just before 1 a.m., according to a surveillance video published by local media, … Read more