Jan 14, 2012

Brazil Opens Criosfera 1 in Antarctica

Brazil News

| ANTARCTIC STATION COMANDANTE FERRAZ – Brazilian scientists on Thursday officially opened a new weather monitoring station located in the interior of the continent. The Criosfera 1 will gather information on the impact of climate change in Antarctica.

Brazilian scientists at Criosfera 1 station in Antarctica near the South Pole

Brazil's Criosfera 1 South Pole (Photo: Marcelo Arévalo/jornalwebminas.com.br)

Addicts Bear Dealers Trademark Tattoo

Brazil News

| SALVADOR, Brazil – This week, police in southwestern Bahia reportedly are investigating the relationship between a drug dealer and many addicts who bear a similar tattoo. Police in Itapetinga, 394 km (245 miles) southwest of Salvador, say that dozens of users are all tattooed with a drug dealer's nom de guerre on their body in exchange for money and drugs, according to G1 Bahia.

The drug dealer's trademark tattoo on the human billboards: juvenile delinquents, robbers and thieves

Human Billboard (Photo: G1 BA)

Jan 13, 2012

Beautiful Girls on Florianopolis Beach

Brazil News

| FLORIANOPOLIS, Brazil – As temperatures soared in this South Atlantic capital city and tourist mecca, the beautiful, idle people hit the sandy beaches to play.

Beautiful young woman on the Florianopolis beach assists at foot-volleyball tournament on 12 January 2012

Girl on Florianopolis beach (Photo: Fabrício Escandiuzzi/terra.com.br)

Jan 12, 2012

Video: Debora Lyra Crash

Brazil News

| VITORIA, Brazil – A week after Miss Brazil 2010, Deborah Lyra, was released from hospital, video showing the immediate aftermath of her head-on crash has surfaced. The G1 network received the video, which shows the crash scene and rescue of the beauty queen, from merchant Zelio Muratori who recorded the images.

Still taken from the video that surfaced this week showing the immediate aftermath of the head-on collision which seriously injured Miss Brazil 2010, Debora Lyra

Debora Lyra Accident Scene (Photo: Zelio Muratori/G1 ES)

Military Police Raid Rio's Shantytowns

Brazil News

| 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.

Military Police raid favelas in the Rio de Janeiro's North and West Zones on Thursday, 11 January 2012

Rio's Military Police in Action (Photo: Futura Press/terra.com.br)

Flat Rainbow Seen in Mato Grosso do Sul

Brazil News

| 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.

A rare flat rainbow, or circumhorizontal arc, as captured by camara above the Brazilian city of Maracaju, Mato Grosso do Sul, in late December 2011

 Circumhorizontal Arcs (Photo: João G. Marcondes Júnior/terra.com.br)

Jan 11, 2012

5 Miles Copper Wire Stolen from Stadium

Brazil News

| 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 Stadium was plundered of almost five miles of copper wire early Monday morning 09 January 2012

 Fredis Saldivar Copper Wire (Photo: douradosinforma.com.br)

Ronaldinho Image Found on Bags of Crack

Brazil News

| 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 cocaine packages bearing the image of star Brazilian footballer Ronaldinho seized in Rio de Janeiro favela Jacarezinho on Wednesday 11 January 2012

Crack Packages Bearing Image of Ronaldinhio (Photo: terra.com.br)

Jan 10, 2012

Ethanol Power Coming to Antarctica

Brazil News

| 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.

Brazil's Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz

Antarctic Station Comandante Ferraz (Photo: panoramio.com/jmcnunes)

Update: Hitman Helps Target Fake Her Death

Brazil News

| 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.

The 'proof of death' photo of the catchup lady taken by the hapless hit man who couldn't bring himself to kill her.

Catchup Lady and Hapless Hit Man (Photo: TV BA/G1 BA)

Jan 9, 2012

'Barbie da Favela' Goes Viral on YouTube

Brazil News

| 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, better known as Barbie da Favela, from Bahia, Salvador

 Bionda Blenda Sodré (Photo: Rafaela Ventura/correio24horas.com.br)

Porto Alegre to Send Taggers to Prison

Brazil News

| 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.

Taggers and graffiti artists like this one may soon face lengthy prison terms for conspiracy

Tagger in Porto Alrege (Photo: terra.com.br/Civil Police)

Jan 8, 2012

Pirapora and the Steamer Benjamin Guimaraes

Brazil News

| 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.

The steamer Benjamin Guimaraes is said to the the last ship of its kind still active and carrying passengers anywhere in the world

Steamer Benjamin Guimaraes (Photo: City of Pirapora/Jornal Web Minas)

Brazil Mobilizes to Help Fight Chile Fires

Brazil News

| 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).

The Brazilian Air Force announced on Sunday, 08 January 2012, that it has deployed a Hercules C-150, like the one pictured, carrying a brigade of firefighters to assist Chile in fighting the more than 50 wildfires now ravaging the country

Brazilian Air Force C-150 Hercules (Photo: ninja-brasil.blogspot.com)