Week of Zona Sul Drug Violence
By Cornelius Conboy, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Drug wars spilled out of the favelas into the Zona Sul last week as violence escalated in response to increased police actions. At least 8 people have been killed last week and dozens arrested in a concerted action against favela drug gangs. Though drug related violence [...]
6th Round of Taça Rio
By Jayme Monsanto, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – The eight games of the 6th round of Taça Rio were played this Saturday (March 29th). Four matches started simultaneously at 4PM: Duque de Caxias against Bangu (the former won 3-1 against the latter), Boavista against Madureira (another 3-1 victory for the former), Mesquita against Tigres [...]
Rio’s Overlooked Treasure: Glória
By Nicole Pelligrino, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – What if there existed a neighborhood that was: affordable, verdant, peaceful, tightly-knit, safe, pedestrian and car-friendly, accessible to the Mêtro and buses, with a waterfront and gorgeous views? A place where a wonderful quality of life need not cost a fortune? Look no further than Glória. [...]
Flamengo Victories Alieve Worries
By Jayme Monsanto, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – After a great effort, the Flamengo directors managed, against all odds, to get the players’ delayed salaries to their bank accounts just before the important match against Vasco da Gama, Flamengo’s greatest rival, on last Sunday, March 22. This, and the fact that the last time [...]
Help Discotech to Close
By Doug Gray, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – It has been high on Governor Sergio Cabral’s hit list for several years, but it now looks as if the closing of Copacabana’s most notorious nightclub ‘Help’ is finally confirmed. A recent decision by Judge Camila Novaes Lopes ruled in favor of its compulsory purchase by [...]
Indigo Investments in Penthouses
By Doug Gray, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – With a degree in chartered surveying and several successful projects in the British Isles behind him, James Lomas moved to Rio in 2007 to set up the international branch of Indigo Real Estate Investments, lured by the relatively low cost of property, favorable exchange rates and [...]
Reforming the Health Business
By Sarah O’Sullivan, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Jose Gomes Temporao, the national health minister, plans to “radically reform” Brazil’s public health care system. He openly acknowledges the anomaly that is public health, and blames antiquated administrative processes, some that are more than 50 years old. Chantal James, a Canadian national living in Rio, [...]
Fight for Peace Boxing Club
By Sarah O’Sullivan, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – An Englishman has spent the last seven years fighting to provide an alternative for youngsters living in Complexo de Mare, a favela community in Rio’s Zona Norte (north zone), that has buried seven children in the last four years through gang violence. His boxing club is [...]
Arraial do Cabo, Oásis in the Making
By Hakan Almerfors, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – With a population of around 25,000, Arraial is one of the more popular tourist destinations in the state of Rio de Janeiro. It is the crystal clear waters, excellent diving and a tranquil atmosphere that attracts most people to this small town located about 170 km [...]
Pandeiro Jazz
By Naomi Orton, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – The pandeiro is perhaps to Brazilian music what the saxophone is to jazz and the violin to a string quartet. Not to be confused with the tambourine, the tension on the head of the pandeiro can be tuned, which gives the player a choice of high [...]