Brazil Contests IMF Forecast
By Marcela Canavarro, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – The International Monetary Fund (IMF) forecast for the world economy in 2009 predicts a decline in Brazilian GDP. The survey “World Economic Outlook”, released last week, indicates economic activity 1.3% lower this year. The Brazilian government admitted the country will probably finish the first trimester in [...]
A Day in Centro, Walking Tour
By Hakan Almerfors, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Centro is the oldest neighborhood in Rio de Janeiro, dominated by commerce and offices, though not so long ago it was the country’s political epicentre. From 1763 until 1960 Rio was the capital of Brazil, and Centro would throng with politicians deciding its future. Unlike any [...]
Turnowski as New Head of Civil Police
By Philip Sever, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Allan Turnowski was appointed as the new head of the Civil Police last Wednesday (April 22nd). Previously State Director for Police Special Operations where he fought organized crime and drug trafficking, Turnowski’s ceremony took place at the Civil Police academy in Cidade Nova. He replaces Gilberto [...]
Flamengo, Botafogo 2-2 in Campeonato Carioca’s Final
By Jayme Monsanto, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – After the Taça Rio conquest on April 19th, Flamengo proceeded to Campeonato Carioca’s final stage, as did Botafogo when they conquered Taça Guanabara on March 3rd. Campeonato Carioca is the Rio de Janeiro state’s main soccer championship, and its final stage is divided in two matches [...]
Paraty, From Gold to Tourism
By Hakan Almerfors, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – First discovered in the 16th century, the colonial history of Paraty (also written Parati) really starts in the 17th century when the Portuguese first constructed a church and larger houses. When it was mandated that all merchant shipping from the the colony of Brazil to Portugal [...]
Operation Dry Law on Rio’s Roads
By Philip Sever, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Operation Dry Law (Operacao Lei Seca) was introduced in Rio de Janeiro one month ago (March 19th), to reduce the number of accidents on Rio’s roads and concentrating particularly on those caused by drunk drivers. The program has involved military police, civil police and highway police [...]
Sandra Pires, Olympic Champion, Retires
By Luiza Moscoso, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Brazilian Olympic gold medalist, world champion, and Carioca player Sandra Pires said goodbye to her career in beach volleyball the best way possible – with victory. The Gringo Times spoke with the Olympic champion on Tuesday, April 21st, just a few hours after she had played [...]
Brazilian Films at Tribeca Festival
By Luiza Moscoso, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Three families struggling against starvation, two ballet dancers from a Carioca favela determined to succeed, the tough journey of a mother and a daughter in a big city and the KOGI Indians perception of the abstract world of meanings. Such different topics are storylines of the [...]
French Artists Play with Reality
By Maíra Amorim, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – 2009 is the year of France in Brazil. The official opening happened last week, with a stunning firework show at the Lagoa Rodrigo de Freitas under a heavy storm, and it continues with the city’s museums and art galleries holding special commemorative exhibitions. Such is the [...]
Casuarina Performs Live for First DVD
By Maíra Amorim, Contributing Reporter RIO DE JANEIRO – Casuarina is a samba group that started out in Lapa during the revitalization of the area in 2001 and now, eight years later, the band is ready to record its first live DVD. The show is going to happen on May 5th, in Lapa of course, [...]