Rainbow Warrior Coming to Rio +20

Brazil News

Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior coming to Rio for Rio +20
Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior coming to Rio for Rio +20 (photo: Folha)

RIO DE JANEIRO – The ship Greenpeace Rainbow Warrior, which acts in defense of the environment, is coming to Rio de Janeiro for Rio +20, reported online media. The vessel’s visit marks the 20th anniversary of activities of the NGO in Brazil.

Continue reading

Posted in Brazil Environment, Uncategorized | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment

Alcântara Cyclone Space falls on Hard Times

Brazil News

Alcântara Cyclone Space
Alcântara Cyclone Space

RIO DE JANEIRO – Alcântara Cyclone Space, the bi-national company created in 2007 by Brazil and Ukraine, has fallen on hard times. The two allies formed the partnership to launch commercial satellites from the Alcântara Launch Center in Northeastern Brazil.

Continue reading

Posted in Brazil Science & Techology | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Yoki Foods CEO Slaying Update II

Brazil News

Elize Matsunanga's Escort Ad on mclass.com.br in 2005
Elize Matsunanga's Escort Ad

SAO PAULO – Elize Matsunaga, 30, who admitted to killing her husband and cutting his body to pieces, advertized herself as a “very loving blond” on an escort service website, reported online media. Elize left the profession after meeting Mark Matsunaga, heir to Yoki Foods, which recently sold for nearly one billion U.S. dollars.

Continue reading

Posted in Brazil Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , | 4 Comments

Woman, 87, Shoots Burglar Dead

Brazil News

87-year old Odete Pra faces murder charges after shooting dead an intruder
Odete Pra faces murder charge (photo: TVRBS)

PORTO ALEGRE, Brazil – Police in Southern Brazil will charge an elderly woman with murder after she shot dead a man who invaded her home on Saturday, reported online media. According to her family, the 87-year old pensioner thought the intruder came to rob her.
Continue reading

Posted in Brazil Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , | Leave a comment

Highrise Fire in Downtown Rio de Janeiro

Brazil News

Fire hits downtown Rio de Janeiro highrise office building on Sunday 10 June 2012
Downtown Rio Highrise Burns (photo: terra.com.br)

RIO DE JANEIRO – Firefighters battled a Sunday morning fire that started on the 17th floor of a highrise office building on Avenida Rio Branco, in downtown Rio at about 7 am. Six trucks, a Magirus ladder truck and 30 men responded but the equipment didn’t reach the 17th floor, delaying the start of work, reported online media.

Continue reading

Posted in Brazil Disasters | Tagged , , , , , | Leave a comment

Yoki Foods CEO Slaying Update

Brazil News

Police pulled Elize over the night of the murder while she had her husbands remains in the car
Ticket issued to Elize night of murder

SAO PAULO – Police in São Paulo pulled over the car driven by Elize Matsunaga the night she carried her husband’s body parts packed in suitcases, reported Folha de São Paulo on Friday. On Wednesday, Elize Matsunaga admitted to police that she shot her husband, CEO of billion-dollar food-giant Yoki Foods, then dismembered his body and dumped the pieces in the woods.

Continue reading

Posted in Brazil Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , | 4 Comments

Famous Leaning Highrises of Santos

Brazil News

Famous Leaning Highrises of Santos, Sao Paulo, subject of study
Famous Leaning Highrises of Santos (photo: Danilo Verpa/Folhapress)

SAO PAULO – The now-famous leaning highrises of Santos, on the São Paulo coast, tilt by as much as 5 feet 11 inches, according to a study by the city. The study identified 65 buildings in the beach area of the city which lean between 0.5 and 1.8 meters (1′ 7.5″ and 5′ 11″).

Continue reading

Posted in Brazil Human Interest | Tagged , , , | 2 Comments

Yoki Foods CEO Slaying Captivates Brazil

Brazil News

Elize Ramos Kitano Matsunaga, wife of Yoki Foods executive arrested in his murder
The Black Widow: Elize Ramos Kitano Matsunaga

SAO PAULO – The wife of a food industry executive admitted to police that she shot her husband in the head, dismembered his body and scattered the remains in Greater São Paulo, reported online media on Wednesday. Charged in the sensational crime is Elize Araújo Matsunaga Kitano, 38, widow of Yoki Foods chief executive Marcos Kitano Matsunaga, 42, who went missing on May 19th.

Continue reading

Posted in Brazil Crime and Punishment | Tagged , , , , , , | 5 Comments

Green Taxis Begin Circulating in Sao Paulo

Brazil News

New electric Nissan Leaf "Green Taxis" in Sao Paulo
Green Taxis São Paulo

SAO PAULO – Two electric green taxis began circulating in São Paulo on Monday, reported online media. Drivers recharge the vehicles, which emit no pollutants, via 220 volt outlets. The pilot program is a feasibility study which proponents of zero-emission vehicles hope will pave the way to wider adaptation.

Continue reading

Posted in Brazil Environment, Brazil Travel and Tourism | Tagged , , , | 1 Comment