Dengue outbreaks on rise in Brazil as vaccine rollout lags
Sao Paulo, Brazil Reuters Drones fly high above Sao Paulo in search of mosquito-ridden puddles in an effort to tackle the spike in dengue cases around Brazil, as experts say current vaccine supplies will not be enough to fully curb infections any time soon. Cases of the mosquito-borne illness have surged during Brazil’s hot, rainy […]
In pictures: Rio, New Orleans, Cologne – Carnival joy peaks around the world as Lent approaches
AP Parades, music, dancing in the streets – joyous Carnival celebrations marking the final days of revelry before Lent are peaking in New Orleans, Rio de Janeiro and other locales in the Americas and Europe. A dancer from the Tom Maior samba school performs during a Carnival parade in Sao Paulo, Brazil, early on Sunday, […]
Hundreds of thousands still without power days after storm hits Brazil’s largest city
Sao Paulo, BrazilReuters Half a million residents of Sao Paulo remained without electricity on Monday three days after a storm knocked down power cables, leaving much of Brazil’s largest city in the dark. The storm snapped branches and knocked down hundreds of trees that fell on overhead power lines in many streets of the city, […]
Cyclone batters southern Brazil, death toll from floods hits 36
Sao Paulo. Brazil Reuters The death toll from heavy rains in southern Brazil rose to 36, local authorities said on Wednesday, as a tropical cyclone battered and soaked the region, flooding homes and swelling rivers. Video obtained by Reuters showed rising water flooding streets and rivers and submerging houses in the small town of Mucum, […]
Four Nigerians, rescued in Brazil, survived 14 days on a ship’s rudder
Sao Paulo, BrazilReuters On their tenth day at sea, the four Nigerian stowaways crossing the Atlantic in a tiny space above the rudder of a cargo ship ran out of food and drink. They survived another four days, according to their account, by drinking the sea water crashing just meters below them, before being rescued […]
StrangeSights: Miguel and Ruby offer a helping hand (and paw); Diana’s “black sheep” jumper headed for auction; and, a club for pets…
DAVID ADAMS provides a round-up of some stories on the odder side of life…
Death toll from Brazil floods, landslides reaches 57
São Paulo, BrazilReuters The death toll from heavy rains that devastated coastal areas of Brazil’s south-eastern São Paulo state reached 57 people on Friday, official figures showed. Massive downpours have caused landslides and flooding in coastal towns of Brazil’s richest state since last weekend. The city of São Sebastiao bore the brunt of the human […]
Brazil downpours leave at least 50 dead as rescue ship arrives
São Paulo, BrazilReuters A Brazilian Navy ship arrived in the coastal city of São Sebastiao on Thursday to help rescue victims of the heavy rains afflicting southeast Brazil, which have killed at least 50 people and displaced thousands. The Navy’s multi-purpose aircraft ship, its largest vessel, will serve as an emergency field hospital, and is […]
Death toll from Brazil downpours rises to 46; more rain forecast
São Paulo, BrazilReuters The death toll from heavy rains that devastated coastal areas of Brazil’s southeastern São Paulo state rose to 46 people on Tuesday, according to officials, with more precipitation expected. Massive rainfalls over the weekend have caused landslides and flooding in coastal towns in the south-east of the country. Almost 2,500 people are […]
Death toll from Brazil rains hits 40; Lula calls for safer housing
São Sebastiao, Brazil Reuters The death toll from devastating rainfall in south-eastern Brazil rose to 40 on Monday, official figures showed, as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva visited the region and said homes should no longer be built in areas at risk of landslides and major floods. Authorities in the state of São Paulo […]