Brazil’s Pinheiro Braathen wins gold – and South America’s first Winter Olympics medal 14 February 2026 at 10:25

Brazil’s Pinheiro Braathen wins gold – and South America’s first Winter Olympics medal

14 February 2026 at 10:25

Norwegian-born skier storms to historic slalom gold
‘Your difference is your superpower,’ says 25-year-old

As the snow fell in Bormio, and the fog settled in, Lucas Pinheiro Braathen made history by becoming the first South American to win a Winter Olympic medal. Then, as the realisation that he had won gold for Brazil in the men’s giant slalom, he collapsed to the floor and allowed the tears to flow.

“I just hope that Brazilians look at this and truly understand that your difference is your superpower,” he said, still sobbing away. “It may show up in your skin or in the way you dress. But I hope this inspires every kid out there who feels a bit different to trust who you are.”

Rio carnival to offer towering tribute to Lula, ‘the greatest Brazilian of all time’ 13 February 2026 at 06:00

Rio carnival to offer towering tribute to Lula, ‘the greatest Brazilian of all time’

The Guardian

By:Tom Phillips in Rio de Janeiro. Photographs by Alan Lima

13 February 2026 at 06:00

Brazil president to receive unprecedented honour at opening night of procession with a giant effigy of him

He is a giant of Brazilian politics and soon he will become a giant of Brazilian carnival too: a 22-metre metal figurine, to be precise.

Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who rose from rural poverty to become his country’s first working class president, is to receive an unprecedented tribute at the opening night of Rio’s annual carnival procession on Sunday.

São Paulo names new law after dog that stayed by owner’s grave for 10 years 12 February 2026 at 11:50

São Paulo names new law after dog that stayed by owner’s grave for 10 years

The Guardian

By:Tiago Rogero in Rio de Janeiro

12 February 2026 at 11:50

The Bob Coveiro (the Gravedigger) Law ‘recognises the emotional bond between guardians and their pets’

A dog that remained beside his former owner’s grave for 10 years has now given his name to a new state law allowing pets to be buried alongside their loved ones in São Paulo.

The new law – already being informally referred to as the Bob Coveiro (the Gravedigger) Law, in tribute to its inspiration – was signed this week by the governor of Brazil’s most populous state, the conservative Tarcísio de Freitas.

Visual investigation: How Rio’s deadliest police raid unfolded 11 February 2026 at 08:05

Visual investigation: How Rio’s deadliest police raid unfolded

The Guardian

By:Tom Phillips · Tiago Rogero · Elena Morresi · Alan Lima · Sofia Couceiro · Steve Glew · Ashley Kirk · Harvey Symons · Boglarka Kosztolanyi and Temujin Doran

11 February 2026 at 08:05

Warning: this video contains footage that may be distressing to some viewers.

In October 2025, 122 people were killed in what would become Rio’s deadliest police operation. ‘Operation Containment’ was designed to arrest members of one of Brazil's most powerful organised crime groups, the Red Command.

Three months after the police raid many questions still remain, but the Guardian's investigation found that at least one person killed was not a gang member. Police chiefs and conservative politicians have hailed it as a historic blow to organised crime but activists, security experts, the families of the dead, and even Brazil’s president, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, have called a disastrous and futile massacre.

A team of journalists across the Guardian has pieced together police body-camera footage, satellite imagery and pictures and video posted to social media to get the clearest picture to date of what happened that day.