The best of NZ Herald Business: Brazilian plane maker Embraer has developed a twin jet airlifter that is in the running to replace the RNZAF's aging Hercules.

Grant Bradley gets a ride in an experimental Brazilian cargo plane, dipping, ducking and diving over the plantations of Sao Paulo state.

Remarkable new images have emerged of an uncontacted tribal community in the Brazilian Amazon which environmentalists fear could be destroyed by outside influences.

A prison riot in northern Brazil has reportedly left 25 inmates dead, seven of them decapitated and six burned to death.

The wife of Brazil's answer to Donald Trump has become the laughing stock of the country after she gave an interview - while driving

Topsy-turvy weather in Brazil is pushing up the cost of commodities in your breakfast drink.

A giant snake measuring 10.5m long has been discovered on a building site in northern Brazil.

Thoughts are already turning to life after the Olympics, with plans to capitalise on Brazil's worldwide exposure.

Venezuela, Ecuador and Bolivia have recalled their ambassadors to protest what they call a "coup" in the wake of the dismissal of Brazil's President.

Sao Paulo's just a 60-minute flight from the Olympic host city, but worlds apart in spirit and style.

Zac Efron has revealed he felt compelled to fly all the way to Rio to meet US gymnast Simone Biles as soon as he heard she was a fan of his.

As well as a gold medal, this North Korean athlete has picked up another title in Rio - the saddest medal winner at the Games.

A police officer has been shot in the head after he took a wrong turn and entered a slum run by drug gangs in Rio de Janeiro.

His gutsy swim at the 2000 Sydney Games made him a cult figure, but what has become of Eric Moussambani since?

Yet another mishap to hit the Olympic games - this time a man is reported to have been impaled on a fence outside media accommodation in Rio.

Brazil won the right to host the Olympics when times were good. But locals are now not so sure the city is up to the task.

The Russian vice-consul in Rio de Janeiro shot dead an armed mugger who had tried to hold him up in his car.

Former helicopter pilot has been arrested in connection with the kidnapping of Ecclestone's mother-in-law, who was rescued by Brazilian police.

The NZ sportsman kidnapped by men in police uniform in Rio de Janeiro this week is now safely in Toronto.

Kiwi sportsman Jason Lee, who alleged he was kidnapped by police in Rio this week, is safe after a second scare in the Olympics host city.

On NZ Herald Focus - Get up close to a golden lion tamarin in Rio de Janeiro.

United States efforts on the Zika virus have been so focused on prevention, almost no firm plans have been made for the care of the nation's first dozen Zika babies.

For those brave enough to make the trip, Rio de Janeiro is a city rich with potential rewards.

COMMENT: Polynesian communities will be hopelessly under-represented in the New Zealand Olympic team in Brazil. Dylan Cleaver explains why.

Across town in crumbling, working-class areas, there are few signs that the Rio de Janeiro Olympics open in just a month.

COMMENT: With less than a month to go until Rio, serious concerns have been raised about the safety of tourists and teams arriving in the city.

Rio is polluted, dangerous and often downright overwhelming. Alexis Carey recommends you don't miss it.

With the Olympics only a month away, the spotlight is on Brazil as it prepares for half a million tourists from around the world to arrive.

COMMENT: Today Brazil can say with confidence: we are ready to host the first Olympic and Paralympic Games to take place in South America.

What's in the basement of his hotel? Nicholas Jones knows, but will he be allowed to go there?