COMMENT: Brazilians waited for the final round of the presidential impeachment process more anxiously than any Olympic competition.

Brazil's Senate has begun the impeachment trial of President Dilma Rousseff and could permanently oust her as soon as next week.

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.

A dire hotel accommodation shortage has opened the city's poorest favelas to tourists.

The Kiwi sportsman allegedly kidnapped by military police in Brazil says there's more to come in the bizarre tale.

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.

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?

The ashes of Australian man Rye Hunt have returned home to Tasmania after he was cremated in Brazil.

The family and partner of Australian backpacker Rye Hunt, who has been confirmed dead in Brazil, have spoken of their grief.

A body has been found in the search for missing Australian backpacker Rye Hunt, his family said today. They now await DNA testing results.

Seventeen days since going missing, Brazilian authorities are convinced Australian backpacker Rye Hunt drowned at sea.

Michel Temer, is a career politician with a reputation as a skilled negotiator and smooth behind-the-scenes operator.

A majority of Brazil's Senate had indicated by last night that they will vote to put President Dilma Rousseff on trial for breaking budget laws

Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's political future hangs on a vote that is scheduled to take place on Monday in the lower house of Congress.

A vast roll call of exotic critters entertain Nicholas Jones in the world's biggest wetland