Rio kicks off Carnival parades with Oscars glory on minds / Photo: © AFP
-
Carrick uncertain if Man Utd defender De Ligt will return this season
-
Forest survive shoot-out to reach Europa League quarters, Villa advance
-
US, Israel tactics diverge on Iran as Trump's goals still 'fuzzy'
-
Japan PM placates Trump on Iran, but faces Pearl Harbor surprise
-
Brazil presidential hopeful Flavio Bolsonaro praises Bukele
-
The Iran war and the cost of killing 'bad guys'
-
US stocks cut losses on Netanyahu war comments as energy prices soar again
-
Forest beat Midtjylland on penalties to reach Europa League quarters
-
Netanyahu says Iran decimated as Tehran warns of 'zero restraint' in energy attacks
-
Salvadoran anti-corruption lawyer jailed to 'silence her', husband says
-
California to rename Cesar Chavez Day after sex abuse claims
-
Yazidi woman tells French court of rape, slavery and escape from IS
-
New FIFA ruling boosts prospects for women coaches
-
Megan Jones to captain England in Women's Six Nations
-
Trump says told Netanyahu not to attack Iran gas fields
-
MLS reveals shortened 2027 campaign details
-
FIFA planning for World Cup to 'go ahead as scheduled' amid Iran uncertainty
-
Braves outfielder Profar's full MLB season ban upheld: report
-
Mideast war exposing Europe's reliance on Gulf flights, airlines warn
-
Ghalibaf: Iran's new strongman running war effort
-
UN shipping body urges 'safe maritime corridor' in Gulf
-
Venezuelan student freed after months in US immigration custody
-
Trump to Japan PM: 'Why didn't you tell me about Pearl Harbor?'
-
US mulls lifting sanctions on Iranian oil at sea despite war on Tehran
-
IMF raises concern over global inflation, output over Iran war
-
Middle East war weighs on global trade outlook: WTO
-
Cunningham out for NBA Pistons with collapsed lung
-
Belarus frees 250 political prisoners in US-brokered deal
-
Fernandez 'completely committed' to Chelsea insists Rosenior
-
Call to add Nazi camps to UNESCO list
-
England cricket chiefs to front up to media over Ashes flop
-
'Miracle': Europe reconnects with lost spacecraft
-
Nigeria 'challenged by terrorism', president says on UK state visit
-
Woltemade deployed too deep to be dangerous at Newcastle, says Nagelsmann
-
Wimbledon expansion plan gets legal boost
-
EU summit fails to rally Orban behind stalled Ukraine loan
-
New Morocco coach praises 'well-deserved' Cup of Nations decision
-
Senegal to appeal CAF Africa Cup of Nations decision
-
'Mixing things up': Nagelsmann goes for flexibility in new Germany squad
-
Record-setter Hodgkinson hopes 'fourth time lucky' at world indoors
-
European Central Bank warns of major hit from Mideast war
-
Atletico target Romero says his focus on Spurs' survival bid
-
Karalis hits prime form to threaten Duplantis surprise
-
Freshly returned Mbappe leads France squad for Brazil, Colombia friendlies
-
US earns its lowest-ever score on freedom index
-
Europe's super elite teach English clubs a Champions League lesson
-
What we know about the UK's deadly meningitis outbreak
-
Karl handed Germany debut as Musiala misses out with injury
-
What cargo ships are passing Hormuz strait?
-
Bank of England holds interest rate amid Middle East war
Rio kicks off Carnival parades with Oscars glory on minds
Rio de Janeiro held the first day of its famous Carnival samba parades Sunday -- with many attendees also eying activities all the way in Hollywood, where Brazil could take home its first Oscar.
While the samba schools prepare to put their talents on display, the possibility of Brazil claiming victory at the Academy Awards with "I'm Still Here" generated an additional air of celebration among the Carnival festivities.
The film, directed by Walter Salles, tells the story of former congressman Ruben Paiva's disappearance in 1971, and the actions by his widow Eunice during the country's military dictatorship, which lasted from 1964-1985.
"I'm Still Here" earned nominations for best picture, best foreign film and best lead actress for Fernanda Torres, who already won a Golden Globe award for her performance.
Oscars buzz can be found all over the streets of Rio, as billboards and posters touting support for Torres display alongside revelers dressed up as her in the Carnival parades, with some dedicated entirely to the actress.
"There is no better day than a Carnival Sunday to win the Oscar," Rebecca Maria Darakjian Batoni, a 25-year-old celebrant in the northeast city of Olinda, told AFP.
Among the crowds at Carnival, many attendees wielded plastic golden statuettes sold by street vendors.
"Fernanda is an example, an idol for all of Brazil, and today we're all going to stop to see her win the Oscar!" said Cristina Leite de Moraes, a 25-year-old doctor.
Torres, 59, has said she felt "very proud" that the streets were filled with her image.
At Rio's massive Sambadrome, the top twelve samba schools will compete from Sunday until Tuesday, in a new three-day format instead of the traditional two.
The change will give each group a little more time, up to 80 minutes, for its thousands of dancers and musicians to walk the mythical catwalk in front of some 70,000 attendees and millions of television viewers around the world.
Authorities said that excitement over the Oscars win could help amplify the economic activity generated by Carnival festivities, with estimates for the festival approaching the $1 billion dollar mark.
P.Keller--VB
