BrazilChevron Rio de JaneiroChevron The three-hour drive from Rio de Janeiro takes you through verdant hills and down a winding coastline to a private enclave of modernist villas At the heart of the secluded complex sits the hotel an architectural marvel designed by the Brazilian studio Bernardes + Jacobsen A pivoting wall of glass opens onto the wood-clad lobby where guests are greeted by afternoon wine and and a friendly staff both with views of the water and the region's famous archipelago Is there a charge for Wi-fi, and is the quality good? Wi-fi was free and great. Break down the F&B for us. There are two restaurants at the hotel. Praia is the casual beach club (think salads and sandwiches) and Crudo is the up-scale restaurant, headed by Chef Pedro Franco. The latter features a seafood-centric menu drawing heavily on local catches. The breakfast buffet is vast and included. Room service is also delicious—order one of the pastas and a bottle of wine (or buy one at the shop on site). Can you tell us about the other guests? It's a well-heeled crowd, mostly fashionable Brazilians from Rio or São Paulo, with some expats thrown into the mix. The hotel is also well-suited for large groups; during our stay there was a wedding as well as a business retreat of some kind. What about the neighborhood? Does the hotel fit in, make itself part of the scene? The resort is its own self-contained universe. You won't want to leave the property, save for your boat tour to the neighboring islands. Is there anything you would've done differently? I didn't make it to nearby Ilha Grande, which is supposed to be spectacular. That would have required an all-day excursion. Tell us what we missed! Something cool about turndown service, or being especially wellness-friendly; anything that stuck with you. The hotel features two outdoor pools—one adults-only, one for families. Both were divine, though the family pool was larger and more swimmable. (That said, children were few and far between.) Definitely visit the spa, either for a treatment or a dip in the Instagrammable indoor pool and plunge bath. A sweat in the sauna and steam room is also a must. Bottom line: Worth it? Why? It's the perfect place to unwind after a hectic stay in Rio, from which the hotel offers easy transfer by car. All listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors. If you book something through our links, we may earn an affiliate commission. up-to-the-minute voice in all things travel Condé Nast Traveler is the global citizen’s bible and muse We understand that time is the greatest luxury which is why Condé Nast Traveler mines its network of experts and influencers so that you never waste a meal or a hotel stay wherever you are in the world the company has extended the charter period of the FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis vessel by an additional five years The Brazilian state operating company says that it recently signed amendments to the charter and service agreements for the FPSO and Modec Serviços de Petróleo do Brasil Ltda In addition to extending the contractual term the amendments aim to enable upgrades to the FPSO which currently has a production potential exceeding 50,000 barrels/day The planned improvements are intended to enhance production reliability and efficiency The consortium plans to decommission the unit in 2030 In operation in the Tupi field since October 2010 the FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis was the first high-capacity FPSO to operate in the presalt layer of the Santos basin cementing its importance in the history of offshore exploration in Brazil Petrobras says that the execution of these amendments aligns with the company’s 2025-2029 business plan and reinforces its commitment to the continuity and expansion of their operations in the Tupi field The Tupi consortium comprises Petrobras (67.216%) Cows were seen caught up in the floodwaters in Angra dos Reis Brazil as severe flooding forced residents in the neighborhood to seek shelter on rooftops More than 380 people and 40 pets have been displaced in the region '+n.escapeExpression("function"==typeof(o=null!=(o=r(e,"eyebrowText")||(null!=l?r(l,"eyebrowText"):l))?o:n.hooks.helperMissing)?o.call(null!=l?l:n.nullContext||{},{name:"eyebrowText",hash:{},data:t,loc:{start:{line:28,column:63},end:{line:28,column:78}}}):o)+" \n '+(null!=(o=c(e,"if").call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2PreText"):l,{name:"if",hash:{},fn:n.program(32,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:63,column:20},end:{line:63,column:61}}}))?o:"")+"\n"+(null!=(o=(c(e,"ifAll")||l&&c(l,"ifAll")||n.hooks.helperMissing).call(r,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Text"):l,null!=l?c(l,"cta2Link"):l,{name:"ifAll",hash:{},fn:n.program(34,t,0),inverse:n.noop,data:t,loc:{start:{line:64,column:20},end:{line:70,column:30}}}))?o:"")+" editing by Gabriel Araujo and Marguerita Choy Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles., opens new tab , opens new tab Browse an unrivalled portfolio of real-time and historical market data and insights from worldwide sources and experts. , opens new tabScreen for heightened risk individual and entities globally to help uncover hidden risks in business relationships and human networks. © 2025 Reuters. All rights reserved Brazilian nuclear utility Eletronuclear (part of state-owned power company Eletrobras) has extended by 45 days the deadline for publishing responses received during the public consultation on the bidding contract and draft notices aimed at completing the works at unit 3 of the Angra NPP Angra NPP units 1&2 currently generate about 3% of Brazil’s electricity Construction of Angra 3 with a Siemens/KWU 1,405 MWe pressurised water reactor began in 1984 but was suspended after two years The project resumed in 2006 and first concrete was poured in 2010 But work stopped again in 2015 following allegations of corruption involving government contracts the newly appointed Eletronuclear ordered construction to restart but in April 2023 the city government of Angra dos Reis ordered work to stop again citing various issues including the promised payment of compensation Eletronuclear launched a public consultation on completion of Angra 3 It said the amount invested so far is BRL7.8bn ($1.5bn) and to complete the plant a further BRL20bn will be needed Some 67% of the civil work has already been carried out Eletronuclear won its appeal in the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice removing the embargo on work to complete Angra 3 Eletronuclear committed to maintaining an open dialogue with the City of Angra dos Reis on its priority projects Eletronuclear said the decision to extend the deadline depended on the quantity and nature of the contributions received during the public consultation Eletronuclear added that it evaluates the participation of interested agents in the bidding process as positive and emphasises that the extension of the deadline does not impact the company’s planning With technical support from the National Bank for Economic & Social Development (BNDES – Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social) the public consultation sought to obtain suggestions for improvements in documents related to Engineering Purchasing & Construction Management (EPC) services including the Risk Matrix and other contractual complements Eletronuclear is awaiting the completion of independent studies The studies will be analysed by the Energy Research Company (EPE – Empresa de Pesquisa Energética) the Ministry of Mines & Energy and the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE – Conselho Nacional de Política Energética) which will be responsible for defining the grant and approving the commercialisation tariff for the energy generated by Angra 3 Independent studies on the completion of Angra 3 were commissioned in 2019 when the project was included in the Investment Partnerships Program (PPI) A first version was completed BNDES and delivered in November 2022 economic and legal plausibility of the project paid a visit to Brazil’s nuclear heavy engineering company Nuclebrás Equipamentos Pesados ​​(Nuclep) which has been participating in the construction of submarines for the Brazilian Navy and also for the construction of equipment for the Angra 3 Nuclep President Carlos Henrique Silva Seixas said the equipment destined for Angra 3 is ready to be installed which has remained in perfect condition since the 1981 contract the qualification and certification inspection of equipment is carried out to be operated at any time He noted the long partnership between the companies in development of the Brazilian nuclear sector we can finally get Angra 3 off the ground and regain its great strength” Nuclep will play a key role in maintaining this equipment bringing recognition to the importance of the company.… It is crucial to reinforce the relevance of the historic partnership for the development of the sector which transcends Angra 3 and brings perspectives for future projects.” Give your business an edge with our leading industry insights View all newsletters from across the Progressive Media network. © Business Trade Media International Limited. All Rights Reserved 2025 getting to Ilha Grande means a five-hour bus journey from Copacabana to the town of Angra dos Reis which will get you to the island in about an hour and 20 minutes unless you’d rather speed things up with a water taxi Tutz Dias / Unsplash View Ilha Grande Snorkelling Tours There’s one main reason to take the plunge off Ilha Grande – turtles Turtles have been protected in Brazil for decades and you can expect to encounter them on every dive With tables right on the waterfront in Abraão village Lua e Mar attracts an end-of-the-day crowd Join them to watch the sun sink over the mountains Portions are huge and the seafood is excellent – especially the northeastern specialties which include bobó de camarão (prawn hotpot) spicy fish moqueca (Bahian coconut and dendê palm oil stews) and the catch of the day Tutz Dias / Unsplash View Lagoa Azul Tours Not that keen on diving over the wrecks offshore and in the calm lagoons a shallow bay of turquoise water framed by forested islets on the island’s Freguesia de Santana península The water teems with grunts and sergeant Majors and there’s usually a visiting green turtle Getting there’s a cinch: simply catch a launch from Abraão village jetty Ilha Grande’s lush mountain interior drips with streams and waterfalls – of the latter These drop over a lip of rocks into a deep clear-water pool set in a bowl of tropical forest Ilha Grande has no roads or motor vehicles The shortest trail leaves from Feiticeira Beach accessible by boat from Abraão – but come with a guide as it’s easy to get lost Sign up to our newsletter to save up to $800 on our unique trips See privacy policy Hike to the top of Pico do Papagaio Natural Feature taking around eight hours to get there and back The path is not clear and the route passes through the heart of the wildlife-filled State Park – so you’ll see capuchin monkeys and toucans along the way Guides are mandatory and easily booked through hotels in town Turtz Dias / Unsplash Abraão village is brochure pretty its sandy streets lined with whitewash and blue painted cottages climbing into fecund forested hills and its white-sand beach nuzzled by gentle waves But it comes alive at night when people flock to the waterfront bar-restaurants to slurp caipirinhas and cold beer prior to dancing – samba pagode and forró – in the cobbled town square Tutz Dias / Unsplash Round-the-island trips in converted wooden fishing boats or launches leave from the jetty right in front of Abraão village Tours of the area are easy affairs – with plenty of time to sunbathe drink ice-cold beer and bask before the immaculate beach and rainforest views The best routes go past the coves at Saco do Céu and Guazuma or near the dramatic mountainous capes around Lopes Mendes beach and rugged Jorge Grego island disembark and through the forest for 20 minutes Before you know it you’ll be ready to peel off – and cool off The waves are a hit among surfers and the crowd-free shore is a hit with no-holds-barred sunbathers import PrebidBidService from "/v1/js/PrebidBidService.js"; import AmazonBidService from "/v1/js/AmazonBidService.js"; window.addEventListener('intersecting',async (e) => { const element = document.querySelector('[data-id="in_article_3"]'); const slot = element.getAttribute('id'); if(e.detail.slotName !== slot) { return; } let promises = []; if(window.canRunPrebid) { const prebidService = new PrebidBidService(); promises.push(prebidService.requestPrebidBids(null [slot])); } if(window.canRunAmazon) { const amazonService = new AmazonBidService(); promises.push(amazonService.fetchBids(null [slot])); } if(promises?.length) { await Promise.all(promises).then(() => { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); }); } else { googletag.pubads().refresh([window.addSlot[slot]]); } }); Visit the abandoned Candido Mendes prison Ruins Ilha Grande holds a dark secret – it was home to the Candido Mendes a high-security prison for some of Brazil’s most dangerous criminals Stories include the escape of one of the country’s most notorious drug lords who broke out after he was rescued by helicopter For decades it kept the inmates away from the mainland until it closed in 1994 and the criminals were released or re-imprisoned elsewhere You’ll get a glimpse following the trail from the Vila de Dois Rios Getting to this atmospheric little village involves some time commitment – it’s 16km (10mi) there and back from Abraão taking you along forest trails and a flawless wild beach where tourism has left not a footprint Vila de Dois Rios is also not far from Candido Mendes prison created by the abandoned houses and ghost stories concerning prison inmates Sarah Brown contributed additional reporting to this article See & Do A One-Week Rio de Janeiro Itinerary Guides & Tips A Complete Guide To Pão De Açúcar (Sugarloaf Mountain) Guides & Tips The Best Hiking Trails in Ilha Grande See & Do The Best Amazon Locations for Seeing Wildlife See & Do The Top 10 Things to Do in Curitiba See & Do The Best Hidden Gems In Rio de Janeiro Only Locals Know About See & Do The 15 Best Destinations to Visit in Brazil See & Do 15 Must-Visit Attractions in Ouro Preto Guides & Tips The Best Non-European Destinations to Escape to This Spring Guides & Tips The Most Picturesque Spots in Sao Paulo See & Do The 8 Best Things To Do In Barra Da Tijuca See & Do 15 Stunning Natural Wonders in South America That Will Take Your Breath Away US: +1 (678) 967 4965 | UK: +44 (0)1630 35000 tripssupport@theculturetrip.com © Copyright 2025 The Culture Trip Ltd. All Rights Reserved. Westinghouse reactor near Rio de Janeiro began commercial operation in 1985 Brazil’s National Nuclear Energy Commission (CNEN) has approved the long-term operation of the Angra-1 nuclear power plant to 2044, extending its life to 60 years, with operator Eletronuclear planning to invest $550m (€524m) in the facility. The request for the life extension was submitted by state-owned Eletronuclear in 2019. CNEN said there has been a “meticulous” technical evaluation of the request, a series of studies and four missions undertaken by International Atomic Energy Agency experts. A plan for safety improvements includes upgrades to control systems, physical protection structures and radioactive waste management protocols, which will be implemented during upcoming maintenance and fuel refill shutdowns, CNEN said. Eletronuclear said it will be investing about $550m between 2023 and 2027 and noted that similar plants in the US had received approval for further extensions to 80 years. Angra-1, a Westinghouse 609-MW pressurised water reactor unit which began commercial operation in 1985, is in the municipality of Angra dos Reis, Rio de Janeiro state, about 130 km west of the capital Rio de Janeiro. According to CNEN, Angra-1 generated 4.78 million MWh in 2023 and has had a load factor of 88.24% for the past five years. It delivers enough energy to supply a city of two million people. Brazil has two operational nuclear plants, Angra-1 and Angra-2, which provide around 2.7% of its electricity production. Work on a third reactor, Angra 3, began in 1984 but was halted in 1986. Work resumed in June 2010, but was delayed into the 2020s. Construction resumed in November 2022, but has been interrupted by disputes with the municipality of the City of Angra dos Reis over agreements relating to environmental compensation and changes to planning permission. The much interrupted works on the third unit at the Angra nuclear power plant in Brazil, have been halted after disputes with the municipality of the City of Angra dos Reis over agreements relating to "environmental compensation" payments and also changes relating to the granted planning permission. Reporting by Marcela Ayres and Bernardo Caram; editing by Nick Zieminski and Bernadette Baum Reports on the macro beat, covering economic policy in Brasilia. Bernardo studied journalism at the Pontifical Catholic University of Minas Gerais before completing a specialization in Economics at Fundação Getulio Vargas (FGV) and an MBA in Economic-Financial Information and Capital Markets at Fundação Instituto de Administração (FIA) in Sao Paulo. He previously worked in Brasilia for Folha de S.Paulo, Agencia Estado and the Globo’s G1 website. Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information 2025 at 4:44 PM ESTBookmarkSaveOil has surpassed soybeans as Brazil’s top export an unprecedented performance that underscores the COP30 host’s status as a fossil-fuel champion The value of Brazilian crude exports rose 5% to $44.8 billion in 2024 the first time oil eclipsed all other foreign sales for Latin America’s biggest economy according to trade ministry data released Monday China was the primary destination for Brazilian barrels with roughly 44% Brazil’s state-owned oil and gas giant Petrobras has prolonged the assignment of a floating production and offloading (FPSO) vessel in the Santos Basin off the coast of Brazil Japan’s MODEC converted the VLCC M/V Sunrise IV into an FPSO capable of processing up to 100,000 barrels of oil per day and 5 million m3 of gas designed for H2S and CO2 removal and capable of reinjecting CO2 downhole at 550 bar besides exporting sales gas to shore Thanks to a 15-year lease with five one-year options designed to remain on the field for up to 20 years has worked at the Lula (former Tupi) field since October 2010 The Tupi consortium comprises Petrobras (67.216% Petrobras has now signed amendments to the charter and service agreements for the FPSO with Tupi Pilot MV 22 and MODEC Serviços de Petróleo do Brasil extending the charter period of the unit by an additional five years until 2030 “The execution of these amendments aligns with the company’s 2025-2029 Business Plan and reinforces Petrobras and its partners’ commitment to the continuity and expansion of their operations in the Tupi field,” highlighted the Brazilian firm which currently has a production potential exceeding 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) The Brazilian giant underlines that this was the first high-capacity FPSO to operate in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin the planned FPSO improvements will be undertaken to enhance production reliability and efficiency maintain platform integrity and operational safety the consortium plans to decommission the FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis in 2030 Brazil’s state-owned player has earmarked the biggest slice of its $111 billion investment pie for oil and natural gas while the total spending in the energy transition arena is expected to reach $16.3 billion Daily news and in-depth stories in your inbox The companies awarded by MEA get the opportunity to work closely together with a transnational team of Marine Energy experts on both the technical advancement of their technology as well as the development of their commercial strategy and business plans Each service offer is intended to put the company’s technology and business firmly on the […] The Brazilian nuclear utility Eletronuclear a subsidiary of the national electricity group Eletrobras has won its appeal before the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice to remove an embargo on work to complete the 1,350 MW third unit of the Angra nuclear power plant which features a Siemens/KWU pressurised water reactor began in 1984 but was suspended after two years Eletronuclear ordered construction to restart; however in April 2023 the city government of Angra dos Reis ordered work to stop again Brazil’s sole nuclear power plant features two other reactors (Angra 1 and 2) nuclear represented less than 1% of Brazil’s installed capacity and 2% of its power generation with 14.5 TWh Enerdata has developed a market research service to screen monitor and analyse the development of power generation assets Power Plant Tracker offers an interactive database and a powerful search engine covering power plants worldwide – including both installed and planned capacities for renewables and fossil fuels Register now to subscribe to our informative monthly Petrobras, on behalf of the Tupi field consortium has entered into amendments to the Charter and Service Provision Contracts for the FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis with the companies Tupi Pilot MV 22 BV and Modec Serviços de Petróleo do Brasil Ltda. extending the unit's charter term for another 5 years In addition to extending the contract term the amendments are intended to enable adjustments to the FPSO which currently has a production potential of over 50,000 barrels per day (bpd) The planned improvements aim to increase reliability and production efficiency ensure operational safety and reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions The consortium expects to decommission the unit in 2030.Petrobras extends charter term for for the FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis Operating in the Tupi field since October 2010 the FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis was the first large-capacity FPSO to operate in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin consolidating its importance in the history of offshore exploration in Brazil The signing of these amendments is in line with the 2025-2029 Business Plan and reinforces the commitment of Petrobras and its partners to the continuity and expansion of their operations in the Tupi field The Tupi consortium comprises Petrobras (67.216%) Original announcement link A global information service for upstream oil and gas opportunities - divestitures The energy-pedia databank contains links to information on the world financial and energy markets, including share prices, oil and gas prices and the global stock exchanges. 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Subscribe to the FREEenergy-pedia Daily NewsletterSubscribe has won its appeal before the Rio de Janeiro Court of Justice to remove an embargo on work to complete the 1,350 MWe unit 3 at the Angra NPP in Angra dos Reis The Court of Justice of Rio de Janeiro upheld an appeal filed by Eletronuclear prohibiting any new embargoes on work at the unit for a period of 90 days while an administrative process is analysed the judges of the 7th Chamber of Public Law partially granted Eletronuclear’s appeal determining that the City of Angra dos Reis should finalise the process for renewing the licence permit that would ensure the legality of the works while the process is administratively evaluated the municipality is prevented from embargoing the work Eletronuclear filed a request for a writ of mandamus arguing the absence of irregularities in the issues highlighted by the embargo promoted by the city of Angra last year Although an injunction had initially been granted by the lower court the injunction was restored on appeal and has now been confirmed on appeal Considering the importance and magnitude of the work the Court deemed the 90-day deadline appropriate and suggested the possibility of mediation to resolve the impasse between the parties the immediate issue is just political and due to stubbornness on the part of the Angra mayor in refusing to grant a licence for the work before receiving from Eletronuclear compensation due to the city depends much less on an end of this local imbroglio than on the federal government’s own momentary uncertainty regarding the cost of completing the new plant and the difficulties of financial management at Eletronuclear itself.” In September, Eletronuclear finally received the results of a study on unit 3 of the Angra NPP prepared by the National Bank for Economic & Social Development (BNDES – Banco Nacional de Desenvolvimento Econômico e Social) economic and legal feasibility of the project It concluded that overall cost of abandoning Angra 3 may exceed BRL21bn while the cost to finalise the construction is estimated at around BRL23bn and the amount already invested in the work is almost BRL12bn The plant is expected to enter commercial operation in 2031 The study has been to the Ministry of Mines & Energy (MME) and shareholders (ENBPar and Eletrobras) MME will then forward it to the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE – Conselho Nacional de Política Energética) which will decide whether or not to complete the plant Angra NPP has two operating pressurised water reactors (PWRs) – the 640 MWe Angra 1 supplied by US Westinghouse Electric Company which was connected to the grid in 1985 and the 1,350 MWe Angra 2 Connecting decision makers to a dynamic network of information, people and ideas, Bloomberg quickly and accurately delivers business and financial information, news and insight around the world 2024 at 12:24 PM EDTUpdated on October 22 2024 at 2:50 PM EDTBookmarkSaveBrazil is looking to attract mining companies to help revive the country’s uranium exploration and production efforts as the world signals renewed appetite for nuclear power 2024Courtesy Faena Hotel Buenos AiresSave this storySaveSave this storySaveAll products and listings featured on Condé Nast Traveler are independently selected by our editors we may receive compensation from retailers and/or from purchases of products through these links View all of the 2024 Reader’s Choice Awards winners here 43,000+ global companies doing business in the region 102,000+ key contacts related to companies and projects news and interviews about your industry in English each year at Christmas my mom placed a light-up Nativity scene on our front lawn Surrounding Mary and Joseph and Jesus’ creche (left vacant until Christmas) were three large picking up and rearranging these plastic kings in new ways around the manger It was a life-size dollhouse that made me feel included in the great pageant of Jesus’ birth I would wager that the “three kings” have been familiar characters in your core Christmas memories as well Perhaps you were cast to play the part of Caspar Melchior or Balthazar in your church or school’s Nativity pageant And unlike Rudolph or the apocryphal little drummer boy the Magi can actually be found in the Scriptures We learn of their journey in the Gospel of Matthew So when we began to plot out this season of America’s podcast “Hark!: The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols,” I was very excited to feature the caroling classic “We Three Kings.” Besides its musical beauty and thrilling sense of wonder the song offers a treasure trove of stories to unwrap what can historians tell us about who these travelers from the East were As for the “star of wonder” they pursued—was it an astronomical phenomenon that scientists can trace today or was it a Christmas miracle we could address the butt of so many jokes and figure out why showering an infant with gold frankincense and myrrh made more sense than diapers and a Pack ’n Play Our deep dive into this carol and its main subjects did yield many answers which you can hear on our first episode of “Hark!” on Nov at the America Media website or wherever you listen to podcasts But after months of research and in-depth guest interviews I was left with an even larger question: Did the three wise men actually exist raising this question may feel blasphemous The first assumption many of us make is that the Magi were kings and that there were three of them a fair assumption given the popularity of our Christmas carol “We Three Kings” and the ubiquity of the image across Christian art but with a few added details—a star overhead and little “Phrygian hats” on the Magi which in Roman art was used to signify these were out-of-towners But nowhere in Matthew’s Nativity account does he mention their number And the Greek word he uses to name these gift-bearing figures is magoi which had a multitude of meanings in antiquity—from charlatans to wise men to royal advisors So what can we say about these mysterious figures who have played such an important role in children’s pageants and Christian devotion alike Matthew includes the Magi in his narrative in order to “validate the kingship of Jesus.” He uses their proximity to kings to make it clear that Herod the Great is not the true king of the Judeans and to highlight the political struggle between Jesus and the Roman empire And while this certainly isn’t Matthew’s only message he bookends his entire Gospel with this theme of Jesus’ kingship “So the only two points in the Gospel where Jesus is called the king of the Judeans,” Dr “is when the Magi come looking for him at the start and then also when he’s crucified.” As a scholar of early Christian literature Vanden Eykel isn’t concerned with proving or disproving the historical existence of the Magi but he does suspect they are most likely literary creations of Matthew really well with the overall story that you’re telling it’s likely that you probably embellish that.” Does it matter whether the Magi were real historical figures or literary creations of Matthew the Magi’s existence is not a cornerstone of our faith Catholics already understand Scripture to be a divinely inspired The church recognizes that within the Bible we find a rich spread of poetry With this appreciation of different literary genres we can say that something doesn’t need to be factually true in order to convey a central truth or profound expression of faith what a magnificent story the Magi bring to us each Christmas Producing the “We Three Kings” episode for “Hark!’ was like peeling an onion Layers upon layers of meaning unfolded as I made a study of the Magi the gifts they brought and the music they have inspired director of the Vatican Observatory and a modern stargazer about why the Star of Bethlehem has intrigued us for so long We can see something in the universe that is beautiful and seemingly eternal the story of the Magi and the star functions like any keepsake or memento from someone we love Although a picture or a locket cannot possibly contain the entire mystery it can remind us of the key moments and memories that made an everlasting impact on us And while I may not know exactly where the Magi originated and if the star they followed was a comet or a heliacal rising there is something that journeying with the Magi has taught me Perhaps it is not about pinning down answers but allowing ourselves to leave the old familiar ways behind so that we might be transformed by wonder Because “at the end of the day,” Brother Consolmagno reminded me “it’s the wonder itself that tells me that God is present.” Maggi Van Dorn is the senior audio producer for America Media and host and producer of the podcast “Hark The Stories Behind Our Favorite Christmas Carols.” The fourth season of “Hark!” begins on Nov with new episodes available every Sunday during Advent Password reset instructions will be sent to your registered email address As a frequent reader of our website, you know how important America’s voice is in the conversation about the church and the world. We can't do it without you—America Media relies on generous support from our readers. Please visit our membership page to learn how you can invest in our work by subscribing to the magazine or making a donation If you’re already a subscriber or donor, thank you! If you login and register your print subscription number with your account, you’ll have unlimited access to the website. Please contact us at members@americamedia.org with any questions has increased recentlyGunmen have attacked a convoy of trucks carrying uranium fuel to a nuclear power plant near the Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro The convoy came under attack as it drove past a community controlled by drug traffickers in Angra dos Reis Police escorting the convoy responded and a shootout followed The convoy reached the Angra 2 plant safely 20 minutes after the attack The attack in the Rio-Santos highway is the latest in a series of violent incidents in an area popular with visitors In 2017, a British woman was shot and wounded after her family's car drove by mistake into a community run by gangs The convoy was carrying uranium fuel fabricated in Resende one of the two nuclear power plants in Angra dos Reis The gunmen targeted the police officers that were part of the convoy as it passed the Frade community at around 12:00 local time on Tuesday (15:00 GMT) Brazil's federal highway police said in a statement "Sadly, attacks by criminals have become frequent in that area... Such a beautiful region, with great tourist demand has become a dangerous place," spokesman José Hélio Macedo was quoted by O Globo newspaper as saying. The uranium was being transported in armoured containers in a "natural state" and would not have offered any risk as it had the same level of radioactivity as when it is found in nature, Brazil's nuclear agency Eletronuclear said. The agency, however, said the convoy "had not been attacked by bandits" directly - it was passing in the area at the moment a shootout was happening. Some bandits scared by the heavy police presence shot at a police vehicle in the convoy, it added in a statement. Violence has increased in Angra dos Reis in recent years and heavily armed criminals are now present in once-peaceful communities, correspondents say. Reports say the shootout in Frade was a result of fighting between rival gangs. Angra dos Reis Mayor Fernando Jordão urged the state's government to improve security in the region. "We have nuclear plants here. It's a sensitive area." Log in for full access to stabroeknews.com Only one active session is allowed per subscriber  (Reuters) – Brazil’s government is divided over whether to complete its third nuclear power plant after 40 years of off-and-on construction as the country’s economic team have started to push for the project to be abandoned two sources familiar with the matter told Reuters rests with the National Energy Policy Council (CNPE) which postponed a ruling last year and is set to meet on Tuesday to discuss the plant It’s unclear if the issue will be resolved then located in the coastal town of Angra dos Reis began in the 1980s but has faced multiple stoppages due to funding shortages and a 2015 corruption probe A 2022 attempt to revive the project faltered The debate comes as President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva aims to position Latin America’s largest economy as a hub for green investment several countries have reconsidered nuclear energy in response to increasing demand for climate-friendly power Some argue that supporting nuclear energy undermines Brazil’s natural advantages in renewable sources such as wind But many experts consider nuclear a good alternative to thermal power “This is a tough battle,” said one economic team source speaking on condition of anonymity due to the private nature of the discussions “The main argument against it is the lack of funding Who will cut their budget to make room for this?” Energy Minister Alexandre Silveira is a major supporter of the project “We have to complete it,” he said last November calling Angra 3 a “mausoleum.” The Finance and Planning Ministries declined to comment The Mines and Energy Ministry did not respond to requests for comment A study by state development bank BNDES estimated that completing the plant would require 23 billion reais ($4 billion) on top of the 12 billion reais already spent the state-controlled company overseeing the project said five more years of construction are needed plus time for bidding and site mobilization BNDES estimated that scrapping the project would incur in 21 billion reais of costs including contract terminations and penalties for canceling subsidized financing But one source said the Finance Ministry has modeled scenarios where total costs could reach 30 billion reais and warned that electricity from the plant could drive up power bills Eletronuclear President Raul Lycurgo Leite told Reuters that his team plans to raise most of the required funds from the market “The worst infrastructure project is one that remains stalled,” he said noting that maintaining the unfinished Angra 3 site costs over 1 billion reais annually A FREE roundup of top news from Guyana you might otherwise miss Petrobras has extended the charter and service agreement for the FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis to continue operating in Tupi field at Santos Basin offshore Brazil until 2030 there will be upgrades to the FPSO to enhance production reliability and efficiency The FPSO currently has a production potential exceeding 50,000 barrels per day (bbl/d) the FPSO Cidade de Angra dos Reis was the first high-capacity FPSO to operate in the pre-salt layer of the Santos Basin Doaa is a staff writer with a Bachelor's Degree in Mass Communication majoring Journalism from Ahram Canadian University She has 2-3 years of experience in copywriting Get all latest content delivered to your email a few times a month Learn how to describe the purpose of the image (opens in a new tab) Leave empty if the image is purely decorative ' + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.webview_notification_text + ' " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_title + " " + scriptOptions._localizedStrings.redirect_overlay_text + " 43,000+ global companies doing business in the region. Analysis, reports, news and interviews about your industry in English, Spanish and Portuguese. Rigs and VesselsPetrobras extends charter agreement for first Tupi FPSOCidade de Angra dos Reis floater has been producing in Tupi since October 2010 The rainy season in Brazil began early in November 2021 including the passage of a subtropical cyclone over Bahia on 7 December 2021 caused flooding and landslides in southeastern Brazil The Brazilian Red Cross (BRC) launched this IFRC-DREF operation to respond to humanitarian needs in the state of Bahia and further rains affected other areas of the country (Petrópolis At the close of this operation a total of 174 municipalities in Bahia have declared a state of emergency In the period from November 2021 to May 2022 26people were killed and 520 injured by floods and rockslides According to the report of the Bahia State Superintendence of Protection and Civil Defence (Sudec) approximately 815,769 people have been affected by the floods in Bahia The main affected areas in the far south are in the municipalities of Medeiros Neto where the Brazilian Red Cross (CRB) carried out its response at the close of the operation and since the beginning of April a total of 449 of the 853 municipalities in Minas Gerais declared a state of emergency with a total of 24 deaths and more than 70,000 people displaced by the emergency In Petrópolis (city located in a valley mountainous region) 260 mm of water fell in only two hours causing landslides with 2,917 people affected rains affected the cities of Angra dos Reis and Paraty where the rainfall zone lies between forested mountains and the seacoast In neighbouring Angra dos Reis there were 11 deaths conducted damage assessments and needs analysis over the weekend of 10 December 2021 in Bahia and 17 January 2022 in Minas Gerais In Psychosocial support sessions for children each state and municipal institutions are working Bahia - Source: Brazilian Red Cross together on assistance and early recovery actions Emergency Operations Centres (EOC) established in Bahia and Minas Gerais have been actively involved in the EOC in Itamarajú in Bahia This IFRC-DREF allocation is covering the National Society's response actions and complementing the Federal Government's overall action plan Brazilian Red Cross response teams also responded in the newly affected areas through support to the Rio de Janeiro branch both Bahia and Minas Gerais have already emerged from the state of alert and all people have returned to their homes The usual services have been regularised and the roads are accessible The families whose houses had been totally destroyed have not returned to their homes; some are staying with relatives and friends while others are now living with the support of their State Governments in the form of "social rent" All the houses that were inspected and liberated have already received their families back there is a movement of reconstruction and repair of the houses in both the States of Bahia and Minas Gerais but sometimes we want to get away from the hustle and bustle of the city Here are the perfect destinations for that Rio de Janeiro full of attractions But we don’t always want to stay in the city That’s why it’s worth taking a trip to places that also have beautiful landscapes historic buildings and are close to the capital of Rio de Janeiro Check out 14 cities near Rio de Janeiro to visit The imperial city is one of the favorite destinations for those looking for cities near Rio de Janeiro to visit and relax Petrópolis is full of historical references and attractions the Quitandinha Palace and the Santos Dumont House Also in the mountainous region and neighboring Petrópolis a quieter destination and perfect for spending a weekend or more the city is a good choice for couples who want to get away from the routine Another tip is to practice physical activity in its many landscapes, with breathtaking viewpoints Nova Friburgo – or just Friburgo – is one of the cities close to Rio de Janeiro that you can’t miss on your itinerary If you want to get away from the hustle and bustle it’s worth visiting this place with its many panoramic landscapes Those who love shopping will also love this destination as it is well known for selling quality underwear at a great price take the opportunity to visit the districts near Friburgo Saquarema has become a very popular tourist destination for those who love the sport But even if you don’t have any familiarity with the board a getaway to this town is also an alternative for relaxing by the sea the small-town atmosphere prevails in Saquarema ideal for strolling around at dusk and grabbing a bite to eat in the little squares Cabo Frio is the largest city in the Lakes Region and therefore has an excellent infrastructure with hotels and inns for those who want to spend a few days off there explore the historic neighborhoods – such as Bairro da Passagem – and even visit the famous São Mateus Fort lookout for a privileged view of the city visiting Arraial do Cabo is like being in the Caribbean It’s no wonder the city is so famous paradisiacal waters enchant not only locals That’s why the tip is to take advantage of the low season to relax and enjoy every corner of the city To keep with the theme of popular destinations the destination has just the right amount of bustle and peace and quiet But beware: it is a historic region and a preserved area there is a maximum number of visitors that the island can accommodate it’s a delight to be in direct contact with nature with lots of greenery and enjoying the meeting of fresh and salt waters It’s impossible to resist the cobbled streets the colorful doors and windows and the charms of Paraty One of the cities close to Rio de Janeiro, on the State’s Green Coast is a real practical lesson for those who want to dive in and learn more about Brazil’s history It’s also a great destination for relaxing and has interesting options for all tastes – both for those who prefer a more urban atmosphere and for those who enjoy natural landscapes If your type of trip is more rustic and you want to completely disconnect from the noise of the big city This village is away from all the hustle and bustle and is one of the most popular destinations for those who like camping you can also find very intimate hotels and inns Waterfalls and a little music at the end of the day are part of the program On the border between Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais it’s worth taking a trip to Visconde de Mauá this town has a great atmosphere for enjoying the restaurants and taking refuge in the mountains you can explore the region’s green areas and bathe in its waterfalls The town of Penedo is known as Little Finland and This is because it was colonized by the Finns and to this day there is no shortage of references to the European country in its architecture and cuisine Extra tip: don’t leave without trying the chocolates Vassouras is less than 3 hours from Rio and the town is the perfect route for those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of “errejota” There are squares that have been the backdrops for soap operas viewpoints and a host of tourist and gastronomic attractions for anyone to enjoy Less than three hours from the capital, you’ll come across peaceful Macuco – the smallest town in Rio de Janeiro For those who love a country town atmosphere the tip is to stop by Praça Professor João Brasil a meeting point where the town’s events take place If Macuco is the smallest town of all, São José do Vale do Rio Preto is the one with the biggest name in Brazil! However, like all the others, this is an option for those who want to get away from the hustle and bustle of Rio de Janeiro. That’s because São José do Vale do Rio Preto is a charming, historic town that’s perfect for a few days of relaxation! The archipelago of 365 lush islands has been the playground for the country’s rich and famous for decades – more or less the same group that wines and dines in the Fasano hotels and restaurants in nearby São Paulo and Rio de Janeiro this tropical paradise had been difficult to experience for visitors not connected to the area’s notable yachting scene but this new development has changed all that.  the property was designed as an elegant Brazilian modern enclave warm woods and natural stone by duo Bernardes + Jacobsen (who now operate independently).  145 residences and a long list of amenities that includes And a new Fasano hotel wouldn’t be complete without a stunning new restaurant concept Building on the family’s 100+ years of gastronomic excellence Crudo specialises in sophisticated seafood dishes they will even pack an elegant picnic lunch for your private boat charter out to the islands Website escapism and design stories from around the world direct to your inbox VIEW GOOGLE MAPS Scott Mitchem is one of the longest-tenured Wallpaper* contributors joining the team in 1999 after attending Purdue University and moving to New York City from his hometown of Chicago later served as Brazil Editor-at-Large while living in São Paulo and is currently a contributing editor based in Miami and all things Brazil while working as an executive in design and real estate development and working towards a Master’s Degree at Georgetown University He has written for many other publications and was one of several authors who recently contributed to The Architecture of Studio MK27 a book by Rizzoli chronicling the history of the acclaimed Brazilian architecture studio founded by Marcio Kogan.  Gerard CouzensPublished: Invalid Date NEYMAR is set to buy his own £7million private island off the coast of Brazil The Saudi-based forward, who has been linked with a sensational return to former club Barcelona is said to be closing in on a deal to snap up Japao Private Island The six-acre tropical hideaway is located off the port town of Angra dos Reis in southwest Rio de Janeiro state It is situated in a bay that is home to more than 365 islands While its grounds feature a main Indonesian-style villa with two master suites and a koi fish pond and three sea-view bungalows Its Canadian owner is said to have sparked Neymar’s interest after slashing the asking price by more than £3million to get a quick sale Celebs who have stayed on the island in the past have included Neymar’s ex Bruna Marquezine. The luxury hideaway, which can accommodate up to 10 guests, can only be reached by boat or helicopter. The chopper ride from Rio de Janeiro’s International Airport takes around 35 minutes. The official island website describes it as being "a world of its own" adding: "In an archipelago of 365 islands we’ve mastered the art of standing out while blending in." One recent visitor said in an online review: “The sweeping views of the ocean and the mystical landscape of the island make this an incredibly special place to find some solitude.” Neymar already owns a six-bed mansion featuring its own helipad tennis court and jetty - situated an hour’s drive east of Angra dos Reis in the Green Coast paradise resort of Mangaratiba The mansion is built on a two-and-a-half acre plot in an upmarket gated estate called Portobello and as well as the helipad and jetty spa and heated jacuzzi - along with an underground cellar with space for 3,000 bottles of wine Brazilian putlet Em Off reported in December 2021 that the footballer had splashed out more than £2.5million to buy a glass-fronted palace on a private gated residential estate in an area called Alphaville near Sao Paulo It was described at the time as a seven-bed property with its own squash court panoramic lift between floors and enough space in the garage for 20 cars Neymar, 32, signed a two-year contract at Saudi Arabia’s Al-Hilal in August last year after six years with Paris Saint-Germain Reports earlier this week claimed that Barcelona are considering a shock move for their former forward - if they miss out on signing Manchester City star Erling Haaland first Our journalists strive for accuracy but on occasion we make mistakes. For further details of our complaints policy and to make a complaint please click this link: thesun.co.uk/editorial-complaints/ Brazil's Next Hot Neighborhood: São Paulo's Downtown District Brazil is one of three Latin American countries with nuclear power Now a heavily armed gang has brought the two together Fears over the security of Brazil’s two nuclear power plants have been raised after a heavily armed gang raided a secure workers’ condominium just a kilometre away and blew up two cash machines About 10 men held security guards hostage at around 3am on Monday robbed guests at a party in a private club then escaped in a waiting speedboat from the Praia Brava condominium for workers at the Angra 1 and 2 nuclear reactors It was the second incident in a month: on 9 December thieves exploded an ATM in the Mambucaba Condominium another security-controlled workers’ village 15km away from the plants near Angra dos Reis on the Rio de Janeiro state coastline a senior researcher at University College London’s Energy Institute said that the use of “explosives and modern weaponry close to any nuclear plant” was a cause for worry even if the explosion would not have caused direct damage to reactors “There are grave and increasing concerns about risk of attack to a nuclear plant across the world,” he said While reactors are encased in steel pressure vessels and layers of concrete high-level radioactive spent nuclear fuel ponds are at greater risk have less sophisticated safety systems than more modern plants “If someone was to throw a few explosions around you could imagine what would happen,” Dorfman said which is controlled by a private security firm “They were stunned,” said a relative of one family that lives in the condominium who spoke anonymously for fear of reprisals Local politicians have called for military protection for the area “It is an unbelievable situation,” said Thimoteo de Sá “This should be protected by the army at least – we are talking about a nuclear plant.” Eletronuclear closed cash machine at its four residential areas “The entire security force of the company in Angra was put on notice and the surveillance of the Angra nuclear power plant was reinforced,” it said Security at the plants is overseen by the federal government Argentina and Mexico are the only three Latin American countries with functioning nuclear power plants Brazil is believed to have had a nuclear weapons programme, though it is unclear if it ever actually developed a weapon, and it renounced the ambitions in 1990. Brazil still mines its own uranium and is building a nuclear-powered submarine with French help. Read moreAngra 1 and Angra 2 supply 3% of Brazil’s electricity began again in 2010 and ground to a halt again in 2015 after Eletronuclear officials were arrested as part of a sweeping corruption investigation Eletronuclear said it was looking for partners to finish Angra 3 and has signed memorandums of understanding with Russia’s state nuclear company Rosatom and the China National Nuclear Corporation Lying around 200km west of Rio de Janeiro, the “Green Coast” tourist area around Angra dos Reis has suffered from rising violent crime. In August, British tourist Eloise Dixon was shot and wounded when her family’s hire car drove into a community controlled by Rio drug gang the Red Command Police said the gang involved in the December ATM robberies targeted Santander bank cash machines because they have less sophisticated security systems “It is a gang specialised in this type of crime it operates in other states and it had support from a gang here in Rio,” said Mauricio Mendonça a detective from the Rio police’s robberies division Get our news on your inbox! Suscribe x MercoPress, en Español Montevideo, May 5th 2025 - 12:40 UTC The number of casualties left behind by heavy rains that hit the Brazilian State of Rio de Janeiro between late Friday and early Saturday has gone up to 17 ten bodies were retrieved after succumbing to a mudslide First-responders were still searching for the missing people Monday; four in Angra dos Reis and one in Paraty was admitted in a very serious condition at the Adão Pereira Nunes State Hospital in Duque de Caxias where he was reportedly placed under mechanical breathing support Paraty's City Council brought forward the mid-year school winter recess to April 4 through 18 and also canceled off-season carnival events scheduled for this month The City Hall of Angra dos Reis declared a state of emergency Saturday due to the historic rainfalls recorded in 48 hours in Araçatiba The federal government has endorsed all measures adopted by local authorities “With the recognition of the emergency situation we will speed up the release of resources for humanitarian assistance and rebuilding the destroyed public infrastructure We will overcome yet another challenge in the state of Rio de Janeiro we have come to bring support to the bereaved families,” said National Secretary of Protection and Civil Defense Col Alexandre Lucas in a statement after overflying the affected areas in a Navy helicopter President Jair Bolsonaro Monday visited the Monsuaba neighborhood in Angra dos Reis According to the Federal Highway Police (PRF) there are six points of total interdiction on the Rio-Santos highway (BR-101) in Mangaratiba There are still several points with partial interdiction The PRF recommends that drivers avoid driving through the region Another municipality that declared an emergency on Saturday was Nova Iguaçu where the overflow of rivers - such as the Botas - caused flooding in various parts of the city The federal government also announced Monday the emergency release through the Ministry of Regional Development (MDR) of R$ 2.4 million (US$ 522,284) for the city of Angra dos Reis The funds will be used to buy food baskets in addition to cleaning and sleeping kits for some 86,000 evacuees Regional Development Minister Daniel Ferreira is due to visit Angra dos Reis and Paraty on Tuesday to set up the guidelines and procedures for the reconstruction of housing units destroyed by natural disasters a meeting will be held with the local town hall to discuss disaster response actions a team from the National Civil Defense is in Angra dos Reis to support the affected population and assist municipal managers in applying for federal resources Lucas has already held meetings with Rio de Janeiro Governor Cláudio Castro and Angra dos Reis Mayor Fernando Jordão Financial relief measures were also announced Monday by Caixa Econômica Federal announced to support Angra dos Reis the Caixa truck-agency is moving to Angra dos Reis The mobile service unit will operate from 8 am to 4 pm providing essential services to the population The mobile unit offers the same services as a branch such as assistance to beneficiaries of the federal government's Brazil Allowance; assistance to beneficiaries of the Salary Allowance; payment of FGTS; granting of credit; help in using the bank's applications Cash transactions will be available through an ATM The bank also pledged to make up a technical team of architects and engineers to assist the municipalities “The municipalities will have Caixa's technical support to survey the damage and estimate costs for the recovery of ongoing works or buildings affected among others of great impact to the population,” said the bank The latest floods and landslides came six weeks after flash floods and mudslides killed 233 people in the scenic city of Petropolis the Brazilian empire’s 19th-century summer capital Commenting for this story is now closed.If you have a Facebook account, become a fan and comment on our Facebook Page Halley's Comet to set off meteor shower Monday night Soggy South Central states: Intense downpours to renew flooding risk Second arrest made in one of New Jersey’s largest wildfires Study reveals the surprising evolution of weirdest animals on Earth Coyote drinks from Los Angeles salon's skylight The REAL ID deadline is less than a week away Fungi could be used to build homes one day Get AccuWeather alerts as they happen with our browser notifications.