A large fire has destroyed Samba City, a part of Rio de Janeiro where costumes and floats for the city's famed carnival are being made, media reports said on Monday.

An estimated 800 Brazilian Army parachutists were Friday occupying the main routes of access to the complexo do alemao slum in Rio de Janeiro, where 200 alleged criminals fled for refuge after a raid

At least 21 people have been killed and 153 arrested in four days of clashes between drug gangs and Brazilian security forces in Rio de Janeiro, the police said.

Brazil coach Dunga and his entire coaching staff were sacked on Sunday following the team’s World Cup quarterfinal exit, a statement from the Brazilian football confederation (CBF) said.

Brazil coach Dunga has been sacked following the team’s World Cup quarter-final exit with charismatic Luiz Felipe Scolari, who won the title in 2002, immediately being tipped to take over.

The only major star in Brazil’s current national team, Kaka wants to have “his” World Cup in South Africa.