State of emergency declared in Rio de Janeiro and megacity Sao Paulo.

Firefighters and rescue dogs on Wednesday continued to search through smouldering rubble for bodies after an abandoned government building that had been occupied by squatters, caught fire and collapsed in Sao Paulo.

Brazil's Globo TV spoke to 40 gymnasts and former gymnasts who said Fernando de Carvalho Lopes had abused them while they were minors.

An abandoned high-rise building occupied by squatters in downtown Sao Paulo caught fire and collapsed Tuesday, sending chunks of fiery debris crashing into neighbouring buildings and surrounding streets.

At least one person has died and several others are missing after a 26-floor building in Brazil's largest city caught fire.

Multi-story building plunges to the ground in centre of Brazilian city.

Supporters blocked cars and tore down a gate after he announced he would turn himself him

Brazil's former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva was taken into police custody after defying a court order to turn himself to authorities on Friday.

Lula da Silva could go to prison within days on a corruption conviction. Incarceration would prevent him standing in October's presidential election.

Fernando Henrique Cardoso talks about the level of corruption in Brazil and how the legal system is fighting against it

Lula da Silva's lawyers argued that he should have been allowed to stay out of jail until all appeals were heard

Brazil's ex-president could face jail within a week.

Brazil's Supreme Court ruled early on Thursday that leftist former president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva must start serving a 12-year prison sentence for taking bribes, denying his plea to remain free until he has exhausted all possible appeals.

Brazil's Supreme court to rule on bail application

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is still the frontrunner for October's presidential election despite facing a lengthy prison sentence on corruption and money laundering charges

Performers drop to the ground at the sound of a gunshot, others shout "dignity" and "equality" as they run through the crowd gathered to watch the show.

Shootout in favela aired live on Brazilian TV sums up lack of progress since military took control of security in Rio last month.

Brazil's top court has narrowly decided that former President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva will not have to go to prison on a corruption conviction until he exhausts all possible appeals.

Marielle Franco was an outspoken critic of police killings of poor residents.