Turmoil set aside amid carnival atmosphere at Olympics opening ceremony

There was no shortage of samba, culture, diversity and history at last night’s opening ceremony for the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro as Brazil proudly showcased its traditions and environmental wonders.

Millions of television viewers from around the world watched the three-hour ceremony, as the country reels from political and economic turmoil.

Since the event was unable to avoid the issues that are gripping Brazil — a president facing impeachment, a deep recession and environmental threats — organisers made sure that global warming and the environment, especially the country’s magnificent Amazon rainforest, were important parts of the opening ceremony.