The article provides an overview of the Rio Carnival events as of February 18, highlighting the significant achievements of the Viradouro group, which has won 3 out of the last 6 carnivals. The piece emphasizes Viradouro's success, achieving first place in every category during the evaluation, showcasing their dominant return in this year's competition. Additionally, it highlights a tribute to the master of percussion, known affectionately as 'Ciça', by Viradouro, marking a cultural connection to the Brazilian music tradition.

Another key focus of the article is the controversy surrounding the Acadêmicos de Niterói school, which faced relegation after publicly honoring President Lula. The report indicates a tough evaluation process, where the most stringent judge assigned low scores, illustrating the competitive and sometimes politically charged atmosphere of the carnival festivities. The implications of this decision reveal the intertwined nature of politics and culture in Brazil, as schools navigate the potential backlash of political tributes within a traditionally festive environment.

The article wraps up with mentions of other related news, such as the confirmation of Virginia's continued role as queen of the Grande Rio group, the illegal sale of slimming pens by laboratories and pharmacies, and the economic implications for Banco Pleno, which reportedly has 160,000 creditors waiting for a total of R$ 4.9 billion in guarantees. These aspects reflect the broad scope of issues associated with the carnival season, extending into social, economic, and political realms in Brazil, thereby emphasizing the carnival's significance beyond mere festivities.