Gangs Down Police Chopper as Rio Burns

Rocinha slum called vital for World Cup, Olympic security

(NEWSER) - Upwards of 2,000 members of the Brazilian police and military, backed by armored vehicles and helicopters, swept through Rio's biggest slum before dawn today, in the biggest anti-gang action since last November , reports the AP . But unlike the previous raid, which was precipitated by a rash of gang violence, this time authorities were able to plan their operations carefully, and there was little violence. They also captured the city's most-wanted drug trafficker during Thursday preparations for the raid. More»

Crackdown on longtime crime center

(NEWSER) - Hundreds of Brazilian police stormed a Rio slum today in a war-zone scene aimed at reclaiming longtime gang turf ahead of the city's 2016 Olmpiad, reports the AP. Backed by helicopters and armored vehicles, the police said they quickly overran several hundred gang members and seized huge stashes of guns and drugs. "We won," said a police spokesman. "We brought freedom to the residents of Alemao." More»

City begins long cleanup ahead of 2016 Olympics

(NEWSER) - Now that Brazil has won its bid for the 2016 Olympics, the housecleaning has begun. Police mounted intense raids on shantytowns that have been co-opted as operating bases by gangs. Ten suspected criminals were killed in gunfights with police, the AP reports. The overall plan is to push the gangs out of 40 shantytowns—RIo has more than 1,000 distinct slums—by 2014, when the city is to host the World Cup. More»

Brazil has some serious cleaning to get ready for 2016 Olympics

(NEWSER) - Rio de Janeiro waltzed into Copenhagen on Friday, elbowed a couple of superpowers aside, whispered in the IOC's ear, and made off with the 2016 Olympics. But now in the cold light of day, Brazil has some serious roll-up-the-sleeves work to do. Its onetime oceanside gem now hangs on a dilapidated infrastructure and is riddled with crime. More»

(AP) - The 2016 Olympics are going to Rio de Janeiro, putting the games in South America for the first time. Rio beat surprise finalist Madrid in the last round of voting today in Copenhagen. Chicago was knocked out in the first round, Tokyo in the second. Rio had played heavily on the fact that South America has never previously hosted the games, while Europe, Asia and North America have done so repeatedly. More»