Ministers resign as EU turns screw on Greece
The streets of Rio de Janeiro were calmer yesterday, just hours after police officers went on strike and a week before glittering Carnival celebrations that typically draw 800,000 tourists were due to start.
Authorities said 14,000 army soldiers stood at the ready to patrol Rio’s streets, but as yet their patrols were not needed.
How the city handles the crisis this week could have international repercussions, as Rio prepares to host the 2014 World Cup and the 2016 Olympic Games.
It was not clear how many of Rio’s 58,000 police and firefighters walked out. Union officials expected anywhere from 50 per cent to 70 per cent to join the strike.