Rio de Janeiro

A man pedals a swan paddle boat in a flooded parking lott in front of the Rio de Janeiro's landmark Rodrigo de Freitas lagoon Rio de Janeiro, on April 6, 2010. Flooding from torrential rains and deadly mudslides claimed at least 77 lives in Brazil's Rio de Janeiro state, authorities said Tuesday. Civil defense officials said about half of the fatalities occurred in Rio de Janeiro city, where authorities urged residents to remain indoors and not venture downtown, where streets were impassable.

(L-R) Rio de Janeiro 2016 President Carlos Nuzman, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro Sergio Cabral pose with a plate after Rio de Janiero was announced as the winning bid for the 2016 Olympic games, on October 2, 2009 in Copenhagen. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted in Rio as the 2016 Summer Olympic city today after a final round battle in Copenhagen.

Social workers of Rio de Janeiro's Subprefecture north area walk on a street of Vila Cruzeiro shantytown on November 29, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Brazilian law enforcement agencies celebrated victory Monday after an anti-drug raid on a sprawling Rio slum.

(L-R) Rio de Janeiro 2016 President Carlos Nuzman, Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva and Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro Sergio Cabral pose with a plate after Rio de Janiero was announced as the winning bid for the 2016 Olympic games, on October 2, 2009 in Copenhagen. The International Olympic Committee (IOC) voted in Rio as the 2016 Summer Olympic city today after a final round battle in Copenhagen.

Young dancers from Rio de Janeiro favelas perform during the dance biennale in Lyon on September 24, 2010. The twelve young dancers who were brought together by Brazilian choreographer Deborah Colker have had their first taste of performing for an international audience and the hope is that they will flourish into professional dancers from their disadvantaged background.

Young dancers from Rio de Janeiro favelas perform during the dance biennale in Lyon on September 24, 2010. The twelve young dancers who were brought together by Brazilian choreographer Deborah Colker have had their first taste of performing for an international audience and the hope is that they will flourish into professional dancers from their disadvantaged background.

A peanut vendor in Rio de Janeiro reads a newspaper a day after general elections in Brazil, on October 4, 2010. Dilma Rousseff, the woman President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva wants to succeed him in office, faces a runoff vote after falling unexpectedly short of outright victory in Brazil's presidential election. Roussef needed 50-percent-plus-one to avoid an October 31 knockout round against former Sao Paulo state governor Jose Serra -- a vote all pre-election surveys said she should have been able to avoid.

Young dancers from Rio de Janeiro favelas perform during the dance biennale in Lyon on September 24, 2010. The twelve young dancers who were brought together by Brazilian choreographer Deborah Colker have had their first taste of performing for an international audience and the hope is that they will flourish into professional dancers from their disadvantaged background.

A man in Rio de Janeiro reads a newspaper with a picture of President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva a day after general elections in Brazil, on October 4, 2010. Dilma Rousseff, the woman Lula da Silva wants to succeed him in office, faces a runoff vote after falling unexpectedly short of outright victory in Brazil's presidential election. Roussef needed 50-percent-plus-one to avoid an October 31 knockout round against former Sao Paulo state governor Jose Serra -- a vote all pre-election surveys said she should have been able to avoid.

A military police helicopter with a Rio de Janeiro flag overflies Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 28, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After days of preparation, Brazilian security forces early Sunday launched a raid against a slum where between 500 and 600 drug traffickers are holed up and refuse to surrender. About 2,600 airborne troops, marines and members of elite police units were taking part in the operation targeting a lawless group of slums dubbed Complexo de Alemao. The operation has so far killed 35 people.

Brazilian Army soldiers are deployed on Itarare road preparing an operation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex to give in and warned them that they could invade the place when the night falls. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian Army soldiers cross Itarare road preparing an opperation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex and warned it could invade the place when the night falls if they don't give in. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Residents of the Morro do Alemao shantytown leave their homes on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex to give in and warned them that they could invade the place when the night falls. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian Army soldiers cross Itarare road preparing an operation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex to give in and warned them that they could invade the place when the night falls. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian Army soldiers cross Itarare road preparing an opperation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex to give in and warned them that they could invade the place when the night falls. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian Army soldiers cross Itarare road preparing an operation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex and warned it could invade the place when the night falls if they don't give in. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian Army soldiers remain in their positions preparing an operation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex to give in and warned them that they could invade the place when the night falls. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva speaks during a press conference with Rio de Janeiro's Foreign Press Association on December 3, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Lula Da Silva ends his presidential period on January 1, 2011.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, flanked by unidentified officials, reacts in Copenhagen on October 2, 2009 after the announcement that Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will host the 2016 Olympic Games following a vote by the International Olympic Committee. Rio de Janeiro's dream of bringing the Olympics to South America for the first time became reality on OCtober 2, 2009 when they won the vote to host the 2016 editionAFP PHOTO- POOL- Charles Dharapak.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (L), Rio 2016 bid President Carlos Arthur Nuzman (C) and Brazilian football legend Pele (R) celebrate with their delegation after it was announced that Rio de Janeiro has won the bid to host the 2016 Summer Olympic Games at the 121st International Olympic Committee session in the Bella Center in Copenhagen on October 2, 2009. Rio de Janeiro's dream of bringing the Olympics to South America for the first time became reality on October 2, 2009 when they won the vote to host the 2016 edition.

Jose Serra, presidential candidate for the Partido Socialista Democratico Brasileiro (PSDB) party for next October's election, gestures during a presentation of the upcoming Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016 plans, at the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) headquarters, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 21, 2010.

Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (R) and his French counterpart Nicolas Sarkozy stand side-by-side during an EU-Brazil Business summit to focus on the global economic crisis and climate change on December 22, 2008 at Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro. The trip to Rio de Janeiro is also Sarkozy's final act as EU president. From January that six-month rotating position goes to the Czech Republic.

A military police helicopter with a Rio de Janeiro flag overflies Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 28, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. After days of preparation, Brazilian security forces early Sunday launched a raid against a slum where between 500 and 600 drug traffickers are holed up and refuse to surrender. About 2,600 airborne troops, marines and members of elite police units were taking part in the operation targeting a lawless group of slums dubbed Complexo de Alemao. The operation has so far killed 35 people.

Jose Serra, presidential candidate for the Partido Socialista Democratico Brasileiro (PSDB) party for next October's election, gestures during a presentation of the upcoming Olympic Games Rio de Janeiro 2016 plans, at the Brazilian Olympic Committee (COB) headquarters, in Rio de Janeiro, on July 21, 2010.

Brazilian Army soldiers patrol Itarare road preparing an operation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex to give in and warned them that they could invade the place when the night falls. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian Army soldiers patrol Itarare road preparing an operation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex to give in and warned them that they could invade the place when the night falls. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian Army soldiers cross Itarare road preparing an operation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex to give in and warned them that they could invade the place when the night falls. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian Army soldiers are deployed on Itarare road preparing an operation at Morro do Alemao shantytown on November 27, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. Rio de Janeiro's police gave an ultimatum to 500 drug dealers hidden in Alemao complex to give in and warned them that they could invade the place when the night falls. Rio's slums saw sporadic violence on Friday as hundreds of soldiers and police joined a widening crackdown on drug gangs that has killed at least 35 people in less than a week. Earlier this week, police forced gang members out of the Vila Cruzeiro slum with the aid of tank-like M113 armored personnel carriers, but scores of armed men scrambled up the hills toward the Morro do Alemao favela.

Brazilian presidential candidate Jose Serra (L) for the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), shakes hands with the candidate for the Green Party (PV), Marina Silva, during a TV debate in Rio de Janeiro, on September 30, 2010. Candidates vying for Brazil's presidency spent Thursday, the last day campaigning before the weekend election, in an intense battle to rustle up last-minute votes.

Brazilian presidential candidate for the Workers' Party (PT), Dilma Rousseff (bottom) listens as the presidential candidate for the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), Jose Serra (top, on screen), speaks during a TV debate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2010. Presidential elections will take place next October 3 in Brazil.

Brazilian presidential candidates (L-R), Plinio Arruda Sampaio for the Socialism and Liberty Party (PSOL), Jose Serra for the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), Dilma Rousseff for the Workers' Party (PT), and Marina Silva for the Green Party (PV), participate of a TV debate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2010. Presidential elections will take place next October 3 in Brazil.

Brazilian presidential candidate for the Workers' Party (PT), Dilma Rousseff (L), speaks next to the presidential candidate for the Green Party (PV) Marina Silva, during a TV debate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2010. Presidential elections will take place next October 3 in Brazil.

Brazil's President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shows his hands, dirty with the first extraction of pre-salt oil, at the Petrobras platform RJS660/Angra dos Reis on the Tupi oil field basin, 300 km from Rio de Janeiro in the Atlantic Ocean on October 28, 2010.

Brazil's President Luis Inacio Lula da Silva whoops for joy showing his hands dirty with the first extraction of pre-salt oil at the Petrobras platform RJS660/Angra dos Reis on the Tupi oil field basin, 300 km from Rio de Janeiro in the Atlantic ocean on October 28, 2010.

Brazilian presidential candidates, Jose Serra (R) for the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), and Dilma Rousseff (L) for the Workers' Party (PT), kiss before a TV debate in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 26, 2010. Presidential elections will take place next October 3 in Brazil.

Brazil's presidential candidate for the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), Jose Serra, poses for pictures before the last televised debate against the candidate for the ruling Workers' Party (PT), Dilma Rousseff, at Globo TV in Rio de Janeiro, on October 29, 2010. The ruling party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff Sunday, Dilma Rousseff, is poised for victory, according to polls giving her an unassailable lead over opposition rival Jose Serra.

Brazil's presidential candidate Jose Serra (C), of the Social Democratic Party of Brazil, greets supporters during a rally in Campo Grande, 55 km from Rio de Janeiro's downtown, on October 20, 2010. Serra and rival Dilma Rousseff of the ruling Workers' Party, will face on October 31 in the run-off election.

Brazil's presidential candidates Dilma Rousseff (R), for the ruling Workers' Party (PT), and Jose Serra, for the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), wait for the beginning of the last televised debate, at Globo TV in Rio de Janeiro, on October 29, 2010. The ruling party candidate in Brazil's presidential runoff Sunday, Dilma Rousseff, is poised for victory, according to polls giving her an unassailable lead over opposition rival Jose Serra.

Brazilian citizens vote at the parking of a building in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on October 31, 2010 . Polling stations opened at 8:00 am (1000 GMT), with Brazil's 135 million voters called out to make a choice between Rousseff, Lula's 62-year-old former cabinet chief, and her opposition rival, former Sao Paulo state governor Jose Serra, 68.

Citizens line up to vote at a polling station in Rocinha shantytown in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 3, 2010. Ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff looked poised to sweep to victory in Brazil's presidential election Sunday, as voters rallied to her pledge to continue the policies of her mentor, popular outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Brazilian President, Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva (C), is greeted by supporters in the Morro do Alemao shantytown in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on October 25, 2010. Lula took part in the handing out of keys to houses, given to low-income families that lost their homes in the strong rains that affected the area last April.

Citizens line up to vote at a polling station in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 3, 2010. Ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff looked poised to sweep to victory in Brazil's presidential election Sunday, as voters rallied to her pledge to continue the policies of her mentor, popular outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

A citizen votes at a polling station in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 3, 2010. Ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff looked poised to sweep to victory in Brazil's presidential election Sunday, as voters rallied to her pledge to continue the policies of her mentor, popular outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

A family watches on TV the presidential debate between Brazilian presidential candidates Jose Serra, of the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB) and Dilma Rousseff of the Workers' Party (PT), in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 10, 2010. Brazil's presidential elections run-off will take place on October 31.

A man dozes by the entrance door of a bank office, closed because of the national strike in demand of a 11 percent pay raise that started three days ago, in downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 1, 2010.

Jose Serra (R), presidential candidate for the Brazilian Social Democratic Party (PSDB), speaks to the press in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on October 19, 2010. Serra and rival Dilma Rousseff, of the ruling Workers' Party (PT), will face on October 31 in the run-off election.

Citizens line up to vote at a polling station in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, October 3, 2010. Ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff looked poised to sweep to victory in Brazil's presidential election Sunday, as voters rallied to her pledge to continue the policies of her mentor, popular outgoing President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva.

Brazilian presidential candidate for the Workers' Party (PT), Dilma Rousseff, speaks during a press conference in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil on September 30, 2010. Candidates vying for Brazil's presidency spent Thursday, the last day campaigning before the weekend election, in an intense battle to rustle up last-minute votes. Although the race appeared to be a foregone conclusion, with all polls predicting victory for the ruling party candidate Dilma Rousseff, 62, the challengers' goal was to weaken her lead by enough to force a runoff on October 31.

The Christ the Redeemer statue is illuminated by visual effects created by Brazilian moviemaker Fernando Salis, on October 20, 2010 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, part of a campaign against childhood sexual exploitation. The statue is 39.6 metres (130 ft) tall, including its 9.5 meter (31 ft) pedestal, and is located at the peak of the 700-metre (2,300 ft) Corcovado mountain in the Tijuca Forest National Park overlooking the city.

Brazilian presidential candidate for the Green Party Marina Silva is greeted by supporters as she campaigns in Central do Brazil train station downtown Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on September 29, 2010. Brazil's general elections will take place on October 3.