BRAZIL

Police Strike Threatens Carnival

As killings spike before annual street celebration.

Brazil has been reeling from a ten-day police strike that has seen a spike in murders in the northeast region, just ahead of its yearly display of outlandish parties and costumes celebrating Carnival. In Rio de Janeiro, to the south, police voted to strike Thursday night—leaving officials worried that they might have to cancel Carnival, which is due to start in just over a week. As police picketed for higher wages, the government weighed deploying troops on the streets of Rio. Police have agreed to minimal work during their walkout, but the strike heightens fear for security breaches because the city of over six million is due to swell with tourists next week.