Police and gangs exchange fire in Brazil

RIO DE JANEIRO - Brazilian police shot dead five suspected gang members in a Rio de Janeiro slum on Saturday and yesterday exchanged fire with drug traffickers who tried to attack a police station.

The shootouts followed a wave of bloodshed unleashed by drug gangs on Friday, when 18 people died, including seven passengers burned alive on a bus torched by assailants.

Heavy security will safeguard the New Year Copacabana beach party.

- REUTERS