Brazil’s largest city, Sao Paulo, has just witnessed the massacre of 19 men in the space of three hours. Ten of the men were in a bar when masked men entered and asked who had criminal records. Those that replied with a yes were shot to death. Within the next few hours nine more men were shot dead. While the head of Sao Paulo’s police surmised that it may have been the activity of drug gangs, others are pointing towards the police themselves.
Recently two policemen in Sao Paulo were killed in the line of duty. This blood-letting may have been a reprisal action. Amnesty International is calling the incident a massacre and pointing out that it is not as unusual as it should be. “ Roque, who heads the organization's Brazil branch, said "unfortunately massacres like this one in Sao Paulo have become part of the routine of violence in our cities."ABC News The problem of violent crime is not confined to Sao Paulo. The World Health Organization places Brazil in the top 20 for intentional killings. The drug trade and alcoholism is blamed as motives for many homicides. Other criminal activities are common in Brazil’s cities. Carjacking, pickpockets, bag snatching and kidnapping in order to make the victim access an ATM are all common in the cities. Of lesser interest to tourists is the rate of corruption. Brazil is rated at 43 in the listings, tied with Bulgaria and Greece. That is unless you are required to pay a fine that is exactly the same amount as your daily limit at an ATM machine. Sources: Al Jazeera ABC News Wikipedia Rough Guides Government of Canada
3 Comments
The sprinters had been waiting for two weeks for their moment of glory and a hotly contested sprint was won by Andre Griepel, Lotto. He described it as the biggest win of his career and he is no stranger to success.
Even before the final bell on today’s race plans are being laid down for the 2016 TDF. Next year the start will be in France near Utah Beach. Some riders will be looking for new contracts in the meantime. Some have new contracts to negotiate. Richie Porte who is currently with Sky has announced that he will be leaving that team. Speculation has it that he is moving to BMC but that cannot be confirmed at this time. Team Europcar has announced that they will not be sponsoring a professional cycling team next season. Stage 21 Standing General Classification 1. Andre Griepel, Lotto 1. Chris Froome, Sky 2. Bryan Coquard, Europcar 2. Nairo Quintana, Movistar 3. Alexander Kristoff, Katusha 3. Alejandro Valverde, Movistar 4. Edvald Boassen Hagen, Qhubeka 4. Vincenzo Nibali, Astana 5. Arnaud Demare, FDJ 5. Alberto Contador, Tinkoff 198 riders started the three week race, 160 finished it. For excellent background information on the Tour de France both VeloNews and Le Tour are good sources.
Stage 19 Standings General Classification
1. Vincenzo Nibali, Astana 1. Chris Froome, Sky 2. Nairo Quintana, Movistar 2. Nairo Quintana, Movistar 3. Chris Froome, Sky 3. Alejandro Valverde, Movistar 4. Thibaut Pinot, FDJ 4. Vincenzo Nibali, Astana 5. Romain Bardet, AG2R 5. Alberto Contador, Tinkoff There are other races than the final GC status. The best young rider award is given to the rider under aged 25 years. It looks as if Nairo Quintana will continue to claim that status. Peter Sagan, Tinkoff, looks to be continuing in the green jersey of most points accrued. Romain Bardet and Chris Froome will have to duke it out tomorrow on the slopes of the Alps for King of the Mountain and Team Movistar looks as if it has a lock on the top team classification. It has been traditional that the peloton comes together in companionship on the 21st day of the race. The GC riders traditionally do not compete against one another. That does not mean that it is a ho hum stage. Once the mob reaches Paris, the pace quickens and the sprinters jockey for position to be the first to cross the finish line. With the cobble stones on the Champs d’Elysees rattling the skinny tires on the racing bikes, the unexpected is to be expected. For full statistics and background try Le Tour and VeloNews
The long swoop down the Col du Glandon which took a fraction of the time to climb it, looked scary to someone who used to apply the brakes on little hills, but former cycling star Jens Vogt said on the TV coverage that it was not bad at all and that at least the riders, “Don’t risk falling down the cliff edge.”
After the descent of the Col du Glandon, the pack had a seventh climb to the finish. It was only 3.5 km of climbing compressed into 17 switchbacks. Stage 18 Standings General Classification 1. Romain Bardet, AG2R 1. Chris Froome, Sky 2. Pierre Roland, Europcar 2. Nairo Quintana, Movistar 3. Winner Anacona, Movistar 3. Alejandro Valverde, Movistar 4. Bob Jungles, Trek 4. Geraint Thomas, Sky 5. Jakob Fulsand, Astana 5. Alberto Contador, Tinkoff Stage 19 they do it all again Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne to La Toussuire-Les Sybelles. Further reading: Velo News Le Tour
Quintana rode away from the big GC contenders at the 5 km to go mark and was never caught by Froome who crossed the finish today 1’20” behind Quintana.
It is traditional that the GC riders do not attack each other on the 21st day. The sprinters will be fighting it out for the stage victory in Paris. Quintana will be taking the white, best young rider, second place on the podium and the yellow helmet for his part in the best team competition. In order to claim the final prizes, the riders must complete the ride tomorrow. Stage 20 standings General Classification 1. Thibaut Pinot, FDJ 1. Chris Froome, Sky 2. Nairo Quintana, Movistar 2. Nairo Quintana, Movistar 3. Ryder Hesjedal, Garmin 3. Alejandro Valverde, Movistar 4. Alejandro Valverde, Movistar 4. Vincenzo Nibali, Astana 5. Chris Froome, Sky 5. Alberto Contador, Tinkoff The grande finale is a flat stage for the sprinters from Sevres to Paris with the dramatic circuit on the Champs d’Elysees. For full race statistics take a looke at Le Tour and VeloNews |
Barbara McPherson
Blogger, gardener, farmer. Working toward food security and a 30 foot
diet. Addicted to reading. Love this planet, especially my little corner
on Vancouver Island, Canada Archives
October 2016
Categories
All
|