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Brazil calls in elite police officers

Riot police take positions during a protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Tuesday, June 18. Demonstrations began in response to <a href='http://www.cnn.com/2013/06/18/world/americas/brazil-protests/'>plans to increase fares for Brazil’s public transportation system</a> but have broadened into wider protests over economic and social issues plaguing the country.” border=”0″ height=”360″ id=”articleGalleryPhoto001″ style=”margin:0 auto;” width=”640″/><cite style=Riot police take positions during a protest in Sao Paulo, Brazil, on Tuesday, June 18. Demonstrations began in response to plans to increase fares for Brazil’s public transportation system but have broadened into wider protests over economic and social issues plaguing the country.

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Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • NEW: State of Sao Paulo reverses bus fare hike
  • Main organizers say the protesters will take a break, but hit the streets again Thursday
  • Politicians have bent under the pressure, but protesters are not satisfied
  • “The money is there” for social programs, protest spokeswoman says

Are you witnessing the protests in Brazil? Share your images and videos with CNN iReport.

Sao Paulo, Brazil (CNN) — After a chorus of cries for social justice echoed through the streets of Brazil for days, protesters called for a time out Wednesday. Despite the anticipated lull in street marches, the government will beef up security with the deployment of elite police officers and firefighters.

The protests, which started over a hike in bus fares, have had some effect.

On Wednesday, the state of Sao Paulo announced that the hike in bus fares would be reversed, state media reported.

In addition, a handful of states have passed laws to lower the price of a city bus ticket since protests began, and politicians elsewhere showed signs of bending to the public pressure, saying they may also notch fares back down.

Read: Who does the World Cup benefit?

Sao Paulo Mayor Fernando Haddad had earlier warned that eliminating the fare hikes would mean less investment in other areas, but in the end erased the increases.

Not satisfied

Protesters say the poorest are being short-changed while the government spends the large bills on new stadiums and glitzy infrastructure for the soccer World Cup Brazil is hosting next year and the Olympic Games coming in 2016.

They complain that corruption is driving up the costs.

Read: ‘The man who made a nation cry’

The country’s investment in those projects includes money for health and public transportation, Deputy Sports Minister Luis Fernandes has said.

“There is absolutely nothing contradictory between organizing a World Cup and investing in health and education,” he said.

But such assurances have not been enough for protesters, who will crank marches back up Thursday. Tens of thousands have confirmed online that they will take to the streets once more cry to out against high taxes and living costs, and for better health care and better education.

Bigger, more festive

Wednesday’s day off is nothing out of the ordinary for Brazilian protesters, who also took Saturday and Sunday off. But it stands in glaring contrast to the loud, voluminous demonstrations that reverberated across several cities a day earlier.

Crowds originally protesting bus fares grew into multitudes decrying social injustice on Tuesday as broad avenues filled to capacity for blocks.

There were over 200,000 confirmed participants, according to the main organizer, the Free Fare Movement.

The protests come amid the soccer Confederations Cup tournament, a friendly array of matches, in which the host country, Brazil, plays against a small group of national teams from around the globe. The cup serves as a precursor to the World Cup.

The National Force, made up of specially trained firefighters and police officers, will deploy to states hosting the games, the Ministry of Justice said late Tuesday.

The government has stressed that the force’s mission is to mediate and not repress.

Brazil’s president, Dilma Rousseff, told peaceful protesters Tuesday that their message was being heard.

She praised them as active participants in democracy and said her government is committed to “social transformation.”

Police for the most part stood back, and the atmosphere has grown festive and loud, with throngs singing and beating drums.

Are you there? Share photos or video, but stay safe

“It actually reminded me of Carnival in Rio,” protester Fernando Jones said. “All along the avenue, people supporting the cause kept switching their lights on and off in their offices and shouting their support from the windows.”

Path of rubble

But hidden in the peaceful multitudes were bands of rowdies, who kicked down doors and broke windows; looted shops, tipped over cars and set them on fire.

It left a trail of rubble down the protest routes.

Amandeep Gill woke up to the smoldering aftermath Tuesday morning.

The American, who lives and works in Rio de Janeiro, took video of smashed store fronts as he arrived at his workplace and posted it to CNN iReport.

Smoke rose out of looted shops. Across the street, a row of ATMs stood bashed, with their electronic guts hanging out.

His colleagues saw the trouble ignite the night before from their office window, they told him.

“They witnessed a car set on fire in front of our building,” Gill said. “They told me they were worried that the building would catch on fire.”

While asking police to back off from peaceful protesters, Dilma has condemned “isolated and minor acts of violence,” telling police to confront them “with vigor.”

Gill’s colleagues in Rio won’t let vandalism keep them off the streets.

Read: Brazil wins Confederations Cup opener

Shasta Darlington reported from Sao Paulo; Mariano Castillo wrote from Atlanta; CNN’s Micheal Pearson, Marilia Brocchetto and Ben Brumfield also contributed to this report.

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Brazil calls in elite police officers

Brazil deploys National Force after riots

Brazilians took to the streets across the country to protest a 9 cent rise in bus fares. Brazil is building massive stadiums and revamping infrastructure ahead of the soccer World Cup, which it hosts next year. Students took to streets on June 18, 2013 in Brazil.Brazilians took to the streets across the country to protest a 9 cent rise in bus fares. Brazil is building massive stadiums and revamping infrastructure ahead of the soccer World Cup, which it hosts next year. Students took to streets on June 18, 2013 in Brazil.

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Photos: Protests in Brazil

Photos: Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Photos: Protests in Brazil

Photos: Protests in Brazil

Photos: Protests in Brazil

Photos: Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

Protests in Brazil

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • NEW: Federal government says it will deploy an elite security group of firefighters and police
  • Main organizers say the protesters will take a break Wednesday, but hit the streets again Thursday
  • Politicians have bent under the pressure, but protesters are not satisfied
  • “The money is there” for social programs, protest spokeswoman says

Are you witnessing the protests in Brazil? Share your images and videos with CNN iReport.

Sao Paulo, Brazil (CNN) — After a chorus of cries for social justice echoed through the streets of Brazil for days, protesters called for a time out Wednesday. Despite the anticipated lull in street marches, the government will beef up security with the deployment of elite police officers and firefighters.

The protests, which started over a hike in bus fares, have had some effect.

A handful of states have passed laws to lower the price of a city bus ticket since protests began, and politicians elsewhere showed signs of bending to the public pressure Tuesday, saying they may also notch fares back down.

Read: Who does the World Cup benefit?

But reducing the price would come at a cost, Sao Paulo’s mayor said after a meeting with Free Fare representatives.

“This means less investment in other areas,” Fernando Haddad said.

Local health care and education in the city could suffer as a result.

Not satisfied

Protesters didn’t buy it.

“The money is there,” Free Fare spokeswoman Marina Ramos said in Sao Paulo on Tuesday.

It’s about how it’s spent, and that’s what the massive demonstrations have been about, she said.

Protesters say the poorest are being short-changed while the government spends the large bills on new stadiums and glitzy infrastructure for the soccer World Cup Brazil is hosting next year and the Olympic Games coming in 2016.

They complain that corruption is driving up the costs.

Read: ‘The man who made a nation cry’

The country’s investment in those projects includes money for health and public transportation, Deputy Sports Minister Luis Fernandes has said.

“There is absolutely nothing contradictory between organizing a World Cup and investing in health and education,” he said.

But such assurances have not been enough for protesters, who will crank marches back up Thursday. Tens of thousands have confirmed online that they will take to the streets once more cry to out against high taxes and living costs, and for better health care and better education.

Bigger, more festive

Wednesday’s day off is nothing out of the ordinary for Brazilian protesters, who also took Saturday and Sunday off. But it stands in glaring contrast to the loud, voluminous demonstrations that reverberated across several cities a day earlier.

Crowds originally protesting bus fares grew into multitudes decrying social injustice on Tuesday as broad avenues filled to capacity for blocks.

There were over 200,000 confirmed participants, according to the main organizer, the Free Fare Movement.

The protests come amid the soccer Confederations Cup tournament, a friendly array of matches, in which the host country, Brazil, plays against a small group of national teams from around the globe. The cup serves as a precursor to the World Cup.

The National Force, made up of specially trained firefighters and police officers, will deploy to states hosting the games, the Ministry of Justice said late Tuesday.

The government has stressed that the force’s mission is to mediate and not repress.

Brazil’s president, Dilma Rousseff, told peaceful protesters Tuesday that their message was being heard.

She praised them as active participants in democracy and said her government is committed to “social transformation.”

Police for the most part stood back, and the atmosphere has grown festive and loud, with throngs singing and beating drums.

Are you there? Share photos or video, but stay safe

“It actually reminded me of Carnival in Rio,” protester Fernando Jones said. “All along the avenue, people supporting the cause kept switching their lights on and off in their offices and shouting their support from the windows.”

Path of rubble

But hidden in the peaceful multitudes were bands of rowdies, who kicked down doors and broke windows; looted shops, tipped over cars and set them on fire.

It left a trail of rubble down the protest routes.

Amandeep Gill woke up to the smoldering aftermath Tuesday morning.

The American, who lives and works in Rio de Janeiro, took video of smashed store fronts as he arrived at his workplace and posted it to CNN iReport.

Smoke rose out of looted shops. Across the street, a row of ATMs stood bashed, with their electronic guts hanging out.

His colleagues saw the trouble ignite the night before from their office window, they told him.

“They witnessed a car set on fire in front of our building,” Gill said. “They told me they were worried that the building would catch on fire.”

While asking police to back off from peaceful protesters, Dilma has condemned “isolated and minor acts of violence,” telling police to confront them “with vigor.”

Gill’s colleagues in Rio won’t let vandalism keep them off the streets.

Read: Brazil wins Confederations Cup opener

Shasta Darlington reported from Sao Paulo; Mariano Castillo wrote from Atlanta; CNN’s Micheal Pearson, Marilia Brocchetto and Ben Brumfield also contributed to this report.

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Brazil deploys National Force after riots

Pistorius murder case postponed

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South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears at Magistrate Court in Pretoria, South Africa, on Tuesday, February 19. He's charged with premeditated murder in the death of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.South African Olympic sprinter Oscar Pistorius appears at Magistrate Court in Pretoria, South Africa, on Tuesday, February 19. He’s charged with premeditated murder in the death of his girlfriend, model Reeva Steenkamp.

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‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

‘Blade Runner’ Oscar Pistorius

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • The court granted the prosecution’s request to postpone the case until August 19
  • The Olympic track star is accused of premeditated murder in the death of his girlfriend
  • Pistorius has said he thought he was shooting at a burglar

Pretoria, South Africa (CNN) — During a swift pre-trial hearing Tuesday, a South African judge delayed Oscar Pistorius‘ murder case for two months — and warned that misconduct in the media could delay the process even longer.

The hearing in Pretoria lasted only about 10 minutes. The magistrate granted the prosecution’s request to postpone the case until August 19 to allow for more time for the investigation.

The judge addressed concerns Tuesday about the “sanctity of judicial processes.” He said there appears to be a trial by media, which could result in contempt of court.

The judge’s comments came days after photos of the bloody scene from Pistorius’ home were leaked to the media.

The Olympic and Paralympic track star made his first public appearance in months during the hearing Tuesday. The judge ordered Pistorius re-released on the same bail conditions he had before.

The double-amputee sprinter is charged with premeditated murder for killing Reeva Steenkamp, a model and law school graduate, on Valentine’s Day.

The date for the murder trial could be announced on August 19 — which, incidentally, would have been Steenkamp’s 30th birthday.

No one disputes that Pistorius killed his girlfriend; the point of debate is whether he intended to kill her.

Pistorius has said he thought an intruder was inside his house. He said he ran on his stumps to the bathroom, where he shot through a door four times. It was only upon returning to his bedroom, Pistorius said, that he realized Steenkamp was not in bed and that she was actually the one in the bathroom.

But prosecutors said the act was a premeditated murder — that Pistorius had an argument with Steenkamp, put on his prosthetic legs, walked to the bathroom, and shot through the door, intentionally killing his girlfriend.

The high-profile case against the Olympic athlete has strained the nerves and patience of some South Africans.

“They’ve had so much time to prepare the case against Oscar, and now we are expecting nothing more than a postponement,” Gabi Zaharieva said shortly before the hearing. “They really have to get going on this.”

CNN Exclusive: Photos show Steenkamp’s transformation

Taking refuge in uncle’s house

Pistorius has been living at his uncle’s house in Pretoria for the past three months. He has grown a beard because he doesn’t want to be recognized and has surrounded himself with photos of Reeva Steenkamp, his uncle said.

“He’s got photos in his room, photos all over the place,” Arnold Pistorius told CNN’s Robyn Curnow. “He’s housebound, you know. He doesn’t go out in public places.”

Arnold Pistorius described the his nephew’s grief as unimaginable.

“What can you say if the person you love the most dies, and you were the instrument? How would you feel? It’s unthinkable.”

Trouble with the investigation

The police investigation into the killing has been beset by problems and scandals since the start.

Hilton Botha, the original lead investigator, admitted during Pistorius’ bail hearing that police had failed to wear protective shoe covers at the crime scene because they had run out of them, and that it was possible evidence had been damaged as a result.

Botha also drew audible gasps from the packed courtroom when he testified that testosterone had been found at Pistorius’ house, before being forced to admit that he hadn’t actually read the full name of the substance. The sprinter’s lawyers testified that the substance was an herbal remedy.

The Paralympian’s lawyers also got Botha to acknowledge that investigators had failed to collect any evidence that counters Pistorius’ argument that he mistakenly shot Steenkamp.

But police spokesman Phuti Setati said authorities are confident Pistorius will be convicted.

“Nothing will distract the detectives from the case. They will remain on course to make sure that they secure a murder conviction.”

If convicted of premeditated murder, Pistorius could face life in prison — which in practice typically amounts to 25 years, unless someone can prove extraordinary circumstances.

But even if a judge finds him not guilty of premeditated murder, he could still face a charge of culpable homicide, which is based on negligence. The punishment for culpable homicide is at the court’s discretion.

Not everyone surprised by Pistorius’ fall from grace

CNN’s Robin Curnow reported from Pretoria; Holly Yan wrote from Atlanta. CNN’s Nkepile Mabuse, Nick Thompson, Hamilton Wende, Susannah Cullinane and Kim Norgaard contributed to this report.

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Pistorius murder case postponed

Ford seit 21 Jahren offizieller Partner der UEFA Champions League – neuer Ford Kuga ist Star beim Champions Festival (BILD)

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Kln (ots) -

   - Ken Block gibt eine exklusive Kostprobe seines fahrerischen 
     Knnens mit dem neuen Ford Fiesta ST auf dem Ford UEFA Champions
     Festival-Stand 
   - Als offizieller Lieferant hat Ford alleine in der laufenden 
     Saison mehr als 900 Fahrzeuge fr einen reibungslosen Ablauf der
     UEFA Champions League zur Verfgung gestellt

Ford ist seit mittlerweile 21 Jahre offizieller Partner der UEFA Champions League und feiert dies in den kommenden Tagen mit seinem bisher grten Auftritt beim UEFA Champions Festival. Im Mittelpunkt dieses viertgigen Fuballfests rund um das eigentliche Finale am kommenden Samstag, 25. Mai, im Londoner Wembley-Stadion zwischen Borussia Dortmund und Bayern Mnchen steht der neue Ford Kuga. Dieses SUV, die Markteinfhrung in Deutschland war im Mrz, wird im gesamten Umfeld der UEFA Champions League aufmerksamkeitsstark prsentiert. Der neue Ford Kuga ist auerdem Hauptwerbetrger der europaweiten “Drive to Wembley”-Kampagne von Ford – dabei handelt es sich um den bislang grten Vergabe-Wettbewerb fr UEFA Champions League Finale-Tickets in der Geschichte des Turniers. Ford bot im Verlauf der aktuellen Champions League-Saison den Fuballfans aus 27 europischen Lndern die Chance auf insgesamt 360 Eintrittskarten fr das Finale. 90 Gewinner knnen sich nun ber Eintrittskarten fr jeweils vier Personen freuen – inklusive Flugtickets, Unterkunft und Taschengeld.

Damit nicht genug: Die Fans haben auerdem noch bis Sonntag, 26. Mai, die Mglichkeit, den neuen Ford Kuga beim UEFA Champions Festival im Londoner Olympic Park persnlich zu erleben. Denn Ford ldt vor Ort alle Besitzer eines Fhrerscheins zu professionell begleiteten Testfahrten mit der vielseitigen Baureihe ein, um fortschrittliche Technologien und hochmoderne Fahrer-Assistenzsysteme live zu erleben.

Ein ganz besonderer Stargast auf dem Ford UEFA Champions Festival-Stand ist auerdem der international erfolgreiche Stuntfahrer Ken Block, der spektakulre Fahrmanver im neuen Ford Fiesta ST vorfhren wird.

“Dies ist unsere bisher aufwndigste Prsenz auf einem UEFA Champions Festival”, sagte Roelant de Waard, Vice President Marketing, Sales and Service, Ford of Europe. “So wie die UEFA Champions League den besten Fuball Europas zeigt, prsentiert das UEFA Champions Festival einige der besten Technologien unserer vielseitigen Fahrzeugflotte”.

Ford untersttzt den Wettbewerb der besten europischen Fuball-Vereinsmannschaften seit der ersten Champions League-Saison in den Jahren 1992/93. Das Unternehmen ist somit der am lngsten amtierende offizielle Partner der UEFA Champions League. Als offizieller Lieferant hat Ford alleine in der laufenden Saison mehr als 900 Fahrzeuge fr einen reibungslosen Ablauf der UEFA Champions League zur Verfgung gestellt.

Ergebnisse der letzten 20 Jahre UEFA Champions League 

SAISON       ERGEBNIS           STADION      ORT       ZUSCHAUER
1992 - 1993  Olympic Marseille  Olympia-     Mnchen   64.400
             1:0  AC Mailand    Stadion
1993 - 1994  AC Mailand 4:0     Olympia
             FC Barcelona       -Stadion     Athen     70.000
1994 - 1995  Ajax Amsterdam 1:0 Ernst-Happel-
             AC Mailand         Stadion      Wien      49.730
1995 - 1996  Juventus Turin     Olympia-     Rom       67.000
             1(4):1(2)          Stadion        
             Ajax Amsterdam     Olympia-     Mnchen   59.000 
1996 - 1997  Borussia Dortmund  Stadion
             3:1 Juventus Turin
1997 - 1998  Real Madrid 1:0    Amsterdam    Amsterdam 47.500
             Juventus Turin     Arena
1998 - 1999  Manchester United  Camp Nou     Barcelona 90.000
             2:1 FC Bayern 
             Mnchen
1999 - 2000 Real Madrid 3:0     Stade de     Saint-Denis /
            FC Valencia         France       Paris     78.800
2000 - 2001 FC Bayern Mnchen   San Siro     Mailand   71.500	
            1(5):1(4) 
            FC Valencia
2001 - 2002 Real Madrid 2:1     Hampden Park Glasgow   52.000
            Bayer 04 Leverkusen
2002 - 2003 AC Mailand 0(3):0(2) Old         Manchester 63.200
            Juventus Turin       Trafford    Gelsen-
2003 - 2004 FC Porto 3:0         Arena       kirchen    52.000
            FC Monaco            auf Schalke Istanbul   70.000
2004 - 2005 FC Liverpool         Atatrk
            3(3):3(2)            Olympic
            AC Mailand           Stadion
2005 - 2006 FC Barcelona 2:1     Stade de   Saint-Denis /
            Arsenal London       France     Paris      79.500
2006 - 2007 AC Mailand 2:1       Olympia-   Athen      74.000
            FC Liverpool         Stadion
2007 - 2008 Manchester United    Luzhniki-  Moskau     67.310
            1(6):1(5) Chelsea    Stadion
2008 - 2009 FC Barcelona 2:0     Olympia-   Rom        62.470
            Manchester United    Stadion
2009 - 2010 Inter Mailand 2:0    Bernabeu-  Madrid     73.170
            FC Bayern Mnchen    Stadion
2010 - 2011 FC Barcelona 3:1     Wembley-   London     87.700
            Manchester United    Stadion
2011 - 2012 Chelsea 1(4):1(3)    Allianz-   Mnchen    62.500
            FC Bayern Mnchen    Arena

Pressekontakt: 

Kontakt:	Isfried Hennen 
Isfried Hennen
Ford-Werke GmbH 
0221/90-17518
ihennen1@ford.com

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Ford seit 21 Jahren offizieller Partner der UEFA Champions League – neuer Ford Kuga ist Star beim Champions Festival (BILD)

Conceptum Sport Logistics cooperates with New Zealand’s Olympic Committee / German sport logistics company supports New Zealand Olympic Committee

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18.04.2013 | 10:05

Conceptum Sport Logistics cooperates with New Zealand’s Olympic Committee
German sport logistics company supports New Zealand Olympic Committee

Frankfurt/Auckland (ots) – The German cultural project logistics company Conceptum Sport Logistics (CSL – www.conceptum-sport-logistics.com) is catching international attention. In April the company headquartered near Frankfurt airport signed a contract with the New Zealand Olympic Committee (NZOC – www.olympic.org.nz), thus providing the complete logistical services for the Olympic teams. For the formal signing of the contract both parties have chosen the ONOC-meeting location on the Fiji Islands. All 17 national Olympic Committees of the Oceania region will attend the meeting. The complex task requires specific logistic solutions – a speciality of Conceptum CEO Sebastian Stahl and his team.

The company maintains an international network of offices, allowing them to provide transportation services all over the world..Numerous national Olympic Committees already rely on transport logistics by Conceptum. For New Zealand the company will also perform logistic services during the Commonwealth Games. Ever since 1911 the competition has been held among the member nations of the Commonwealth, with typical British sports such as hockey, cricket or lawn bowling. Sebastian Stahl, a logistician by vocation, is glad to put another pin on the globe: “Each of these solid partnerships is based on complete confidence in our services. Logistics for sports equipment is much more than simply sending some bulk freight around the globe. It is about trust!”

Kereyn Smith, Secretary General of the NZOC, confirms that: “We have chosen Conceptum Sport Logistics because of its high level of expertise in the area of sports and cultural event logistics.” (…).

Read the complete press release here: http://ots.de/DLKYG

Further information: 

Conceptum Sport Logistics, Web: www.conceptum-sport-logistics.com, 
Email: media@conceptum-sport-logistics.com

PR Agency: euromarcom public relations GmbH, 
Tel. +49 (0)611/973150, Email: team@euromarcom.de, 
Web: www.euromarcom.de

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Conceptum Sport Logistics cooperates with New Zealand’s Olympic Committee / German sport logistics company supports New Zealand Olympic Committee

Getty Images buys its Brazilian third-party distributor ahead of the 2014 World Cup

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164750246 520x245 Getty Images buys its Brazilian third party distributor ahead of the 2014 World Cup

Getty Images, a major distributor of digital imagery, video, music and other content, today announced that it is accelerating its expansion in Latin America with the acquisition of São Paulo-based G&S Imagens do Brasil. Terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

G&S Imagens was actually Getty Images’ third-party distributor in Brazil, and was even trading under the name of Getty Images do Brasil.

According to today’s announcement, Getty Images has acquired 100 percent ownership of G&S Imagens do Brasil, which has been the primary distributor of the former’s creative and editorial content in the Brazilian market since 2008.

Getty Images co-founder and CEO Jonathan Klein, comments:

“As worldwide demand for content across multiple channels and platforms continues to increase, we are delighted to strengthen our ability to fully serve the Brazilian market.

The need for both local and global content remains strong in Brazil and across Latin America, as the region continues to develop and grow. This acquisition will further enhance our geographic presence as well as our ability to better serve customers in the region and around the world, with a greater choice of innovative and inspiring content.”

It’s worth noting that the acquisition puts Getty Images in a perfect position to provide better coverage of the 2014 FIFA World Cup, as well as the 2016 Olympic and Paralympic Games in Brazil.

Disclosure: The Next Web partners with Getty Images for the use of stock photos.

Image credit: Erica Ramalho for AFP / Getty Images

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Getty Images buys its Brazilian third-party distributor ahead of the 2014 World Cup

Push for topless change

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Campaigners hope UK’s biggest newspaper will stop publishing topless model photos
  • Rupert Murdoch, owner of The Sun, tweeted the Page 3 girl might be outdated
  • Even one former model now says it is time for Page 3 to end
  • The Sun uses its models in journalism campaigns and marketing

(CNN) — The UK’s highest selling newspaper maybe embarking on a giant cover up — much to the delight of its critics — and putting an end to a tradition opponents see as sexist and outdated.

The Sun’s topless model on Page 3 has been a tradition since the 1970s. A photo of a bare-breasted young woman along with a corny caption was the newspaper’s way of giving its largely male readers a break from the often depressing news of the day.

Page 3 quickly became part of The Sun’s brand, making the transition from black and white photos to color, then onto the paper’s website. Page 3 models often support The Sun’s campaigning journalism and are taken on tours to meet serving military.

Nudity in newspapers is not the exclusive domain of The Sun. The press and advertising campaigns will often use flesh to draw in the eyeballs in parts of Europe.

British glamor model Samantha Fox enjoyed brief success as a pop star.

British glamor model Samantha Fox enjoyed brief success as a pop star.

But now The Sun’s owner Rupert Murdoch — in one tweet — has raised the specter of a world without Page 3. Murdoch said: “@Kazipooh page three so last century! You maybe right, don’t know but considering. Perhaps halfway house with glamorous fashionistas.”

Murdoch later tempered this, saying it was the editor’s call. But it was music to the ears of campaigners at “No More Page Three.” The campaign was started by Lucy Holmes when she realized the day after Jessica Ennis won Olympic gold in the heptathlon for Great Britain last summer “the largest female image in The Sun was of a young woman showing her breasts.”

On April 1, it had 88,000 signatures supporting an end to Page 3. The Sun sells 2.28 million copies a day and has many more readers as each copy sold is read by friends or family.

A spokesperson for News International said: “In a YouGov survey commissioned last October almost two thirds of Sun readers voted to keep the Page 3 format and notably it has more than seven million readers daily of which 45 per cent are female. It remains the UK’s biggest selling newspaper which means its formula — brilliant journalism, entertainment, outstanding sports writing — and Page 3, is working.”

The YouGov survey also found readers of most of the other national papers were more likely to favor an end to the Sun’s Page 3.

As an MP, Clare Short tried to pass a law that would ban topless models in newspapers.

As an MP, Clare Short tried to pass a law that would ban topless models in newspapers.

Meanwhile, the UK media landscape is changing after the Leveson Inquiry into phone hacking. Sun staffers have been arrested, its sister paper The News of the World was closed by Murdoch and codes of conduct are being imposed on the media. The emphasis is on ethics, and that might not sit well on Page 3.

One anti-Page 3 campaigner, Laura Ashton, told CNN: “It’s exploitative, it’s from the 1970s, and the girls back then were very young they were putting in the newspaper. They’re not much older now. But it really feels very outdated, that kind of sexism.”

Others have tried before. Clare Short was a leading Labour Party MP when in 1986 she tried unsuccessfully to push through legislation that would have outlawed topless models in newspapers. In 2007, Short tried again, only for The Sun to launch a “Hands Off Our Page 3” campaign with models being driven by bus to pose outside to the former MP’s home.

In the UK, topless and nude model magazines are largely restricted to the top shelves of stores where children can’t reach them. Only a couple of newspapers containing nudity are put on bottom shelf.

Elsewhere in Europe, different standards apply in different markets with topless models used on advertising hoardings for everything from soap to sweaters.

Linda Lusaardi made her name as a Page 3 model but now says it may be time for its end.

Linda Lusaardi made her name as a Page 3 model but now says it may be time for its end.

Some of the UK’s Page 3 models have used their exposure as launchpad for other careers. Sam Fox, perhaps the best-known of them, had a string of pop hits.

And Linda Lusardi, another pin-up of the 1980s, became an actress in long-running UK shows like “The Bill” and “Emmerdale.”

But even Lusardi, voted by Sun readers in 2005 as the best Page 3 girl ever, said: “It’s time for it to go. I really think things have moved on so far with the internet and with everything else that I don’t feel that we really need that in our national newspapers anymore.”

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Push for topless change

Teen’s 7 marathons on 7 continents

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Winter Vinecki, 14, plans to set a world record this year as the youngest person ever to run a marathon on all seven continents. Ambitious as that may seem, Winter has never been one to shy away from a tough goal.

Winter Vinecki, 14, plans to set a world record this year as the youngest person ever to run a marathon on all seven continents. Ambitious as that may seem, Winter has never been one to shy away from a tough goal.

Winter founded the nonprofit organization <a href='http://www.teamwinter.org/' target='_blank'>Team Winter</a> at the age of 9 after learning that her father had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Michael Vinecki died in 2009, before his 41st birthday. ” border=”0″ height=”360″ id=”articleGalleryPhoto003″ style=”margin:0 auto;display:none” width=”270″/></div> <p><cite style=Winter founded the nonprofit organization Team Winter at the age of 9 after learning that her father had been diagnosed with an aggressive form of prostate cancer. Michael Vinecki died in 2009, before his 41st birthday.
Winter is a two-time <a href='http://www.ironkids.com/' target='_blank'>IronKids National Triathlon</a> champion. “Each first-place trophy she receives is sent to a person affected by prostate cancer as a means of support and a gesture of goodwill,” according to her web site. ” border=”0″ height=”360″ id=”articleGalleryPhoto005″ style=”margin:0 auto;display:none” width=”270″/></div> <p><cite style=Winter is a two-time IronKids National Triathlon champion. “Each first-place trophy she receives is sent to a person affected by prostate cancer as a means of support and a gesture of goodwill,” according to her web site.

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Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

Winter goes for gold

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • At age 5, Winter Vinecki was already racing in triathlons against adults
  • By age 9, she had completed her first Olympic distance triathlon in under 4 hours
  • She’s training to be an Olympic skier in Park City at the Utah Olympic Park

Editor’s note: Winter Vinecki, 14, plans to be the youngest person to run a marathon on every continent. She’s in Antarctica this week and will head to South America next to run the Inca Trail Marathon to Machu Picchu in Peru. She’ll finish her journey with the Athens Classic Marathon in Greece in November.

(CNN) — When I was 9, my mom gave us the devastating news: “Your dad has cancer.”

I remember that day like it was yesterday. My brothers and I were gathered at the kitchen table as she broke the news to us. That was a defining moment; my life and focus were forever changed. My dad’s diagnosis of a rare, aggressive form of prostate cancer made me quickly realize how little awareness there was for his disease.

Within 10 months, my dad, Michael Vinecki, was gone. I couldn’t imagine just sitting around being sad. I knew I had to do something. So with the help of my mom, I formed a nonprofit called Team Winter.

I set out on a mission to raise global awareness for the cancer that stole my dad. I vowed to help prevent other families from going through what my family went through and continues to go through.

I can’t remember a time when I wasn’t competitive. At 5 years old, I was already winning triathlons and running races and competing against adults. I spent my winters tearing up the ski slopes and dreaming of being an Olympic skier.

At age 9, I completed my first Olympic-distance triathlon in less than four hours — a distance many said I was too young for. It would be the last race where my dad would ever meet me at the finish line.

Movember: Why I’m growing the ‘stache

His death fueled my passion and determination in a way very few athletes might experience. Since losing my dad, I have become not only a two-time IronKids triathlon national champion but also an ambassador to the sport of triathlon.
I love inspiring youth across America to live an active, positive and healthy lifestyle and to race not only for themselves but for a cause.

While speaking at a 2009 Prostate Cancer Foundation event, I made a promise to more than 100 of the best prostate cancer researchers of the world: “I will make certain that, in my lifetime, I will get a blue ribbon out there to match every pink ribbon!”

I have helped raise close to $400,000 to fund prostate cancer research and have athletes around the world racing for my cause.

Why can’t doctors agree on PSA testing?

Now I have a new goal: to race one marathon on every continent. I have already completed the Eugene Marathon in Oregon in 3:45:04 and placed third overall female at the Amazing Maasai in Kenya.

Many have told me I’m too young to run these distances, to wait until I’m older. My dad waited until he was 40 years old to do the things he wanted to do and never got to do them. I’m more than capable now to do the things I do, so why put them off until tomorrow?

Tomorrow is never a given, as I have learned the hard way. I hope to encourage others to do the same and not let age be a barrier.

In 2013, I’m tackling Antarctica, the Inca Trail Marathon (labeled the “toughest marathon in the world”), Mongolia and New Zealand and will finish on the original course of Pheidippides in Athens in November.

Ironman champ: Your mind matters more

My goal is to be the youngest person in the world to complete a marathon on every continent before I turn 15, to honor not only my dad but the one in six men affected by prostate cancer.

I plan on showing my dad all these amazing places he never got to see. He is with me wherever I go, and you can bet he is by my side every step of the way as I conquer every continent, 26.2 miles at a time.

As for skiing, in June, I became the newest and youngest member of Fly Elite, the Olympic development team for aerial skiing. I train in Park City at the Utah Olympic Park and am a hopeful for the 2018 Winter Olympics in South Korea. But this training and vision comes at a great cost.

I now live year-round with a host family and must live apart from my three brothers and my mom. I spend up to eight hours a day training, on top of my daily school schedule. I will continue to cross train as a triathlete and will be exploring the Xterra series in 2013 with sights set on the World Championships in Maui this fall.

Six people who’ll inspire you this year

I believe cross-training is the key to reducing injuries and burnout and has been one of the keys to my success as an athlete.
Despite all my athletic endeavors, I haven’t forgotten about the most important thing, my education. I’m currently a freshman at the online high school EPGY (Educational Program for Gifted Youth), run by Stanford University.

My journey is not one I chose; it was a path laid before me. I feel my dad was meant to die so that Team Winter could be born and I could help change the face of prostate cancer awareness.

I hope I’m able to show others that if a 9-year-old girl from a rural town in northern Michigan can have an impact on the world, anyone can do the same.

I challenge people to not only dream but to dream big! My dream: to be a winter and summer Olympian.

Never give in!

Follow Winter on Twitter @TeamWinter or on Facebook

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Teen’s 7 marathons on 7 continents

Pistorius plea for lighter bail conditions

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Pistorius lawyers argue for lighter bail restrictions

By Nkepile Mabuse and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN

March 28, 2013 — Updated 1029 GMT (1829 HKT)

Lawyers for South African track star Oscar Pistorius seek lenient bail restrictions for the man charged with murder.

Lawyers for South African track star Oscar Pistorius seek lenient bail restrictions for the man charged with murder.

STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Lawyer for Oscar Pistorius argues he should be allowed to travel overseas
  • Pistorius’ legal team questions why he is barred from drinking alcohol
  • He is also not allowed to talk to witnesses or return to the scene of the shooting
  • Pistorius is charged with murdering his girlfriend, Reeva Steenkamp

Pretoria (CNN) — Lawyers for South African track star Oscar Pistorius, charged with killing girlfriend Reeva Steenkamp, argued in court Thursday for more lenient bail restrictions, including permission to travel overseas.

Authorities charged Pistorius with premeditated murder last month after he shot Steenkamp in his Pretoria home on February 14.

At present, under the terms of his bail, he cannot return to the Pretoria home where the shooting happened or talk to witnesses in the case. He also had to give up his passport, cannot go near an airport and cannot drink alcohol.

Barry Roux, a lawyer for Pistorius, argued in Pretoria’s North Gauteng High Court that the athlete’s passport should be given to the investigating officer and that he should be allowed to travel under certain conditions.

Pistorius is “not insensitive and it’s not that he wants to jump on a plane and leave South Africa,” Roux said.

“He has no desire to compete but why stop him from traveling under controlled circumstances?”

His legal team also questioned the need to impose a restriction on drinking alcohol. Pistorius did not attend Thursday’s hearing.

State prosecutor Gerrie Nel told the court he plans to serve Pistorius with an indictment on June 4.

Judge Bert Bam’s decision is expected later Thursday.

Pistorius spent eight days in jail before a magistrate freed him on bail on February 22.

The Olympic and Paralympic sprinter, known as the “Blade Runner” for competing on carbon fiber blades fitted to the stumps of his amputated legs, says he thought Steenkamp was an intruder.

Prosecutors argue he intentionally killed her after a loud argument.

READ MORE: Pistorius case brings South Africa gun culture to global spotlight

READ MORE: Not everyone surprised at Oscar Pistorius’ fall from grace

CNN’s Nkepile Mabuse reported from Johannesburg and Laura Smith-Spark wrote in London.

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February 19, 2013 — Updated 2037 GMT (0437 HKT)

He smashed barriers to compete for Olympic glory. Now he faces a murder trial for the shooting of his girlfriend on Valentine’s Day.

February 22, 2013 — Updated 1019 GMT (1819 HKT)

CNN’s Tom Foreman takes a virtual look at what Oscar Pistorius says happened the night Reeva Steenkamp was killed.

March 1, 2013 — Updated 1657 GMT (0057 HKT)

Pistorius case mirrors that of a South African rugby star. “People in such situations go through fear, anger and helplessness,” Visagie says.

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Q&A on South African law and how it has been applied to the Oscar Pistorius case.

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February 19, 2013 — Updated 1022 GMT (1822 HKT)

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South African prisons are frequently overcrowded, putting a strain on sanitation, ventilation and medical care, says a civil society group.

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February 23, 2013 — Updated 0327 GMT (1127 HKT)

Reeva Steenkamp’s cousin says she has many questions about the night the model was killed in Oscar Pistorius’ home.

February 21, 2013 — Updated 1302 GMT (2102 HKT)

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Pistorius won gold for the first time at the 2004 Athens Paralympics in the men’s 200m final and set a new world record.

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Pistorius plea for lighter bail conditions

Wonder of Yu: Paralympic drive

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Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

Hong Kong’s Paralympic fencing champion

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STORY HIGHLIGHTS

  • Fencer Alison Yu Chui Yee has seven Paralympic gold medals to her name
  • The 28-year-old from Hong Kong had part of her leg amputated when she was 11
  • Yu says she forgot to strike a signature pose after winning gold in London
  • Yu: “I think the most important thing for your life, is the way you interpret things”

CNN’s Human to Hero series screens on World Sport at 1700 GMT (1200 ET) and 2230 GMT every Wednesday, and 0500 GMT Thursdays.

(CNN) — The only tinge of regret Alison Yu Chui Yee has from another prodigious Paralympic campaign is that she didn’t take a leaf out of Usain Bolt’s book.

Another two fencing gold medals at London 2012 took her tally to seven overall, enhancing her reputation of one of Hong Kong’s greatest ever Paralympians, and she had planned to premiere her very own signature pose at the apex of her latest triumph.

But the 28-year-old, who jokes she only took up fencing because she was promised there would be plenty of “handsome guys” on show, missed the chance to showcase her own version of the Jamaican sprinter’s move because she was too immersed in battle.

“I watched the Beijing Olympics and saw so many champions when they won try to do so many signature postures,” she told CNN’s Human to Hero series.

Read: Motorbike champ Lorenzo dances with danger

“I did think ‘What should I do if I get the gold medal in Beijing? Should I kiss the blade or hug the coach?’

“Finally (when I) knew that I won, I just took off my mask with a facial expression that my friend said looked like I had just woken up because I was still concentrating!”

Her celebrations might need some work but Yu’s pedigree in the noble art of fencing is indisputable.

Diagnosed with bone cancer in her left leg at the age of 11, Yu eventually had to have part of it removed. After making the move to fencing from swimming, she was instantly transfixed, rising through the ranks to make her Olympic debut at Athens, Greece, in 2004, aged just 20.

The sport, based on attack and defense with swords, has a heritage that some claim dates back as far as 1200 BC, due to the discovery of several ancient Egyptian carvings detailing duels involving combatants with blades and wearing masks for protection.

Read: ‘Girl with the dancing horse’

After being enticed along to her first lesson by a friend who promised a bevy of attractive men to look at, Yu was transfixed.

“In the very first lesson, I didn’t see any handsome guys but I felt fencing was so cool because the costume is all in white and you have to wear a mask. It’s just so mysterious. It reminded me of the movie ‘The Mask of Zorro.’

“After that I found fencing does not only have a good appearance, but also the strategy and the technique is very interesting. You have to use your physical strength together with your mental strength. I think it is so challenging and I love it.”

Fencing remains one of only four sports to have featured in every modern Olympic Games since 1896 but Yu’s first thought when she arrived at the world’s biggest sporting event at the age of 20 was about hamburgers, not history.

“I was so excited,” she explained. “Everything was just so new to me.

“I heard there’s a restaurant open 24 hours and a fast food shop which you can take all the food that you want free of charge. I couldn’t wait to eat so many hamburgers!”

Read: Judo giant – ‘Celine Dion puts me in the zone’

That excitement was also transmitted to Yu’s performance as she bagged a gold medal in all four of her events in 2004, both as an individual and as part of the Hong Kong team in the epee and foil categories, which use different blades and scoring systems.

Wheelchair fencing sees athletes compete in a chair that is fixed into a frame and fastened to the floor. Points are scored by landing a blow with the tip of your sword on an opponent in epee and foil.

Yu excelled in both fields of combat.

She’s taken part in nine fencing events in her Paralympic career to date winning seven golds, one silver and one bronze.

After the relative disappointment of winning only one gold in Beijing, where she had to settle for silver in the epee, Yu bounced back to win both her individual events at London 2012 despite a difficult preparation working with a new coach — during which she had contemplated quitting the sport.

“I was so depressed. I’m quite an optimistic girl, and I can hardly imagine that I cried a lot at that time. After training I would just go back to the room and cry because I didn’t know what I was doing and the training atmosphere was just not very good.”

However, cheered by her teammates and helped with her training by able-bodied fencing colleagues, she got back in the groove and had a successful Games, also winning bronze in a team event.

“When I came back, I just bought them a very big meal and shared my happiness with them.”

Yu’s record makes her one of Hong Kong’s most successful Paralympians, and that fact leaves her bursting with pride.

“Whenever I see the Hong Kong flag is flying in the sky, not because of anybody else, because of my efforts, I think it’s the most proud time of my life,” Yu said.

“I was the first female fencer in Hong Kong who captured four gold medals in the Paralympic Games (in Athens).

“When I came back to Hong Kong, so many reporters and journalists were waiting for us and interviewing us, and I thought ‘Wow, I just looked like a Hollywood star!’

“I am so proud of being a Paralympian because I think the Games are a very good platform for disabled persons to perform themselves.

I did think ‘What should I do if I got the gold medal in Beijing? Should I kiss the blade or hug the coach?’
Alison Yu Chui Yee

“Within the Paralympics movement, it’s not just talk about excellence, it’s not just talk about the competition, it’s also talk about the equality and how your world accepts those disabled people.”

Yu’s infectious character explains why she’s had little difficulty in overcoming the treacherous obstacles that were placed in front of her at such an early age.

A dedicated, passionate athlete, away from fencing she is relentlessly positive, something that has driven her through cancer and onto a clutch of gold medals.

“When I had bone cancer, I was just 11 years old. I think my parents suffered a lot because they worried about my health, my life, so much,” she said.

“For me, it was quite bad feeling during the treatment. But I quite enjoyed staying in the hospital because so many kids played with me.

“Every time when I talk about this memory, my mom scolds me because she says, ‘Come one, no one like hospital life, only you.’

“I think the most important thing for your life is the way you interpret things. Having an optimistic point of view is so important — your life will be so bright.”

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Wonder of Yu: Paralympic drive