Amazon To Gain Anti-Piracy Force In Northern State

Brazilian authorities have decided to stand up an anti-piracy task force to combat attacks on river boats in the northern Para state, reports the Guardian (U.K.).

The rapid-response unit was unveiled after an attack in which 11 heavily armed thieves stormed a passenger boat on the Amazon river system traveling to the state capital Belem.

The unit will have about 50 personnel and eight boats, officials said.

Locals say such attacks have become common in Para, which has a...