WORLD IN BRIEF : BRAZIL : Rio Slum Dwellers Turn Into Squatters

Driven by the worst recession in a decade, thousands of slum dwellers have invaded vacant apartments across Rio de Janeiro, raising fears of an urban battle between rich and poor in Brazil’s tourist capital. On Sunday, 5,000 shantytown residents occupied 980 apartments at the vacant Rio das Pedras condominium on Rio’s outskirts and pledged to stay despite a court order to leave. A score of smaller invasions have taken place in recent days. About one-fourth of greater Rio’s 10 million people live in shantytowns built on undeveloped private and public land.