More violence rocks Brazil

SAO PAULO — Law-enforcement authorities say criminal gangs armed with explosives destroyed a transmission tower and a car dealership as a wave of violence unleashed more than 10 days ago in Brazil’s northeastern state of Ceara shows no sign of abating. The state’s public security department said Saturday that 194 attacks against banks, police stations and other public buildings have taken place over the past 11 days. The attacks have occurred in Fortaleza, the capital, and in close to 50 other cities. Authorities have said the attacks were ordered by organized crime groups in retaliation for plans to impose tighter controls in the state’s prisons. —