The Brazilian government is pouring money into dealing with the country's crack problem - but it's an uphill battle. 

Pity and revulsion in Sao Paulo's crack district

Four months late, five weeks until kick-off - and just look what remains to be done at Sao Paulo’s Itaquera stadium.

Brazil World Cup 2014: Will it be alright on the night?

Our reporter Nick Ravenscroft reports from Rio de Janeiro which has seen rioting just 50 days before the tournament starts.

Riots ahead of Rio's World Cup

Ten weeks before the start of the World Cup in Brazil, police are making a final push to sweep clean some of Rio's most crime-ridden areas.

Police helicopters sweep Brazil slums ahead of World Cup

Hold-ups happen daily in Rio. Few are as brazen as a gang that robbed hospital staff and patients in a waiting room at gunpoint.

Gunpoint robbery shows scale of crime before World Cup

With raw sewage and debris from favelas often washing into the sea safety fears have been raised for the sea sports in the Rio Games.

Filthy waters spark safety fears for Rio Olympics

Brazil’s military police are the protectors of the law, a relic of the 20 years of dictatorship and are still organised into battalions.

Brazil's military police dawn raids to tame the favelas

File photo. Lord Peter Mandelson pictured in July 2023.

ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston explains how Lord Peter Mandelson might yet not be packing his bags for Washington DC.

Why Washington could reject Mandelson as Britain's next US ambassador

ITV News Political Editor Robert Peston breaks down potentially the most important diplomatic decision Starmer will ever make. 

Was PM blindsided by Mandelson reaction or did he hope to weather the storm?

Ruth Jones and James Corden attend a BBC launch event for Gavin and Stacey: The Finale, at Ham Yard Hotel in London. Picture date: Wednesday December 18, 2024. 

After the show's 2019 Christmas special ended on a cliffhanger, with a marriage proposal, viewers will hopefully get an answer on Christmas Day.

James Corden and Ruth Jones to give Gavin & Stacey ‘lovely’ send off

ITV News' Robert Peston looks at why the prime minister has given Lord Mandelson the UK's top diplomatic job to the US and what risks are involved

Why Starmer picked Mandelson for Washington

File photo dated 02/02/24 of Lord Peter Mandelson at St Mary the Virgin church in Primrose Hill, north west London. The UK needs to transform itself into a high investment economy to shift out of its low growth "doom loop", Lord Peter Mandelson claims, adding that he will will hit out at "persistent underinvestment". Issue date: Thursday October 10, 2024.

The Labour peer and former 'spin doctor' to Tony Blair would replace Karen Pierce, who has served as ambassador to the US since 2020. 

Peter Mandelson expected to be made Britain's new ambassador to US

The Queen's longtime hairdresser has spoken to ITV News about her decades-lasting friendship with Her Majesty.

Royal warrant for the long-serving hairdresser to the Queen

ITV News' Chloe Keedy reports from Avignon, France, after attending the sentencing of Gisèle Pelicot's ex-husband and 50 other men in the mass rape trial.

Gisele Pelicot calmly faced the unimaginable in court for the final time

ITV News' Steve Scott speaks to Lord Seb Coe, one of seven candidates vying to become IOC president, about how the Olympic games could shape up. 

Nick Ravenscroft

Former Brazil Correspondent