Oct. 2 — Rio de Janeiro won the vote to stage the 2016 Olympics and become the first city in South America to host the event.
The games would help sustain Brazil’s economic growth by injecting $51.1 billion into Latin America’s largest economy through 2027 and add 120,000 jobs annually through 2016, according to studies by a Sao Paulo business school for the Ministry of Sports. Brazil plans $11 billion of investments as host, more than any other of the bidding cities.

“The IOC felt they owed South America the Games and the passion Rio in speeches expressed was heartfelt,” Marc Ganis, president of SportsCorp Ltd., a Chicago-based sports consulting firm, said in a telephone interview.

Rio, in a metropolitan area with 12 million people, centered its bid on using sports as a catalyst for social integration, celebration and transformation of the city, the region and the country. The city promised impeccable games.

Rio failed in attempts to host the 2004 and 2012 Olympics, when its bids didn’t have the participation of federal and state governments. This time there is full alignment of the three levels of government and the bid enjoys the strong leadership and involvement of the national Olympic committee, as well as athletes.

Brazil’s Bovespa stock index rallied, the only major equity measure in the world to rise today, and the currency rose on speculation the Rio victory will lure investment to the country.

The Bovespa rose 0.9 percent to 61,013.72 at 2:03 p.m. in Sao Paulo, led by airlines Tam SA and Gol Linhas Aereas Inteligentes SA. The real, the best-performing emerging-market currency against the dollar this year, gained 0.4 percent to 1.7788.

Source: Bloomberg

Hero pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger climbed back in his beloved pilot’s chair Thursday morning, flying his first planeload of passengers since January’s miraculous Hudson splashdown.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is Captain Sullenberger,” he said, and then had to wait for a huge wave of excited applause to die down.
The Daily News was the only news organization with a reporter aboard Sully’s first flight: the 7:55 a.m. US Airways flight from Charlotte, N.C., to New York City. (more…)

Los Angeles: The Fred Jordan Mission is hosting its 21st annual “Back To School” giveaway today.

The event helps hundreds of homeless and underprivileged children.
More than 4,000 new athletic shoes and socks donated by Foot Locker will be distributed.

Associates from the company will be on hand to size children.
Backpacks, clothing school supplies and hygiene products will also be distributed.

Free haircuts and lunch will be provided as well.

The Fred Jordan Mission is located at 445 Towne Avenue.

BRONX, New York. A local store owner becomes a hero for rescuing a child trapped in a burning building.
While walking down the street Horia Cretan heard screaming and noticed smoke coming from the window of a nearby building. Without hesitation he immediately climbed the fire ladder and rescued a young child.

Video of the rescue after the jump (more…)