IN BRIEF (Page 9)

Colombia

Govt OKs raids against gangs

Colombia on Thursday authorized the use of all military force, including airstrikes, against the country's three biggest criminal gangs in a major escalation against "organized armed groups". Defense Minister Luis Carlos Villegas announced the directive late on Thursday. Until now the military had only been used against guerrilla groups, who have been negotiating an end to their half century old conflict.