Between eight and ten million packets a day, each with five cards, perhaps including the coveted ones of Lionel Messi, Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo -- as World Cup fever builds the Panini sticker factory in Italy is working flat out.

With Panini, Italy are guaranteed not to miss out on the World Cup in Russia even if their team will not be competing.&nbsp;

Created in 1960 by the four Panini brothers, the business has an exclusive contract with world football's governing body FIFA and its first World Cup album dates back to 1970.

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Panini World Cup stickers are back baybay! <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panini?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panini</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup2018?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup2018</a> <a href="https://t.co/cFv3IqdviZ">pic.twitter.com/cFv3IqdviZ</a>
— The Adamantium (@AdamRHarrison) <a href="https://twitter.com/AdamRHarrison/status/997954081808269312?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Over the past 50 years the principle has never changed -- you open, stick and exchange cards.

"It's the simplicity that pays. Panini has never been in crisis because it's a simple game enjoyed by parents and children," Simona Spiaggia, head of production at the factory in Modena in central Italy told AFP.

Even four-time champions' Italy's absence from the World Cup for the first time in 60 years has not dented booming sales.

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Get Your 2018 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panini?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panini</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/FIFA?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#FIFA</a> 365 <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Stickers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Stickers</a> Special Collectors Package w/72 Page Album! World's Biggest Soccer Football Stars!! <a href="https://t.co/q3Ljf4nwCz">https://t.co/q3Ljf4nwCz</a>
— ?MilanLegends.com⚫️ (@TheMilanLegends) <a href="https://twitter.com/TheMilanLegends/status/998096276574101504?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"No, it's marginal," continues Spiaggia.&nbsp;

"We produce for the entire world, apart from a part of Latin American because we have another factory in Brazil.&nbsp;

"But for the rest of the world, everything is done here. So Italy represents just a small part."

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Iker <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Casillas?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Casillas</a><a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Spain?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Spain</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/EURO?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#EURO</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panini?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panini</a> stickers 2002-2016 <a href="https://t.co/0gVT4OUuKk">pic.twitter.com/0gVT4OUuKk</a>
— Stickerpedia (@Stickerpedia1) <a href="https://twitter.com/Stickerpedia1/status/998083268338704384?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Since last January the machines which have remained unchanged since the 1960s, cut, mix and package at a faster rate than normal with the number of factory employees having jumped from 130 to 240 to keep pace with demand.

"We have production peaks every two years with the European championships and the World Cup. But that of the World Cup is a little higher," said Spiaggia.

And despite other partnership deals, notably with Disney, and inroads into cycling and basketball, football "still represents the largest part of our business," she said.

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I've a swap request for my PANINI STICKER ALBUM: You have: Stickers 'Egypt','João Mário','Mitchell Langerak','Bailey Wright','Aaron Mooy' 
You want: Stickers 'Korea Republic','Kim Younggwon','Ki Sungyueng','Lee Chungyong','Hwang Heechan' <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/PaniniStickerAlbum?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#PaniniStickerAlbum</a><a href="https://t.co/klO0AtYYh3">https://t.co/klO0AtYYh3</a>
— Mazen Mohamed Aly ™ (@MazenMohamedAly) <a href="https://twitter.com/MazenMohamedAly/status/998007928224444417?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 20, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Even competition from internet collections has not yet threatened or diminished the appeal of the traditional paper album.

"We're going forward with on-line. But it's a bit like books, some move to e-books, others will always prefer paper and that's the same for our collectors."

Fans will be searching avidly for stars including Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo, stickers which may seem rarer but which are in fact not.

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And so it begins. Worst parenting I've ever done. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Panini?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Panini</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/WorldCup?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#WorldCup</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Stickers?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#Stickers</a> <a href="https://t.co/jkwvzqKZIF">pic.twitter.com/jkwvzqKZIF</a>
— Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) <a href="https://twitter.com/Jarlath/status/997967382973906944?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 19, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"If they're rare it's because they are more sought after," explained Spiaggia. "There are fewer in circulation because they're not being exchanged, but not at the start."

In the end it's all down to chance and the shuffle of the machines. That is one thing that has changed from the early days when the mix was done with a shovel by throwing the stickers against the wall.

Created in 1960 by the four Panini brothers, the business has an exclusive contract with world football's governing body FIFA and its first World Cup album dates back to 1970

Between eight and ten million packets a day, each with five cards, perhaps including the coveted ones of Lionel Messi, Neymar or Cristiano Ronaldo -- as World Cup fever builds the Panini sticker factory in Italy is working flat out. With Panini, Italy are guaranteed not to miss out on the World Cup in Russia even if their team will not be competing. Created in 1960 by the four Panini brothers, the business has an exclusive contract with world football's governing body FIFA and its first World Cup album dates back to 1970. Panini World Cup stickers are back baybay! #Panini #WorldCup2018 pic.twitter.com/cFv3IqdviZ — The Adamantium (@AdamRHarrison) May 19, 2018 × Over the past 50 years the principle has never changed -- you open, stick and exchange cards. "It's the simplicity that pays. Panini has never been in crisis because it's a simple game enjoyed by parents and children," Simona Spiaggia, head of production at the factory in Modena in central Italy told AFP. Even four-time champions' Italy's absence from the World Cup for the first time in 60 years has not dented booming sales. Get Your 2018 #Panini #FIFA 365 #Stickers Special Collectors Package w/72 Page Album! World's Biggest Soccer Football Stars!! https://t.co/q3Ljf4nwCz — ?MilanLegends.com⚫️ (@TheMilanLegends) May 20, 2018 × "No, it's marginal," continues Spiaggia. "We produce for the entire world, apart from a part of Latin American because we have another factory in Brazil. "But for the rest of the world, everything is done here. So Italy represents just a small part." Iker #Casillas#Spain #WorldCup #EURO #Panini stickers 2002-2016 pic.twitter.com/0gVT4OUuKk — Stickerpedia (@Stickerpedia1) May 20, 2018 × Since last January the machines which have remained unchanged since the 1960s, cut, mix and package at a faster rate than normal with the number of factory employees having jumped from 130 to 240 to keep pace with demand. "We have production peaks every two years with the European championships and the World Cup. But that of the World Cup is a little higher," said Spiaggia. And despite other partnership deals, notably with Disney, and inroads into cycling and basketball, football "still represents the largest part of our business," she said. I've a swap request for my PANINI STICKER ALBUM: You have: Stickers 'Egypt','João Mário','Mitchell Langerak','Bailey Wright','Aaron Mooy' You want: Stickers 'Korea Republic','Kim Younggwon','Ki Sungyueng','Lee Chungyong','Hwang Heechan' #PaniniStickerAlbumhttps://t.co/klO0AtYYh3 — Mazen Mohamed Aly ™ (@MazenMohamedAly) May 20, 2018 × Even competition from internet collections has not yet threatened or diminished the appeal of the traditional paper album. "We're going forward with on-line. But it's a bit like books, some move to e-books, others will always prefer paper and that's the same for our collectors." Fans will be searching avidly for stars including Neymar, Messi and Ronaldo, stickers which may seem rarer but which are in fact not. And so it begins. Worst parenting I've ever done. #Panini #WorldCup #Stickers pic.twitter.com/jkwvzqKZIF — Jarlath Regan (@Jarlath) May 19, 2018 × "If they're rare it's because they are more sought after," explained Spiaggia. "There are fewer in circulation because they're not being exchanged, but not at the start." In the end it's all down to chance and the shuffle of the machines. That is one thing that has changed from the early days when the mix was done with a shovel by throwing the stickers against the wall.

FIFA 2018: World Cup fever inspires Panini stickers craze

As many as 11 people have been charged by Brazilian prosecutors for planning to establish an Islamic State cell in Brazil.

The accused have also been charged for trying to recruit jihadists to send to Syria, the federal prosecutor's office in the state of Goias said on Thursday.

According to reports, Federal police managed to track the alleged Islamic State militants through their social media messages.

Spanish police provided telephone numbers found on a Brazilian arrested in Spain for belonging to a jihadist group.

While two Brazilians are currently held in a maximum security prison, five others, who were arrested since October, were freed pending trial.

(With inputs from Reuters)&nbsp;

According to reports, Federal police managed to track the alleged Islamic State militants through their social media messages

As many as 11 people have been charged by Brazilian prosecutors for planning to establish an Islamic State cell in Brazil. The accused have also been charged for trying to recruit jihadists to send to Syria, the federal prosecutor's office in the state of Goias said on Thursday. According to reports, Federal police managed to track the alleged Islamic State militants through their social media messages. Spanish police provided telephone numbers found on a Brazilian arrested in Spain for belonging to a jihadist group. While two Brazilians are currently held in a maximum security prison, five others, who were arrested since October, were freed pending trial. (With inputs from Reuters)

Brazil: 11 people charged for trying to set up Islamic State cell

When the World Cup is held aloft in July, it won't be an Italian lifting the trophy. The eliminated Azzurri will not brighten the tournament, but Italians will still make the cup shine.

The four-time winners' humiliating exit in November's playoff defeat to Sweden cast a pall over one of the world's proudest football nations.

Italy are not going to the World Cup, but the World Cup will come to Italy.

Every four years, in an anonymous building in an industrial town near Milan,&nbsp;amid the clouds of metal dust and sound of presses and hammers, an Italian company gets its hands on the World Cup trophy itself -- and gives it a makeover.&nbsp;

GDE Bertoni, a small business with 12 employees based in the Milanese suburb of Paderno Dugnano, designed and created the current cup in 1971 after Brazil kept the Jules Rimet trophy after they won the World Cup for the third time, and every four years it returned home for a spruce up.

"It's always a special feeling when the original trophy comes back to us, even if we see the replica every day," says Valentina Losa, director of the company her great-grandfather founded in 1938.&nbsp;

The trophy was made by the company's then-artistic director, sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, helped by Valentina's father Giorgio, who suggested the globe at the top of the trophy.

"The original is the original. It's like the difference between seeing the original Mona Lisa or a copy. It's not the same feeling at all."

"Amazing feeling"

Standing in front of an autographed photo of Franz Beckenbauer, who in 1974 became the first captain to lift the new trophy, Losa recounts how her company bagged the contract.

"There were 53 proposals from all over the world, but we were the only ones to have made a model, a physical product," she says. "Having it in front of you, not just a drawing -- that plays."

Soon after every World Cup,&nbsp;FIFA&nbsp;sends the trophy, which is 38 centimetres long and contains more than six kilos of solid gold and malachite, home to be tended to.

"For four years it travels and is exposed to the elements. It's a little damaged, but we put it back into shape," says Pietro Brambilla, one of the Bertoni workshop's eight specialist workers.

Brambilla has no interest in football but something changes when he sees the World Cup winning captain lift the trophy.

"I always shed a tear at that moment because that trophy passed through my hands. It's an amazing feeling," he says.

"Not many people can say that they've held the World Cup."

Coveted

As well as making the original, Bortoni is&nbsp;also responsible for making a replica which the eventual winners of each tournament get to keep.

The replica is made from brass, after which is undergoes a range of treatments&nbsp;including milling and polishing before being bathed in 24-carat gold.

"We do this by eye. Once we see that she is beautiful, it comes out," says Ahmed Ait Siti Abdelkader, depositing a varnish that will keep the trophy shiny for about a decade.

"The World Cup is something different," he adds. "We make a lot of cups here, for Africa, the Gulf, Europe, Central America ... but this one has an extraordinary effect on you, different from all the others."

On July 15 Neymar, Lionel Messi, Hugo Lloris, Sergio Ramos or Manuel Neuer could be lifting the trophy rather than Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon, whose post-elimination tears captured a nation's heart in November. But a few months later it will come home again to an industrial corner of Italy for its regular once over.

"It's such a coveted trophy that when a team wins it, the players mess around with it and take advantage of it -- a bit too much," says Losa.

"Sometimes it comes back with a bit of work to do. Let's just say that in 2006 the Italians really partied."

The eliminated Azzurri will not brighten the tournament, but Italians will still make the cup shine

When the World Cup is held aloft in July, it won't be an Italian lifting the trophy. The eliminated Azzurri will not brighten the tournament, but Italians will still make the cup shine. The four-time winners' humiliating exit in November's playoff defeat to Sweden cast a pall over one of the world's proudest football nations. Italy are not going to the World Cup, but the World Cup will come to Italy. Every four years, in an anonymous building in an industrial town near Milan, amid the clouds of metal dust and sound of presses and hammers, an Italian company gets its hands on the World Cup trophy itself -- and gives it a makeover. GDE Bertoni, a small business with 12 employees based in the Milanese suburb of Paderno Dugnano, designed and created the current cup in 1971 after Brazil kept the Jules Rimet trophy after they won the World Cup for the third time, and every four years it returned home for a spruce up. "It's always a special feeling when the original trophy comes back to us, even if we see the replica every day," says Valentina Losa, director of the company her great-grandfather founded in 1938. The trophy was made by the company's then-artistic director, sculptor Silvio Gazzaniga, helped by Valentina's father Giorgio, who suggested the globe at the top of the trophy. "The original is the original. It's like the difference between seeing the original Mona Lisa or a copy. It's not the same feeling at all." "Amazing feeling" Standing in front of an autographed photo of Franz Beckenbauer, who in 1974 became the first captain to lift the new trophy, Losa recounts how her company bagged the contract. "There were 53 proposals from all over the world, but we were the only ones to have made a model, a physical product," she says. "Having it in front of you, not just a drawing -- that plays." Soon after every World Cup, FIFA sends the trophy, which is 38 centimetres long and contains more than six kilos of solid gold and malachite, home to be tended to. "For four years it travels and is exposed to the elements. It's a little damaged, but we put it back into shape," says Pietro Brambilla, one of the Bertoni workshop's eight specialist workers. Brambilla has no interest in football but something changes when he sees the World Cup winning captain lift the trophy. "I always shed a tear at that moment because that trophy passed through my hands. It's an amazing feeling," he says. "Not many people can say that they've held the World Cup." Coveted As well as making the original, Bortoni is also responsible for making a replica which the eventual winners of each tournament get to keep. The replica is made from brass, after which is undergoes a range of treatments including milling and polishing before being bathed in 24-carat gold. "We do this by eye. Once we see that she is beautiful, it comes out," says Ahmed Ait Siti Abdelkader, depositing a varnish that will keep the trophy shiny for about a decade. "The World Cup is something different," he adds. "We make a lot of cups here, for Africa, the Gulf, Europe, Central America ... but this one has an extraordinary effect on you, different from all the others." On July 15 Neymar, Lionel Messi, Hugo Lloris, Sergio Ramos or Manuel Neuer could be lifting the trophy rather than Italy captain Gianluigi Buffon, whose post-elimination tears captured a nation's heart in November. But a few months later it will come home again to an industrial corner of Italy for its regular once over. "It's such a coveted trophy that when a team wins it, the players mess around with it and take advantage of it -- a bit too much," says Losa. "Sometimes it comes back with a bit of work to do. Let's just say that in 2006 the Italians really partied."

FIFA 2018: Italy not going to World Cup but World Cup comes to Italy

Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves suffered a knee injury while playing Coupe de France final match and immediately attended by a team of doctors. Now, it is confirmed now that he won't be able to recover in time to make it to Russia.

The Brazilian football federation (CBF) has confirmed it that Brazil right-back Dani Alves has been ruled out of the FIFA 2018.

Dani Alves' ouster is a major blow to the Brazil team as Alves has been a key figure for upcoming football world cup.

<img alt="000_14S5ZL_0.jpg" data-entity-type="" data-entity-uuid="" height="430" src="http://images.wionews.com/iniline-images/sports/000_14S5ZL_0.jpg" width="770" />

Brazil coach, Tite have already been dealing with injuries of star player Neymar and defender Filipe Luis and now Dani Alves ouster is a big concern.&nbsp;

Although, Brazil team are aiming for a sixth title, starts in Russia on June 14.

The Brazilian football federation (CBF) has confirmed it that Brazil right-back Dani Alves has been ruled out of the FIFA 2018 due to a knee injury

Paris Saint-Germain defender Dani Alves suffered a knee injury while playing Coupe de France final match and immediately attended by a team of doctors. Now, it is confirmed now that he won't be able to recover in time to make it to Russia. The Brazilian football federation (CBF) has confirmed it that Brazil right-back Dani Alves has been ruled out of the FIFA 2018. Dani Alves' ouster is a major blow to the Brazil team as Alves has been a key figure for upcoming football world cup. Brazil coach, Tite have already been dealing with injuries of star player Neymar and defender Filipe Luis and now Dani Alves ouster is a big concern. Although, Brazil team are aiming for a sixth title, starts in Russia on June 14.

Major blow to Brazil as Dani Alves ruled out of FIFA 2018

Brazil's first lady Marcela Temer leapt fully clothed into a lake at the presidential palace to rescue her pet dog -- then got roasted on social media.

The 34-year-old former beauty queen jumped into the lake after her Jack Russell named Picoly went after some ducks but struggled to get back out.

Although the drama occurred on April 22, it only became public this week.

Brazilian media and Twitter wits mocked the first lady's heroics, making the incident a top trending topic late Monday.

Given that her husband Michel Temer is the most unpopular president on record in Brazilian history, leftist blogger Leonardo Stoppa joked that Marcela's aim was not to save the dog but the duck.

"She despaired, because she saw one of Temer's few voters," he said in a YouTube broadcast.

Michel Temer, who is more than four decades older than his wife and embroiled in multiple corruption investigations, took another hit from blogger Jose Simao, who tweeted: "Marcela's dog tried to commit suicide! It couldn't put up with Temer!"

Referencing comparisons between Temer and vampires -- a jibe that took centre stage at this year's Rio carnival -- one tweeter said he wasn't surprised Marcela cared so much about animals.

"It's obvious," he wrote. "Because she married a BAT."

The 34-year-old former beauty queen, Marcela Temer, jumped into the lake after her Jack Russell named Picoly went after some ducks but struggled to get back out

Brazil's first lady Marcela Temer leapt fully clothed into a lake at the presidential palace to rescue her pet dog -- then got roasted on social media. The 34-year-old former beauty queen jumped into the lake after her Jack Russell named Picoly went after some ducks but struggled to get back out. Although the drama occurred on April 22, it only became public this week. Brazilian media and Twitter wits mocked the first lady's heroics, making the incident a top trending topic late Monday. Given that her husband Michel Temer is the most unpopular president on record in Brazilian history, leftist blogger Leonardo Stoppa joked that Marcela's aim was not to save the dog but the duck. "She despaired, because she saw one of Temer's few voters," he said in a YouTube broadcast. Michel Temer, who is more than four decades older than his wife and embroiled in multiple corruption investigations, took another hit from blogger Jose Simao, who tweeted: "Marcela's dog tried to commit suicide! It couldn't put up with Temer!" Referencing comparisons between Temer and vampires -- a jibe that took centre stage at this year's Rio carnival -- one tweeter said he wasn't surprised Marcela cared so much about animals. "It's obvious," he wrote. "Because she married a BAT."

Brazil first lady jumps into lake to rescue dog, gets roasted on social media

A twenty four-storeyed tower block in Sao Paulo, Brazil collapsed after a massive fire tore through it.

Video clips of the horrific incident, shot by local onlookers, are now doing the rounds on the internet.&nbsp;

A video of the incident shared by a Twitter user shows the building blazing in the fire.

The footage shows the lower storeys of the building engulfed in fire that also covered the structure on all sides shortly after, the building comes crashing down.&nbsp;

No information on the number of casualties is available so far. However, the video shows some residents trapped inside, crying for help.&nbsp;

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Um prédio do Largo do Paissandu desabando agora a pouco <a href="https://t.co/wntceeK6w6">pic.twitter.com/wntceeK6w6</a>
— Richard Paiva (@orichardpaiva) <a href="https://twitter.com/orichardpaiva/status/991198886688632833?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 1, 2018</a></blockquote>
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More details are awaited.&nbsp;

 
&nbsp;

No information on the number of casualties is available so far

A twenty four-storeyed tower block in Sao Paulo, Brazil collapsed after a massive fire tore through it. Video clips of the horrific incident, shot by local onlookers, are now doing the rounds on the internet. A video of the incident shared by a Twitter user shows the building blazing in the fire. The footage shows the lower storeys of the building engulfed in fire that also covered the structure on all sides shortly after, the building comes crashing down. No information on the number of casualties is available so far. However, the video shows some residents trapped inside, crying for help. Um prédio do Largo do Paissandu desabando agora a pouco pic.twitter.com/wntceeK6w6 — Richard Paiva (@orichardpaiva) May 1, 2018 × More details are awaited.

Watch: 24-storeyed building catches fire in Brazil, crumbles

Brazilian football chief President Marco Polo Del Nero has been banned from football for life by FIFA's ethics committee for bribery, the global soccer body said on Friday.

FIFA said that Del Nero had been investigated over "schemes in which he received bribes in exchange for his role in awarding contracts to companies for the media and marketing rights to various football tournaments."

In doing so, he violated ethics rules on bribery, offering and accepting gifts, loyalty, conflict of interest and general rules of conduct, FIFA said.

Del Nero, a former member of FIFA's executive committee, could not immediately be reached for comment although he has previously denied wrongdoing.

He was among several dozen soccer officials and sports marketing executives indicted in the United States in 2015 in a corruption scandal that sparked the biggest crisis in FIFA’s history.

Brazil does not allow the extradition of its own citizens and Del Nero had remained as president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) until the FIFA provisionally suspended him in December.

Brazilian football chief President Marco Polo Del Nero has been banned from football for life by FIFA's ethics committee for bribery, the global soccer body

Brazilian football chief President Marco Polo Del Nero has been banned from football for life by FIFA's ethics committee for bribery, the global soccer body said on Friday. FIFA said that Del Nero had been investigated over "schemes in which he received bribes in exchange for his role in awarding contracts to companies for the media and marketing rights to various football tournaments." In doing so, he violated ethics rules on bribery, offering and accepting gifts, loyalty, conflict of interest and general rules of conduct, FIFA said. Del Nero, a former member of FIFA's executive committee, could not immediately be reached for comment although he has previously denied wrongdoing. He was among several dozen soccer officials and sports marketing executives indicted in the United States in 2015 in a corruption scandal that sparked the biggest crisis in FIFA’s history. Brazil does not allow the extradition of its own citizens and Del Nero had remained as president of the Brazilian Football Confederation (CBF) until the FIFA provisionally suspended him in December.

Brazilian football boss Del Nero gets life ban

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday backed air strikes by the United States and its allies on Syria's chemical weapons program but Argentina, Brazil and Peru voiced caution during a regional summit about the escalating military action.

Speaking at the Summit of the Americas in Peru, Trudeau and several other Western Hemisphere leaders forcefully condemned the use of chemical weapons, following a suspected poison gas attack last week in a Damascus suburb that killed up to 75 people and sparked international outcry.

Washington blamed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government for the attack and, together with Britain and France, launched missile strikes overnight on what it said were Syrian chemical weapons facilities.

"Canada stands with our friends in this necessary response and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in last week's attack," Trudeau said in his speech. "Those responsible must be brought to justice."

But the retaliatory action drew pleas for caution from several Latin American countries.

"There's deep concern in Brazil with the escalation of military conflict in Syria," Brazilian President Michel Temer told the summit. "It's time to find permanent solutions based on international law to a war that has been going for far too long and ended too many lives."

Peru, a non-permanent member of the UN&nbsp;Security Council, called for moderation from all parties involved in Syria and said it was working to find a political solution, according to a foreign ministry statement.

Argentine President Mauricio Macri also appealed for greater coordination on Syria "in the framework of existing international commitments", remarks later echoed by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto.

Outside the summit, the strikes drew swift condemnation from left-leaning governments in Bolivia and Cuba, outspoken critics of US&nbsp;influence.

But Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, a close US&nbsp;ally in Latin America, appeared to back Washington as he condemned chemical weapons.

"We support actions to punish their use and seek their total elimination," Santos said.

The Pentagon said the missile strikes in Syria had hit every target. It said the military action was aimed at delivering an unambiguous signal to the Syrian government and deterring the future use of chemical weapons.

The official theme of the Summit of the Americas is the fight against corruption. Many countries in attendance are also expected to condemn a pending election in Venezuela.

But Syria, China and trade loomed over the talks on Saturday as Washington seeks to advance the agenda of U.S. President Donald Trump, which is widely unpopular in the region.

Trump canceled his attendance at the summit to focus on Syria. US Vice President Mike Pence, filling in for him, was expected to discuss Syria in his speech on Saturday and in meetings with heads of state.

Nafta talks

Pence met with Pena Nieto privately at the summit. The Mexican leader told reporters they would discuss not just the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) but also maintaining a relationship of "mutual respect" between their two countries.

Pence and Pena Nieto kept their remarks to reporters extremely brief - in contrast to the more expansive and warmer tone struck by Pence and Trudeau during the public part of a meeting held minutes earlier.

Trudeau said there was "positive momentum" on reworking the NAFTA accord - which groups Canada, Mexico and the United States - while Pence said talks were encouraging.

"As the president said very recently, we think we're close," Pence said before starting the meeting with Pena Nieto. "We are hopeful that we can conclude a successful renegotiation of NAFTA."

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday backed air strikes by the United States and its allies on Syria's chemical weapons program but Argentina, Brazil and Peru voiced caution during a regional summit about the escalating military action

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Saturday backed air strikes by the United States and its allies on Syria's chemical weapons program but Argentina, Brazil and Peru voiced caution during a regional summit about the escalating military action. Speaking at the Summit of the Americas in Peru, Trudeau and several other Western Hemisphere leaders forcefully condemned the use of chemical weapons, following a suspected poison gas attack last week in a Damascus suburb that killed up to 75 people and sparked international outcry. Washington blamed Syrian President Bashar al-Assad's government for the attack and, together with Britain and France, launched missile strikes overnight on what it said were Syrian chemical weapons facilities. "Canada stands with our friends in this necessary response and we condemn in the strongest possible terms the use of chemical weapons in last week's attack," Trudeau said in his speech. "Those responsible must be brought to justice." But the retaliatory action drew pleas for caution from several Latin American countries. "There's deep concern in Brazil with the escalation of military conflict in Syria," Brazilian President Michel Temer told the summit. "It's time to find permanent solutions based on international law to a war that has been going for far too long and ended too many lives." Peru, a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council, called for moderation from all parties involved in Syria and said it was working to find a political solution, according to a foreign ministry statement. Argentine President Mauricio Macri also appealed for greater coordination on Syria "in the framework of existing international commitments", remarks later echoed by Mexican President Enrique Pena Nieto. Outside the summit, the strikes drew swift condemnation from left-leaning governments in Bolivia and Cuba, outspoken critics of US influence. But Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos, a close US ally in Latin America, appeared to back Washington as he condemned chemical weapons. "We support actions to punish their use and seek their total elimination," Santos said. The Pentagon said the missile strikes in Syria had hit every target. It said the military action was aimed at delivering an unambiguous signal to the Syrian government and deterring the future use of chemical weapons. The official theme of the Summit of the Americas is the fight against corruption. Many countries in attendance are also expected to condemn a pending election in Venezuela. But Syria, China and trade loomed over the talks on Saturday as Washington seeks to advance the agenda of U.S. President Donald Trump, which is widely unpopular in the region. Trump canceled his attendance at the summit to focus on Syria. US Vice President Mike Pence, filling in for him, was expected to discuss Syria in his speech on Saturday and in meetings with heads of state. Nafta talks Pence met with Pena Nieto privately at the summit. The Mexican leader told reporters they would discuss not just the renegotiation of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) but also maintaining a relationship of "mutual respect" between their two countries. Pence and Pena Nieto kept their remarks to reporters extremely brief - in contrast to the more expansive and warmer tone struck by Pence and Trudeau during the public part of a meeting held minutes earlier. Trudeau said there was "positive momentum" on reworking the NAFTA accord - which groups Canada, Mexico and the United States - while Pence said talks were encouraging. "As the president said very recently, we think we're close," Pence said before starting the meeting with Pena Nieto. "We are hopeful that we can conclude a successful renegotiation of NAFTA."

Canada backs Syria strikes but others concerned at Americas summit

Facebook is committed to ensure the integrity of key elections across the world, including in India, its founder Mark Zuckerberg said as he testified before the US Congress over the massive Cambridge Analytica scandal that has shaken the social media giant.

Zuckerberg's testimony came after it was revealed in March that British firm Cambridge Analytica tied to US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign improperly collected profile data of up to 87 million Facebook users.

The scandal shook confidence in Facebook, leading some people to go as far as abandoning the social media site altogether&nbspa revolt called the hashtag #DeleteFacebook.

Zuckerberg, who is also the CEO of Facebook, said data privacy and foreign interference in elections were topics that they have discussed at the Facebook board meeting.

"These are some of the biggest issues that the company has faced, and we feel a huge responsibility to get these right," Zuckerberg told lawmakers during the Congressional hearing, adding that "this is one of my top priorities in 2018".

He said Facebook was taking steps to ensure the integrity of elections in countries like the United States, India, Brazil, and Pakistan.

"2018 is is an incredibly important year for elections. Not just in the US mid-terms, but, around the world, there are important elections -- in India, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Hungary -- and we want to make sure we do everything we can to protect the integrity of these elections," he said.

Zuckerberg organisation faces charges of failing to prevent Cambridge Analytica from gathering personal information of Facebook users to try to influence an election.

Zuckerberg said his one of the greatest regrets was that Facebook has been slow in identifying the Russian information operations in 2016.

"We expected them to do a number of more traditional cyber attacks, which we did identify and notify the campaigns that they were trying to hack into them," he said.

The Facebook CEO said he was now more confident as his company has set the things right. Since the 2016 election, there have been several important elections around the world where it has had a better record, he said.

There was the French presidential election. There was the German election. There was the US Senate Alabama special election last year," Zuckerberg added.

He said Facebook has deployed new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that better identify fake accounts, trying to interfere in elections or spread misinformation.

"Between those three elections, we were able to proactively remove tens of thousands of accounts before they could do significant harm," he said.

"And the nature of these attacks, though, is that there are people in Russia whose job is to try to exploit our systems and other internet systems, and other systems, as well. So this is an arms race, right? I mean, they're going to keep on getting better at this, and we need to invest in keeping on getting better at this, too, which is why one of the things I mentioned before is we're going to have more than 20,000 people, by the end of this year, working on security and content review across the company," he said.

Zuckerberg said they had developed tools which identify people when they try to create fake accounts.

Your content has to be authentic. So we build technical tools to try to identify when people are creating fake accounts, especially large networks of fake accounts, like the Russians have in order to remove all of that content," he said.

Zuckerberg said after the US 2016 election, Facebook's top priority was to protect the integrity of other elections around the world.

"What we're going to do is to ask a valid government identity and we're going to verify the location. We are going to do that so that someone sitting in Russia, for example, couldn't say that they're in America and, therefore, able to run an election ad," he said.

Mark Zuckerberg's testimony came after it was revealed in March that British firm Cambridge Analytica tied to US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign improperly collected profile data of up to 87 million Facebook users

Facebook is committed to ensure the integrity of key elections across the world, including in India, its founder Mark Zuckerberg said as he testified before the US Congress over the massive Cambridge Analytica scandal that has shaken the social media giant. Zuckerberg's testimony came after it was revealed in March that British firm Cambridge Analytica tied to US President Donald Trump's 2016 campaign improperly collected profile data of up to 87 million Facebook users. The scandal shook confidence in Facebook, leading some people to go as far as abandoning the social media site altogether&nbspa revolt called the hashtag #DeleteFacebook. Zuckerberg, who is also the CEO of Facebook, said data privacy and foreign interference in elections were topics that they have discussed at the Facebook board meeting. "These are some of the biggest issues that the company has faced, and we feel a huge responsibility to get these right," Zuckerberg told lawmakers during the Congressional hearing, adding that "this is one of my top priorities in 2018". He said Facebook was taking steps to ensure the integrity of elections in countries like the United States, India, Brazil, and Pakistan. "2018 is is an incredibly important year for elections. Not just in the US mid-terms, but, around the world, there are important elections -- in India, Brazil, Mexico, Pakistan, and Hungary -- and we want to make sure we do everything we can to protect the integrity of these elections," he said. Zuckerberg organisation faces charges of failing to prevent Cambridge Analytica from gathering personal information of Facebook users to try to influence an election. Zuckerberg said his one of the greatest regrets was that Facebook has been slow in identifying the Russian information operations in 2016. "We expected them to do a number of more traditional cyber attacks, which we did identify and notify the campaigns that they were trying to hack into them," he said. The Facebook CEO said he was now more confident as his company has set the things right. Since the 2016 election, there have been several important elections around the world where it has had a better record, he said. There was the French presidential election. There was the German election. There was the US Senate Alabama special election last year," Zuckerberg added. He said Facebook has deployed new Artificial Intelligence (AI) tools that better identify fake accounts, trying to interfere in elections or spread misinformation. "Between those three elections, we were able to proactively remove tens of thousands of accounts before they could do significant harm," he said. "And the nature of these attacks, though, is that there are people in Russia whose job is to try to exploit our systems and other internet systems, and other systems, as well. So this is an arms race, right? I mean, they're going to keep on getting better at this, and we need to invest in keeping on getting better at this, too, which is why one of the things I mentioned before is we're going to have more than 20,000 people, by the end of this year, working on security and content review across the company," he said. Zuckerberg said they had developed tools which identify people when they try to create fake accounts. Your content has to be authentic. So we build technical tools to try to identify when people are creating fake accounts, especially large networks of fake accounts, like the Russians have in order to remove all of that content," he said. Zuckerberg said after the US 2016 election, Facebook's top priority was to protect the integrity of other elections around the world. "What we're going to do is to ask a valid government identity and we're going to verify the location. We are going to do that so that someone sitting in Russia, for example, couldn't say that they're in America and, therefore, able to run an election ad," he said.

Facebook committed to ensure integrity of elections in India, other countries: Zuckerberg

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg during his congressional hearing today said he wants to ensure protection of integrity of elections, mentioning that he knows the importance of the upcoming polls in countries, including India, Hungary and Brazil.

Zuckerberg faced a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees.

He noted that there are several important elections in 2018 in countries like India, Hungary and Brazil and his company wants to ensure protection of integrity in these elections.

Zuckerberg, 33, testified before the senators and a House panel amid a firestorm over the alleged hijacking of data of millions of Facebook users by British firm Cambridge Analytica.

Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has disclosed his company is "working with" special counsel Robert Mueller in the federal probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign and working hard to change its own operations after the harvesting of users' private information by a Trump campaign-affiliated data-mining company.

The founder of the social media giant publicly apologized for his company's errors in failing to better protect the personal information of its millions of users, a controversy that has brought a flood of bad publicity and sent the company's stock value plunging. He seemed to achieve a measure of success: Facebook shares surged 4.5 per cent for the day, the biggest gain in two years.

Zuckerberg told the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees that he has not been personally interviewed by Mueller's team, but "I know we're working with them." He offered no details, citing a concern about confidentiality rules of the investigation.

Earlier this year Mueller charged 13 Russian individuals and three Russian companies in a plot to interfere in the 2016 presidential election through a social media propaganda effort that included online ad purchases using US aliases and politicking on U.S. soil. A number of the Russian ads were on Facebook.

During yesterday's at-times-contentious hearing, Zuckerberg said it had been "clearly a mistake" to believe the data-mining company Cambridge Analytica had deleted user data that it had harvested in an attempt to sway elections. He said Facebook had considered the data collection "a closed case" because it thought the information had been discarded.

Facebook also didn't alert the Federal Trade Commission, Zuckerberg said, and he assured senators the company would handle the situation differently today.

He began a two-day congressional inquisition with a public apology for the way Facebook handled the data-mining of its users' data. He took responsibility for failing to prevent Cambridge Analytica, which was affiliated with Donald Trump's presidential campaign, from gathering personal information from 87 million users.

Separately, the company began alerting some of its users that their data was gathered by Cambridge Analytica. A notification that appeared on Facebook for some users Tuesday told them that "one of your friends" used Facebook to log into a now-banned personality quiz app called "This Is Your Digital Life." The notice says the app misused the information, including public profiles, page likes, birthdays and current cities, by sharing it with Cambridge Analytica.

Zuckerberg had apologized many times already, to users and the public, but this was the first time before Congress. He also is to testify Wednesday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the Commerce Committee chairman, told Zuckerberg his company had a 14-year history of apologizing for "ill-advised decisions" related to user privacy. "How is today's apology different?" Thune asked.

"We have made a lot of mistakes in running the company," Zuckerberg responded. "I think it's pretty much impossible, I believe, to start a company in your dorm room and then grow it to be at the scale that we're at now without making some mistakes." Zuckerberg said Facebook is going through "a broader philosophical shift in how we approach our responsibility as a company." He said the company needs to take a "more proactive role" that includes ensuring the tools it creates are used in "good and healthy" ways.

Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Zuckerberg's appearance marked the most intense hearing for a tech company since entrepreneur and businessman Bill Gates testified before Congress in March 1998.

Many of the senators' questions seemed to focus on Facebook's basic functions, such as its privacy settings and what it does and doesn't do with user data. Because each of the 44 senators had just 5 minutes to ask questions, there was little time for tough follow-ups. On some subjects, that allowed Zuckerberg to tell the lawmakers that his people would get back to them with more information.

In the hearings, Zuckerberg is trying to both restore public trust in his company and stave off federal regulations that some lawmakers have floated. In his opening statement, he also apologized for his company's involvement in facilitating fake news and Russian interference in the elections.

Zuckerberg said at a congressional hearing that he knows the importance of upcoming polls in India, Hungary and Brazil

Facebook founder Mark Zuckerberg during his congressional hearing today said he wants to ensure protection of integrity of elections, mentioning that he knows the importance of the upcoming polls in countries, including India, Hungary and Brazil. Zuckerberg faced a joint hearing of the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees. He noted that there are several important elections in 2018 in countries like India, Hungary and Brazil and his company wants to ensure protection of integrity in these elections. Zuckerberg, 33, testified before the senators and a House panel amid a firestorm over the alleged hijacking of data of millions of Facebook users by British firm Cambridge Analytica. Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg has disclosed his company is "working with" special counsel Robert Mueller in the federal probe of Russian interference in the 2016 presidential campaign and working hard to change its own operations after the harvesting of users' private information by a Trump campaign-affiliated data-mining company. The founder of the social media giant publicly apologized for his company's errors in failing to better protect the personal information of its millions of users, a controversy that has brought a flood of bad publicity and sent the company's stock value plunging. He seemed to achieve a measure of success: Facebook shares surged 4.5 per cent for the day, the biggest gain in two years. Zuckerberg told the Senate Judiciary and Commerce committees that he has not been personally interviewed by Mueller's team, but "I know we're working with them." He offered no details, citing a concern about confidentiality rules of the investigation. Earlier this year Mueller charged 13 Russian individuals and three Russian companies in a plot to interfere in the 2016 presidential election through a social media propaganda effort that included online ad purchases using US aliases and politicking on U.S. soil. A number of the Russian ads were on Facebook. During yesterday's at-times-contentious hearing, Zuckerberg said it had been "clearly a mistake" to believe the data-mining company Cambridge Analytica had deleted user data that it had harvested in an attempt to sway elections. He said Facebook had considered the data collection "a closed case" because it thought the information had been discarded. Facebook also didn't alert the Federal Trade Commission, Zuckerberg said, and he assured senators the company would handle the situation differently today. He began a two-day congressional inquisition with a public apology for the way Facebook handled the data-mining of its users' data. He took responsibility for failing to prevent Cambridge Analytica, which was affiliated with Donald Trump's presidential campaign, from gathering personal information from 87 million users. Separately, the company began alerting some of its users that their data was gathered by Cambridge Analytica. A notification that appeared on Facebook for some users Tuesday told them that "one of your friends" used Facebook to log into a now-banned personality quiz app called "This Is Your Digital Life." The notice says the app misused the information, including public profiles, page likes, birthdays and current cities, by sharing it with Cambridge Analytica. Zuckerberg had apologized many times already, to users and the public, but this was the first time before Congress. He also is to testify Wednesday before the House Energy and Commerce Committee. Sen. John Thune, R-S.D., the Commerce Committee chairman, told Zuckerberg his company had a 14-year history of apologizing for "ill-advised decisions" related to user privacy. "How is today's apology different?" Thune asked. "We have made a lot of mistakes in running the company," Zuckerberg responded. "I think it's pretty much impossible, I believe, to start a company in your dorm room and then grow it to be at the scale that we're at now without making some mistakes." Zuckerberg said Facebook is going through "a broader philosophical shift in how we approach our responsibility as a company." He said the company needs to take a "more proactive role" that includes ensuring the tools it creates are used in "good and healthy" ways. Sen. Orrin Hatch, R-Utah, said Zuckerberg's appearance marked the most intense hearing for a tech company since entrepreneur and businessman Bill Gates testified before Congress in March 1998. Many of the senators' questions seemed to focus on Facebook's basic functions, such as its privacy settings and what it does and doesn't do with user data. Because each of the 44 senators had just 5 minutes to ask questions, there was little time for tough follow-ups. On some subjects, that allowed Zuckerberg to tell the lawmakers that his people would get back to them with more information. In the hearings, Zuckerberg is trying to both restore public trust in his company and stave off federal regulations that some lawmakers have floated. In his opening statement, he also apologized for his company's involvement in facilitating fake news and Russian interference in the elections.

Want to ensure integrity of elections in India: Facebook's Zuckerberg

Defender Thiago Silva believes Brazil restored some pride in the famous shirt after a 1-0 friendly win over Germany in Berlin allowed his team to put their 2014 World Cup mauling behind them.

Gabriel Jesus' first-half goal at a sold-out Olympic Stadium on Tuesday saw Brazil end Germany's unbeaten run of 22 games dating back to their Euro 2016 semi-final defeat by hosts France.

"It was a matter of pride, after all that has been written and said," said Silva, who was suspended for the 7-1 rout in Belo Horizonte nearly four years ago.

"This jersey deserves a little more respect. That's why I'm overjoyed about winning against a big opponent."

The friendly victory gained a measure of revenge for five-time world champions Brazil, whose coach Tite had admitted are still haunted by the thrashing in the semi-finals of the last World Cup.

The 56-year-old, nicknamed 'The Professor', said his side had learnt the lesson and showed cool heads in chilly Berlin.

"You media has spoken a lot about this (7-1) result, the reality that it is over -- we simply played well here and we won," said Tite.

"We had no anger or hatred, you can't play well with emotions like that.

"We weren't trying to rebuild lost pride, we just wanted to put in a good performance.

"There are positive things to take from the game and the result, but we made a few mistakes, we gave away some possession and we lacked some width in our game."

Tite said he was pleased to see Brazil earn wins over Russia and now Germany in the last week without injured star forward Neymar.

"We are learning to play well without Neymar and that is part of our strength," said the Brazil boss.

Defending world champions Germany are now winless in their last four games after draws against England, France and Spain.

"We have lost the game, but we can live with it as we have four or five points which we need to intensively work on," said Germany head coach Joachim Loew.

"It was to be expected that Brazil, with their injured soul, played their best team and were highly motivated.

"It wasn't our day. We made too many mistakes, which allowed Brazil to grow in strength and confidence.

"We had a few young players, who will learn from this, but in addition, the body language was not right from some players."

There was some relief for Loew after Germany captain Jerome Boateng twisted ankle ligaments and had to come off in the second half.

"I don't think it's so bad and that nothing is torn," revealed Loew.

The Germany boss made seven changes from the team which started the 1-1 draw with Spain last Friday and included just two World Cup-winners.

Kroos felt some fringe players had blown their chance at a place in Germany's World Cup squad.

"There were a few players who had the chance to show what they could do, but didn't take it -- that's annoying," said the Real Madrid midfielder.

"We saw today that we aren't as good as we are made out to be and as some players believe.

"There is a lot of room for improvement."

'This jersey deserves a little more respect. That's why I'm overjoyed about winning against a big opponent,' says Brazilian defender Thiago Silva

Defender Thiago Silva believes Brazil restored some pride in the famous shirt after a 1-0 friendly win over Germany in Berlin allowed his team to put their 2014 World Cup mauling behind them. Gabriel Jesus' first-half goal at a sold-out Olympic Stadium on Tuesday saw Brazil end Germany's unbeaten run of 22 games dating back to their Euro 2016 semi-final defeat by hosts France. "It was a matter of pride, after all that has been written and said," said Silva, who was suspended for the 7-1 rout in Belo Horizonte nearly four years ago. "This jersey deserves a little more respect. That's why I'm overjoyed about winning against a big opponent." The friendly victory gained a measure of revenge for five-time world champions Brazil, whose coach Tite had admitted are still haunted by the thrashing in the semi-finals of the last World Cup. The 56-year-old, nicknamed 'The Professor', said his side had learnt the lesson and showed cool heads in chilly Berlin. "You media has spoken a lot about this (7-1) result, the reality that it is over -- we simply played well here and we won," said Tite. "We had no anger or hatred, you can't play well with emotions like that. "We weren't trying to rebuild lost pride, we just wanted to put in a good performance. "There are positive things to take from the game and the result, but we made a few mistakes, we gave away some possession and we lacked some width in our game." Tite said he was pleased to see Brazil earn wins over Russia and now Germany in the last week without injured star forward Neymar. "We are learning to play well without Neymar and that is part of our strength," said the Brazil boss. Defending world champions Germany are now winless in their last four games after draws against England, France and Spain. "We have lost the game, but we can live with it as we have four or five points which we need to intensively work on," said Germany head coach Joachim Loew. "It was to be expected that Brazil, with their injured soul, played their best team and were highly motivated. "It wasn't our day. We made too many mistakes, which allowed Brazil to grow in strength and confidence. "We had a few young players, who will learn from this, but in addition, the body language was not right from some players." There was some relief for Loew after Germany captain Jerome Boateng twisted ankle ligaments and had to come off in the second half. "I don't think it's so bad and that nothing is torn," revealed Loew. The Germany boss made seven changes from the team which started the 1-1 draw with Spain last Friday and included just two World Cup-winners. Kroos felt some fringe players had blown their chance at a place in Germany's World Cup squad. "There were a few players who had the chance to show what they could do, but didn't take it -- that's annoying," said the Real Madrid midfielder. "We saw today that we aren't as good as we are made out to be and as some players believe. "There is a lot of room for improvement."

World Cup friendlies: Brazil restored pride by beating Germany

Brazil coach Tite says the "ghost" of their 7-1 mauling by Germany at the 2014 World Cup still haunts the 'Selecao', as the teams prepare to meet on Tuesday.

Brazil suffered their heaviest home defeat when Germany hit four goals in six devastating first-half minutes of the Belo Horizonte semi-final nearly four years ago.

Toni Kroos and Andre Schuerrle both scored twice over the 90 minutes as Germany's attack ran riot en route to winning the World Cup title.

The teams meet in a friendly for the first time since at Berlin's Olympic Stadium and Tite says Brazil still bear the scars.

"This has a huge psychological meaning - no one needs to fool themselves about that," Tite told German magazine Kicker.

"The 7-1 from the World Cup is like a ghost.

"It's present, people still talk about it, but the more you talk about it, the less this 'ghost' disappears.

"It won't just be a sporting challenge, but a huge emotional challenge too.

"We are preparing to give our best performance, which will be important, but of course I also want a good result."

Tite has been in charge of Brazil since 2016, but Felipe Scolari was head coach for the mauling by Germany at the last World Cup.

"I was watching the game at home in Sao Paulo with my wife and after the third goal went in, she started to cry," said the 56-year-old Tite.

"That started me off.

"It was a moment of great inspiration for Germany, every shot was a goal - stuff like that doesn't even happen in video games.

"Sometimes you get that in football, a team comes close to perfection and that's what happened to Germany.

"The wound is still open and the match in Berlin is a part of the process of closing it."

Germany lost to Brazil on penalties in the men's final of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but this is their first meeting at the senior international level since the 7-1 rout.

Tite told Brazil reporters that Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho will replace Douglas Costa in the only change from the team which beat Russia 3-0 in Moscow on Friday.

Germany head coach Joachim Loew expects to make up to five changes from the starting line-up of Friday's 1-1 with Spain.

Stars Mesut Ozil and Thomas Mueller have been released by Loew to rest while Ilkay Gundogan is expected to start in Germany's midfield.&nbsp

Tite explained in depth why he sees Germany as one of the favourites to defend their World Cup title this June in Russia.

"Not only because of the football, but because of something hard to attain: continuity in their performances," said the Brazilian.

"It has been a process in the years under Joachim Loew.

"Tactically, Germany has a lot of options, you saw that at the Confederations Cup (which they won) with high-quality young players."

Brazil suffered their heaviest home defeat when Germany hit four goals in six devastating first-half minutes of the Belo Horizonte semi-final nearly four years ago

Brazil coach Tite says the "ghost" of their 7-1 mauling by Germany at the 2014 World Cup still haunts the 'Selecao', as the teams prepare to meet on Tuesday. Brazil suffered their heaviest home defeat when Germany hit four goals in six devastating first-half minutes of the Belo Horizonte semi-final nearly four years ago. Toni Kroos and Andre Schuerrle both scored twice over the 90 minutes as Germany's attack ran riot en route to winning the World Cup title. The teams meet in a friendly for the first time since at Berlin's Olympic Stadium and Tite says Brazil still bear the scars. "This has a huge psychological meaning - no one needs to fool themselves about that," Tite told German magazine Kicker. "The 7-1 from the World Cup is like a ghost. "It's present, people still talk about it, but the more you talk about it, the less this 'ghost' disappears. "It won't just be a sporting challenge, but a huge emotional challenge too. "We are preparing to give our best performance, which will be important, but of course I also want a good result." Tite has been in charge of Brazil since 2016, but Felipe Scolari was head coach for the mauling by Germany at the last World Cup. "I was watching the game at home in Sao Paulo with my wife and after the third goal went in, she started to cry," said the 56-year-old Tite. "That started me off. "It was a moment of great inspiration for Germany, every shot was a goal - stuff like that doesn't even happen in video games. "Sometimes you get that in football, a team comes close to perfection and that's what happened to Germany. "The wound is still open and the match in Berlin is a part of the process of closing it." Germany lost to Brazil on penalties in the men's final of the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, but this is their first meeting at the senior international level since the 7-1 rout. Tite told Brazil reporters that Manchester City midfielder Fernandinho will replace Douglas Costa in the only change from the team which beat Russia 3-0 in Moscow on Friday. Germany head coach Joachim Loew expects to make up to five changes from the starting line-up of Friday's 1-1 with Spain. Stars Mesut Ozil and Thomas Mueller have been released by Loew to rest while Ilkay Gundogan is expected to start in Germany's midfield. Tite explained in depth why he sees Germany as one of the favourites to defend their World Cup title this June in Russia. "Not only because of the football, but because of something hard to attain: continuity in their performances," said the Brazilian. "It has been a process in the years under Joachim Loew. "Tactically, Germany has a lot of options, you saw that at the Confederations Cup (which they won) with high-quality young players."

'Ghost' of 7-1 Germany mauling still haunts Brazil: Tite

Female Brazilian sports journalists fed up with being groped, insulted and kissed while on the job are showing sexual harassment the red card.

An online campaign under the hashtag #DeixaElaTrabalhar, or #LetHerWork, is making waves simply by demanding that the male-dominated sports world treat female reporters with respect.

Several women journalists appear in a campaign video that opens with footage of Bruna Dealtry, from Esporte Interativo, recoiling from a shirtless football supporter when he suddenly kisses her face as she reports from a busy fan zone.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
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<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-lang="en">
Standing with my fellow Brazilian women. <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/deixaelatrabalhar?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#deixaelatrabalhar</a> <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/letherwork?src=hash&ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#letherwork</a> ?? <a href="https://twitter.com/HugoGloss?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@HugoGloss</a> <a href="https://t.co/8EoPQYS6G1">pic.twitter.com/8EoPQYS6G1</a>
— Morena Baccarin (@missmorenab) <a href="https://twitter.com/missmorenab/status/978332885932376064?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 26, 2018</a></blockquote>
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"Recently, it also happened to me," a reporter says, before another adds, "We are women and professionals."

"We just want to work in peace," another says in the clip, viewed on Twitter more than 730,000 times.

The campaign -- which dovetails with the global #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, particularly in workplaces -- was launched Sunday by a group of about 50 journalists and other media professionals.

Dozens of Brazilian football clubs gave their support.

"The woman's place is where she wants it to be -- in the stadium, the office, the street, here or there," Belo Horizonte football club Cruzeiro tweeted. "They just want their rights to be respected. Without harassment."

"Our complete support. We're together on this!" tweeted Rio de Janeiro club Vasco da Gama.

Dealtry, who played beach volleyball at a high level before turning to television, posted the clip of the forced kiss on her Facebook page, getting 1.5 million views.

"A kiss on the mouth, without my permission, while I was doing my job.... Today I felt the sense of powerlessness that many women feel in stadiums, metros or even just walking along the street," she wrote.&nbsp

&nbsp

Female Brazilian sports journalists fed up with being groped, insulted and kissed while on the job are showing sexual harassment the red card

Female Brazilian sports journalists fed up with being groped, insulted and kissed while on the job are showing sexual harassment the red card. An online campaign under the hashtag #DeixaElaTrabalhar, or #LetHerWork, is making waves simply by demanding that the male-dominated sports world treat female reporters with respect. Several women journalists appear in a campaign video that opens with footage of Bruna Dealtry, from Esporte Interativo, recoiling from a shirtless football supporter when he suddenly kisses her face as she reports from a busy fan zone. Standing with my fellow Brazilian women. #deixaelatrabalhar #letherwork ?? @HugoGloss pic.twitter.com/8EoPQYS6G1 — Morena Baccarin (@missmorenab) March 26, 2018 × "Recently, it also happened to me," a reporter says, before another adds, "We are women and professionals." "We just want to work in peace," another says in the clip, viewed on Twitter more than 730,000 times. The campaign -- which dovetails with the global #MeToo movement against sexual harassment, particularly in workplaces -- was launched Sunday by a group of about 50 journalists and other media professionals. Dozens of Brazilian football clubs gave their support. "The woman's place is where she wants it to be -- in the stadium, the office, the street, here or there," Belo Horizonte football club Cruzeiro tweeted. "They just want their rights to be respected. Without harassment." "Our complete support. We're together on this!" tweeted Rio de Janeiro club Vasco da Gama. Dealtry, who played beach volleyball at a high level before turning to television, posted the clip of the forced kiss on her Facebook page, getting 1.5 million views. "A kiss on the mouth, without my permission, while I was doing my job.... Today I felt the sense of powerlessness that many women feel in stadiums, metros or even just walking along the street," she wrote.

Brazil's female sports reporters demand end to harassment

Germany forward Thomas Mueller expects revenge to be a factor when his side take on Brazil for the first time since humiliating the South Americans 7-1 in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals.

Joachim Loew&#39;s Germany start fine-tuning preparations for their World Cup defence in Russia with high-profile friendlies against Spain in Duesseldorf on Friday and Brazil in Berlin next Tuesday.

Spain, the 2010 World Cup winners, have the first chance to break Germany&#39;s 21-match unbeaten run, dating back to their Euro 2016 semi-final defeat by France.

However, the clash four days later at Berlin&#39;s Olympic Stadium offers Brazil a rare chance to beat Germany in their own backyard and avenge the hammering in Belo Horizonte almost four years ago.

&quot;Of course, you can imagine that the humiliation was great after losing a semi-final of a World Cup at home,&quot; said Mueller, who scored the first goal in that game.

&quot;Brazil is really a football-mad country and the pressure on them was huge. However, our journey wasn&#39;t over and for us it was just a step towards the final.&quot;

The Spain and Brazil games are head coach Loew&#39;s last chance to assess his options before naming his World Cup squad on May 15.

Key decisions

&quot;Two top matches await us -- we&#39;re up against superb teams. It&#39;s fun to compete with the best,&quot; added Bayern Munich forward Mueller. &quot;We all have the mentality that we always want to win, that&#39;s why we&#39;re the elite. The competition within the squad is a means to keep up the performance level. No one can afford to relax, everyone&#39;s challenged.

&quot;It&#39;s not just that we have eight or 11 good players, more like 20 or 25.

&quot;It&#39;s a good situation for the coach to be in. But this is an opportunity to show what we can do against big opponents in big games.&quot;

However, big names are missing in the ranks of the four-time World Cup winners.

Borussia Dortmund pair Mario Goetze, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 final against Argentina, and Marco Reus were left out to focus on their club form.

Germany captain Manuel Neuer, who last played an international in October 2016, is still sidelined with a fractured foot he suffered in September.

Loew must also decide whether Sandro Wagner or Mario Gomez will go to Russia as the back-up to first-choice striker Timo Werner.

Likewise, Paris Saint-Germain&#39;s Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno of Bayer Leverkusen are vying for the third goalkeeping berth behind first-choice Neuer and reserve Marc-Andre ter Stegen.

&quot;I am glad that I do not have to decide who will be going,&quot; Germany midfielder Sami Khedira admitted to magazine Sport Bild.

As the Juventus player acknowledges, there will be &quot;no free ticket&quot; to Russia for any German stars.

Liverpool midfielder Emre Can sat out training on Wednesday with slight back pain, while Bayern&#39;s Sebastian Rudy will join the squad late as he awaits the birth of his child.&nbsp;

Timings:&nbsp;

Germany vs Spain: Saturday March 24, 1,15 am IST

Germany vs Brazil: Wednesday, March 28, 12.15 am IST

Germany thrashed Brazil 7-1 the last time they met in the semifinal of the 2014 World Cup

Germany forward Thomas Mueller expects revenge to be a factor when his side take on Brazil for the first time since humiliating the South Americans 7-1 in the 2014 World Cup semi-finals. Joachim Loew's Germany start fine-tuning preparations for their World Cup defence in Russia with high-profile friendlies against Spain in Duesseldorf on Friday and Brazil in Berlin next Tuesday. Spain, the 2010 World Cup winners, have the first chance to break Germany's 21-match unbeaten run, dating back to their Euro 2016 semi-final defeat by France. However, the clash four days later at Berlin's Olympic Stadium offers Brazil a rare chance to beat Germany in their own backyard and avenge the hammering in Belo Horizonte almost four years ago. "Of course, you can imagine that the humiliation was great after losing a semi-final of a World Cup at home," said Mueller, who scored the first goal in that game. "Brazil is really a football-mad country and the pressure on them was huge. However, our journey wasn't over and for us it was just a step towards the final." The Spain and Brazil games are head coach Loew's last chance to assess his options before naming his World Cup squad on May 15. Key decisions "Two top matches await us -- we're up against superb teams. It's fun to compete with the best," added Bayern Munich forward Mueller. "We all have the mentality that we always want to win, that's why we're the elite. The competition within the squad is a means to keep up the performance level. No one can afford to relax, everyone's challenged. "It's not just that we have eight or 11 good players, more like 20 or 25. "It's a good situation for the coach to be in. But this is an opportunity to show what we can do against big opponents in big games." However, big names are missing in the ranks of the four-time World Cup winners. Borussia Dortmund pair Mario Goetze, who scored the winning goal in the 2014 final against Argentina, and Marco Reus were left out to focus on their club form. Germany captain Manuel Neuer, who last played an international in October 2016, is still sidelined with a fractured foot he suffered in September. Loew must also decide whether Sandro Wagner or Mario Gomez will go to Russia as the back-up to first-choice striker Timo Werner. Likewise, Paris Saint-Germain's Kevin Trapp and Bernd Leno of Bayer Leverkusen are vying for the third goalkeeping berth behind first-choice Neuer and reserve Marc-Andre ter Stegen. "I am glad that I do not have to decide who will be going," Germany midfielder Sami Khedira admitted to magazine Sport Bild. As the Juventus player acknowledges, there will be "no free ticket" to Russia for any German stars. Liverpool midfielder Emre Can sat out training on Wednesday with slight back pain, while Bayern's Sebastian Rudy will join the squad late as he awaits the birth of his child. Timings: Germany vs Spain: Saturday March 24, 1,15 am IST Germany vs Brazil: Wednesday, March 28, 12.15 am IST

Football World Cup friendlies: Germany to take on Spain, Brazil

The latest reports on Neymar&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/neymar-operation-of-injured-foot-ankle-went-perfectly-says-brazil-confederation-34583">recovery</a>&nbsp;is a good news for Brazilian football fans and followers.

Rodrigo Lasmar, who operated&nbsp;<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/psg-striker-neymar-jr-suffers-metatarsal-fracture-34158">Neymar&#39;s metatarsal fracture</a> on March 3 has told French sports daily L&#39;Equipe, &quot;For now, everything is going well, they tell me every detail of <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/neymar-operation-of-injured-foot-ankle-went-perfectly-says-brazil-confederation-34583">Neymar&#39;s recovery</a>.&quot;

Lasmar also mentioned that he speaks two or three times a day&nbsp;with the physiotherapists working with the Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain player to know the current reports.

He also said,&nbsp;&quot;They are working hard and in a very professional way so that he can return as quickly as possible and, above all, so there won&#39;t be any further problems for his foot or posture.&quot;&nbsp;

He added that he planned to reassess the injury in mid-April.

Recently, Neymar uploaded an Instagram story&nbsp;in which he was dancing while standing <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/psg-striker-neymar-jr-suffers-metatarsal-fracture-34158" style="background-color: rgb(255, 255, 255);">on one foot</a>.

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Neymar posted a video as an Instagram story, in which he was dancing on one foot. (Instagram)
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He also attended&nbsp;his sister&#39;s birthday party in Sao Paulo on crutches on Monday.

Here&#39;s the video:

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Brazil soccer player Neymar attended his sister&#39;s birthday party in Sao Paulo on crutches while recovering from a broken foot on Monday (March 19). (Reuters)
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<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/neymar-operation-of-injured-foot-ankle-went-perfectly-says-brazil-confederation-34583">Neymar</a>, who missed Brazil&#39;s 7-1 semi-final thrashing on home soil by Germany through injury four years ago, is key to his country&#39;s hopes at this year&#39;s World Cup, which starts on June 14.

The 26-year-old, who joined PSG for a world-record 222 million euros ($264 million) from Barcelona last year, suffered a fractured bone in his right foot last month in a match against Marseille.

&nbsp;

Rodrigo Lasmar, who operated Neymar's metatarsal fracture said he speaks two or three times a day with the physiotherapists to know the latest reports

The latest reports on Neymar's recovery is a good news for Brazilian football fans and followers. Rodrigo Lasmar, who operated Neymar's metatarsal fracture on March 3 has told French sports daily L'Equipe, "For now, everything is going well, they tell me every detail of Neymar's recovery." Lasmar also mentioned that he speaks two or three times a day with the physiotherapists working with the Brazil and Paris Saint-Germain player to know the current reports. He also said, "They are working hard and in a very professional way so that he can return as quickly as possible and, above all, so there won't be any further problems for his foot or posture." He added that he planned to reassess the injury in mid-April. Recently, Neymar uploaded an Instagram story in which he was dancing while standing on one foot. Neymar posted a video as an Instagram story, in which he was dancing on one foot. (Instagram) × He also attended his sister's birthday party in Sao Paulo on crutches on Monday. Here's the video: Brazil soccer player Neymar attended his sister's birthday party in Sao Paulo on crutches while recovering from a broken foot on Monday (March 19). (Reuters) × Neymar, who missed Brazil's 7-1 semi-final thrashing on home soil by Germany through injury four years ago, is key to his country's hopes at this year's World Cup, which starts on June 14. The 26-year-old, who joined PSG for a world-record 222 million euros ($264 million) from Barcelona last year, suffered a fractured bone in his right foot last month in a match against Marseille.

Neymar's recovery 'is going well', says doctor

Brazilian striker <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/psg-striker-neymar-jr-suffers-metatarsal-fracture-34158">Neymar Jr</a>,&nbsp;currently struggling with <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/psg-striker-neymar-jr-suffers-metatarsal-fracture-34158">metatarsal injury</a> has been trolled online for his &quot;insensitive&quot; tribute to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/stephen-hawking-a-brief-history-of-genius-35758">late Stephen Hawking</a>, who died yesterday at the age of 76.

Neymar shared a picture on social networking sites, featuring him in a bathing suit and sitting on a wheelchair.

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<a href="https://www.instagram.com/p/BgUBS9UjwEL/" style=" color:#000; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px; text-decoration:none; word-wrap:break-word;" target="_blank">Voc&ecirc; tem que ter uma atitude positiva e tirar o melhor da situa&ccedil;&atilde;o na qual se encontra. Stephen Hawking</a>

<p style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px; margin-bottom:0; margin-top:8px; overflow:hidden; padding:8px 0 7px; text-align:center; text-overflow:ellipsis; white-space:nowrap;">A post shared by <a href="https://www.instagram.com/neymarjr/" style=" color:#c9c8cd; font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; font-style:normal; font-weight:normal; line-height:17px;" target="_blank"> Nj ???????? ???? neymarjr</a> (@neymarjr) on <time datetime="2018-03-14T17:57:00+00:00" style=" font-family:Arial,sans-serif; font-size:14px; line-height:17px;">Mar 14, 2018 at 10:57am PDT</time>
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He captioned the picture with one of &nbsp;Hawking&#39;s famous quotes: &quot;One has to have a positive attitude and must make the best of the situation that one finds oneself in.&quot;

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/world/stephen-hawking-a-brief-history-of-genius-35758">Stephen Hawking</a> will be remembered as Britain&#39;s most famous modern-day scientist.

He spent most of his life was spent in a wheelchair crippled by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS).

ALS is is a form of motor neurone disease that attacks the nerves controlling voluntary movement.

He faced a major backlash on Twitter for his inappropriate behaviour.&nbsp;

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Always ask someone if you aren&rsquo;t sure about a social media post before posting it- Neymar edition. <a href="https://t.co/wks9jTVdGr">https://t.co/wks9jTVdGr</a>
&mdash; Caught Offside (@COsoccerpod) <a href="https://twitter.com/COsoccerpod/status/973992256343552018?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Great to see Neymar drawing inspiration from Stephen Hawking as he adjusts to living his life with a sore ankle for a few weeks. <a href="https://t.co/VogGFNBI7j">https://t.co/VogGFNBI7j</a>
&mdash; Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) <a href="https://twitter.com/SmnLlyd5/status/973995847812820992?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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Neymar there, with his sore metatarsal and sprained ankle, marking Stephen Hawking&#39;s death by cheerily comparing himself to quadriplegic Stephen Hawking ???? <a href="https://t.co/f9bkh5AEhb">pic.twitter.com/f9bkh5AEhb</a>
&mdash; Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) <a href="https://twitter.com/BeardedGenius/status/973992727225520129?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">March 14, 2018</a></blockquote>
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&nbsp;

Brazilian striker Neymar Jr, currently struggling with metatarsal injury has been trolled online for his insensitive tribute to late Stephen Hawking

Brazilian striker Neymar Jr, currently struggling with metatarsal injury has been trolled online for his "insensitive" tribute to late Stephen Hawking, who died yesterday at the age of 76. Neymar shared a picture on social networking sites, featuring him in a bathing suit and sitting on a wheelchair. Você tem que ter uma atitude positiva e tirar o melhor da situação na qual se encontra. Stephen Hawking A post shared by Nj ???????? ???? neymarjr (@neymarjr) on Mar 14, 2018 at 10:57am PDT × He captioned the picture with one of Hawking's famous quotes: "One has to have a positive attitude and must make the best of the situation that one finds oneself in." Stephen Hawking will be remembered as Britain's most famous modern-day scientist. He spent most of his life was spent in a wheelchair crippled by amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). ALS is is a form of motor neurone disease that attacks the nerves controlling voluntary movement. He faced a major backlash on Twitter for his inappropriate behaviour. Always ask someone if you aren’t sure about a social media post before posting it- Neymar edition. https://t.co/wks9jTVdGr — Caught Offside (@COsoccerpod) March 14, 2018 × Great to see Neymar drawing inspiration from Stephen Hawking as he adjusts to living his life with a sore ankle for a few weeks. https://t.co/VogGFNBI7j — Si Lloyd (@SmnLlyd5) March 14, 2018 × Neymar there, with his sore metatarsal and sprained ankle, marking Stephen Hawking's death by cheerily comparing himself to quadriplegic Stephen Hawking ???? pic.twitter.com/f9bkh5AEhb — Nooruddean (@BeardedGenius) March 14, 2018 ×

Neymar Jr pays tribute to Hawking, gets trolled

A group of thieves stole $5 million in cash, which had been due to travel from Brazil to Switzerland aboard a Lufthansa jet, at a large freight airport near Sao Paulo, police said Monday.

The spectacular heist, which took place late Sunday, was completed in a matter of minutes, and authorities have yet to arrest a suspect.

The crooks entered Viracopos International Airport`s freight terminal using a pickup on which they had &quot;placed stickers mimicking the runway security company`s logo,&quot; federal police said in a statement.

Germany-based Lufthansa`s plane had been traveling from Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo and was making a stop at Viracopos - Brazil`s biggest freight terminal - with Zurich as its final destination.

The stolen money had been held under the auspices of secure transport provider Brinks, according to the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper.

The daily said five men had threatened security agents on the runway before taking off with the cargo, in barely six minutes.

There was no immediate sign of injuries, the airport said.

Cargo theft is on the rise in Brazil, where most targets are semi-trucks, especially those serving Rio de Janeiro.

A group of thieves stole $5 million in cash, which had been due to travel from Brazil to Switzerland aboard a Lufthansa jet, at a large freight airport near Sao Paulo, police said Monday

A group of thieves stole $5 million in cash, which had been due to travel from Brazil to Switzerland aboard a Lufthansa jet, at a large freight airport near Sao Paulo, police said Monday. The spectacular heist, which took place late Sunday, was completed in a matter of minutes, and authorities have yet to arrest a suspect. The crooks entered Viracopos International Airport`s freight terminal using a pickup on which they had "placed stickers mimicking the runway security company`s logo," federal police said in a statement. Germany-based Lufthansa`s plane had been traveling from Guarulhos airport in Sao Paulo and was making a stop at Viracopos - Brazil`s biggest freight terminal - with Zurich as its final destination. The stolen money had been held under the auspices of secure transport provider Brinks, according to the Folha de Sao Paulo newspaper. The daily said five men had threatened security agents on the runway before taking off with the cargo, in barely six minutes. There was no immediate sign of injuries, the airport said. Cargo theft is on the rise in Brazil, where most targets are semi-trucks, especially those serving Rio de Janeiro.

Thieves steal $5 mn from Lufthansa plane in Brazil

Brazil&#39;s <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/neymar-arrives-in-brazil-ahead-of-foot-surgery-34520">Paris St Germain</a> forward Neymar has had a successful operation on his <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-neymar-jr-out-for-six-to-eight-weeks-says-neymar-sr-34304">injured foot and ankle</a>&nbsp;confirmed the Brazilian Football Confederation. He was operated on Saturday at the Mater Dei Hospital in Belo Horizonte. On Friday, he flew to <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/neymar-arrives-in-brazil-ahead-of-foot-surgery-34520">Belo Horizonte in Brazil</a> and went straight to the Hospital MaterDei in the city for treatment to his injured foot.

&quot;The <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/what-is-metatarsal-fracture-that-caused-neymars-exit-34167">post-op rehabilitation</a> will begin immediately with the presence of a PSG physiotherapist,&quot; the CBF added.

&quot;He will be re-evaluated in around six weeks in order to specify a possible date when he can return to training.&quot;

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar suffered a sprained ankle and a<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/what-is-metatarsal-fracture-that-caused-neymars-exit-34167"> fractured metatarsal</a> when he was stretchered off during a match against Marseille.

Recently in an interview to ESPN Brazil, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-neymar-jr-out-for-six-to-eight-weeks-says-neymar-sr-34304">his father, Neymar Sr</a> said, &quot;PSG know that they won&#39;t have Neymar in the next few games and that they won&#39;t have Neymar for the next six weeks at least.&quot;

&quot;Because this treatment is going to take six to eight weeks, we know that, whether it is surgery or conventional, it will be six or eight weeks,&quot; he further said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-neymar-jr-out-for-six-to-eight-weeks-says-neymar-sr-34304">Neymar Sr</a>&nbsp;also mentioned that the damage was such that Neymar would definitely <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/neymar-arrives-in-brazil-ahead-of-foot-surgery-34520">miss&nbsp;next week&#39;s Champions</a>&nbsp;League encounter against Real Madrid.

&nbsp;

Neymar will be re-evaluated in around six weeks in order to specify a possible date when he can return to training

Brazil's Paris St Germain forward Neymar has had a successful operation on his injured foot and ankle confirmed the Brazilian Football Confederation. He was operated on Saturday at the Mater Dei Hospital in Belo Horizonte. On Friday, he flew to Belo Horizonte in Brazil and went straight to the Hospital MaterDei in the city for treatment to his injured foot. "The post-op rehabilitation will begin immediately with the presence of a PSG physiotherapist," the CBF added. "He will be re-evaluated in around six weeks in order to specify a possible date when he can return to training." Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar suffered a sprained ankle and a fractured metatarsal when he was stretchered off during a match against Marseille. Recently in an interview to ESPN Brazil, his father, Neymar Sr said, "PSG know that they won't have Neymar in the next few games and that they won't have Neymar for the next six weeks at least." "Because this treatment is going to take six to eight weeks, we know that, whether it is surgery or conventional, it will be six or eight weeks," he further said. Neymar Sr also mentioned that the damage was such that Neymar would definitely miss next week's Champions League encounter against Real Madrid.

Neymar's operation of injured foot & ankle went perfectly, says Brazil confederation

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-neymar-jr-out-for-six-to-eight-weeks-says-neymar-sr-34304">suffered a sprained ankle</a> and a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/what-is-metatarsal-fracture-that-caused-neymars-exit-34167">fractured metatarsal</a> when he was stretchered off during a match against&nbsp;Marseille.

On Friday, he flew to&nbsp;Belo Horizonte in Brazil and went&nbsp;straight to the Hospital MaterDei in the city for treatment to his injured foot.

Recently in an interview to ESPN Brazil, <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-neymar-jr-out-for-six-to-eight-weeks-says-neymar-sr-34304">his father, Neymar Sr</a> said,&nbsp;&quot;PSG know that they won&#39;t have Neymar in the next few games and that they won&#39;t have Neymar for the next six weeks at least.&quot;

&quot;Because this treatment is going to take six to eight weeks, we know that, whether it is surgery or conventional, it will be six or eight weeks,&quot; he further said.

<a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-neymar-jr-out-for-six-to-eight-weeks-says-neymar-sr-34304">Neymar Sr</a> also mentioned that the damage was such that Neymar would definitely miss <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/football-neymar-jr-out-for-six-to-eight-weeks-says-neymar-sr-34304">next week&#39;s Champions</a> League encounter against Real Madrid.

Brazil star was signed by PSG for a world record 222 million euros (US$ 260 million) from the Spanish giants Barcelona last year, is set to undergo surgery on the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/what-is-metatarsal-fracture-that-caused-neymars-exit-34167">fifth metatarsal</a> of his right foot.

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Neymar suffered a fractured metatarsal during a match against Marseille now he flew to Belo Horizonte in Brazil for treatment to his injured foot

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar suffered a sprained ankle and a fractured metatarsal when he was stretchered off during a match against Marseille. On Friday, he flew to Belo Horizonte in Brazil and went straight to the Hospital MaterDei in the city for treatment to his injured foot. Recently in an interview to ESPN Brazil, his father, Neymar Sr said, "PSG know that they won't have Neymar in the next few games and that they won't have Neymar for the next six weeks at least." "Because this treatment is going to take six to eight weeks, we know that, whether it is surgery or conventional, it will be six or eight weeks," he further said. Neymar Sr also mentioned that the damage was such that Neymar would definitely miss next week's Champions League encounter against Real Madrid. Brazil star was signed by PSG for a world record 222 million euros (US$ 260 million) from the Spanish giants Barcelona last year, is set to undergo surgery on the fifth metatarsal of his right foot. ×

Neymar arrives in Brazil ahead of foot surgery

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar suffered a <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/psg-striker-neymar-jr-suffers-metatarsal-fracture-34158">sprained right ankle</a> when he was stretchered off during a match on last Sunday. The suspected sprain is now confirmed as the <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/psg-striker-neymar-jr-suffers-metatarsal-fracture-34158">metatarsal fracture</a>. With the game already as good as over, the stadium held its breath as he was treated and then carried away.

The chances of Neymar returning to fitness in time to face the reigning European champions now appear extremely slim and despite that, Real Madrid&#39;s coach Zinedine Zidane hoped Neymar would recover in time to play.

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The metatarsal bones. (Others)
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What is metatarsal bones? 
The metatarsal bones or metatarsus are a group of five long bones in the foot, located between the tarsal bones of the hind-end mid-foot and the phalanges of the toes. They also help in balancing while&nbsp;standing and walking.

What is a metatarsal fracture? 
A sudden blow or severe twist of the foot, or overuse, can cause a break fracture. Usually, the condition is associated with foot pain and the person suffering from it will find it difficult to walk. A swollen foot is fairly common and bruising is usually evident after a day or two.

These fractures are typically treated without surgery using a cast, boot or hard-soled shoe. These <a href="http://www.wionews.com/sports/psg-striker-neymar-jr-suffers-metatarsal-fracture-34158">fractures</a> tend to heal within six to eight weeks.

&nbsp;

Metatarsal fractures tend to heal within six to eight weeks and the chances of Neymar's return in the second leg of Champions League are very slim

Paris Saint-Germain star Neymar suffered a sprained right ankle when he was stretchered off during a match on last Sunday. The suspected sprain is now confirmed as the metatarsal fracture. With the game already as good as over, the stadium held its breath as he was treated and then carried away. The chances of Neymar returning to fitness in time to face the reigning European champions now appear extremely slim and despite that, Real Madrid's coach Zinedine Zidane hoped Neymar would recover in time to play. The metatarsal bones. (Others) × What is metatarsal bones? The metatarsal bones or metatarsus are a group of five long bones in the foot, located between the tarsal bones of the hind-end mid-foot and the phalanges of the toes. They also help in balancing while standing and walking. What is a metatarsal fracture? A sudden blow or severe twist of the foot, or overuse, can cause a break fracture. Usually, the condition is associated with foot pain and the person suffering from it will find it difficult to walk. A swollen foot is fairly common and bruising is usually evident after a day or two. These fractures are typically treated without surgery using a cast, boot or hard-soled shoe. These fractures tend to heal within six to eight weeks.

What is metatarsal fracture that caused Neymar's exit

US President Donald Trump has proposed to end the visa lottery system in favour of reducing backlogs of highly-skilled workers, a plan which may benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals who are currently having several decades of waiting period to get their Green Cards.

If passed by the Congress and signed into law, such a move is expected to significantly reduce the green card backlogs for highly skilled immigrants from India.

The Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme, which the Trump administration wants to terminate, awards up to 50,000 individuals per year a visa for a green card, which allows permanent residency and is a path to US citizenship.

Trump has been against diversity visa as he believes that this does not attract the best and the brightest to the US.

In recent past, several of the home grown terrorists including prime accused of New York terrorist attacks came either on diversity visa or chain migration.

&ldquo;Eliminate lottery and reallocate the visas to reduce the family-based &lsquo;backlog&rsquo; and high-skilled employment &lsquo;backlog&rsquo;,&rdquo; according to the White House framework on immigration reform and border security released by the Trump administration.

The programme provides green cards for up to 50,000 immigrants each year from countries with low rates of emigration to the US. It is one of the ways that green cards are issued under the Immigration and Nationality Act.

The other significant sources of green cards are for family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based immigrants, refugees and people granted asylum.

Diversity visas are allocated geographically.

Nationals of countries from which 50,000 or fewer immigrants came to the US over the previous five years combined are eligible for diversity visas.

Immigrants from any one country may not receive more than seven per cent of diversity visas issued annually.

Given that there are hundreds and thousands of Indian IT professionals waiting in queue to get their green cards because of the current country quota, the relocation of diversity visa numbers to green cards is expected to hugely benefit them.

Immigrants from 18 countries are not eligible for diversity visa because they sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US over the previous five years combined.

The countries are Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, the UK and Vietnam. 
&nbsp;

The proposal to end visa lottery, if passed, is expected to significantly reduce the green card backlogs for many IT professionals and highly skilled immigrants from India.

US President Donald Trump has proposed to end the visa lottery system in favour of reducing backlogs of highly-skilled workers, a plan which may benefit thousands of Indian IT professionals who are currently having several decades of waiting period to get their Green Cards. If passed by the Congress and signed into law, such a move is expected to significantly reduce the green card backlogs for highly skilled immigrants from India. The Diversity Immigrant Visa Programme, which the Trump administration wants to terminate, awards up to 50,000 individuals per year a visa for a green card, which allows permanent residency and is a path to US citizenship. Trump has been against diversity visa as he believes that this does not attract the best and the brightest to the US. In recent past, several of the home grown terrorists including prime accused of New York terrorist attacks came either on diversity visa or chain migration. “Eliminate lottery and reallocate the visas to reduce the family-based ‘backlog’ and high-skilled employment ‘backlog’,” according to the White House framework on immigration reform and border security released by the Trump administration. The programme provides green cards for up to 50,000 immigrants each year from countries with low rates of emigration to the US. It is one of the ways that green cards are issued under the Immigration and Nationality Act. The other significant sources of green cards are for family-sponsored immigrants, employment-based immigrants, refugees and people granted asylum. Diversity visas are allocated geographically. Nationals of countries from which 50,000 or fewer immigrants came to the US over the previous five years combined are eligible for diversity visas. Immigrants from any one country may not receive more than seven per cent of diversity visas issued annually. Given that there are hundreds and thousands of Indian IT professionals waiting in queue to get their green cards because of the current country quota, the relocation of diversity visa numbers to green cards is expected to hugely benefit them. Immigrants from 18 countries are not eligible for diversity visa because they sent more than 50,000 immigrants to the US over the previous five years combined. The countries are Bangladesh, Brazil, Canada, China, Colombia, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Haiti, India, Jamaica, Mexico, Nigeria, Pakistan, Peru, Philippines, South Korea, the UK and Vietnam.

Trump proposes to terminate visa lottery, move likely to benefit Indian IT workers

A Brazilian appeals court Wednesday upheld ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva&#39;s conviction for corruption, dealing a body blow to his hopes of running for re-election this year.

The three-judge panel sitting in the southern city of Porto Alegre unanimously ruled that his original 9.5-year jail sentence be extended to more than 12 years.

Thousands of Lula supporters rallied in Sao Paolo to protest the verdict.&nbsp;

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<h5>Lula was defiant, telling the crowd of around 10,000 that he intended to run for the presidency despite the court setback</h5>
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Wearing a short-sleeved black T-shirt, the 72-year-old was defiant, telling the crowd of around 10,000 that he intended to run for the presidency despite the court setback.

&quot;Now I want to run for the presidency,&quot; he said to wild cheers. &quot;They can take away my rights; no big deal. What I&#39;d like to differ with them on is the conscience of the Brazilian people.

&quot;Mandela was put in prison and then he came back and became president of South Africa,&quot; he added, comparing himself to the great African statesman.

One of the judges, Joao Gebran Neto, said in his ruling that during his 2003-2010 presidency, Lula was one of the architects &quot;of a sophisticated scheme of fraud and corruption&quot; that had weakened Brazil&#39;s entire political system.

A defiant Lula said before the judgment he would continue to fight &quot;for the dignity of the Brazilian people&quot; and insisted he had committed no crime.

Lula is likely to remain out of prison for many months. He is expected to continue to challenge the conviction through higher courts, initially in the Superior Court of Justice and ultimately in Brazil&#39;s Supreme Court.&nbsp;

However, Wednesday&#39;s ruling deals a severe blow to his hopes of running in this year&#39;s presidential election, which he was favored to win.

&quot;It complicates his plans to run for the presidency this year but it doesn&#39;t finish them altogether,&quot; said market analysts Capital Economics in a note.

&quot;The unanimous verdict is important since it reduces the avenues of appeal that are now open to Lula. That being said, it does not close them off completely.

&quot;If pushed, we would say that there is still something like a 30 percent chance that he ends up on the ballot,&quot; it said.&nbsp;

The deadline for registration of candidates is August 15. The Workers&#39; Party has until September 17 to replace Lula as their candidate, if necessary -- three weeks before the first round of the election on October 7. &nbsp;

- High security - 
The court convened amid high security in the tense southern city of Porto Alegre to rule on Lula&#39;s appeal against his July conviction in Brazil&#39;s sprawling &quot;Car Wash&quot; graft scandal, with thousands of supporters and opponents of the leftist icon gathered to await the ruling.

As the judges presented their verdicts, Lula was hundreds of kilometers (miles) away near Sao Paulo, addressing former colleagues in the powerful metalworkers&#39; union he once led.&nbsp;

&quot;I am extremely calm, with the awareness that I have committed no crime,&quot; he told union members.

The key allegation against him is that he was gifted a three-floor seaside apartment from Brazil&#39;s OAS construction group in exchange for public contracts from state-controlled oil company Petrobras during his two-term presidency.

Defense lawyer Cristiano Zanin Martins had told the court it was clear OAS owned the renovated apartment, and that Lula &quot;never got the keys and never spent a night there.&quot;&nbsp;

But in his judgment, Gebran Neto said there was evidence &quot;that the triplex apartment, from the beginning, even before the OAS took over the works, was reserved for President Lula.&quot;

The defense had argued that no title existed in his name, but the judge said the lack of a document was intended precisely to hide the real recipient of the apartment.

A second judge, Leandro Paulsen, agreed with that understanding but considered an aggravating circumstance the fact that Lula had operated as guarantor &quot;of a scheme that emptied the coffers of Petrobras.&quot;

Market up 
Helicopters hovered near the courthouse, and even ships were being used to protect the building, which is located next to a river.

Argentine ex-footballer Diego Maradona used social media to voice his support for Lula, and released pictures of him holding a Brazil football jersey printed with Lula&#39;s name.&nbsp;

&quot;My dear Lula, Diego is with You,&quot; wrote Maradona in Portuguese.

But Lula is also hated by many Brazilians who want to see him behind bars. Similarly, the markets were betting against a Lula run for the presidency.&nbsp;

Sao Paolo&#39;s stock exchange soared 3.7 percent to a record high within an hour of the court confirming Lula&#39;s conviction.

&quot;Markets cannot hide their enthusiasm: a ruling against Lula, who has promised to revert part of President Michel Temer&#39;s business-friendly reforms, is widely seen as a fatal blow to his presidential bid,&quot; said Silvio Cascione in a note from the Eurasia consultancy. 
&nbsp;

The three-judge panel sitting in the southern city of Porto Alegre unanimously ruled that his original 9.5-year jail sentence be extended to more than 12 years

A Brazilian appeals court Wednesday upheld ex-president Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva's conviction for corruption, dealing a body blow to his hopes of running for re-election this year. The three-judge panel sitting in the southern city of Porto Alegre unanimously ruled that his original 9.5-year jail sentence be extended to more than 12 years. Thousands of Lula supporters rallied in Sao Paolo to protest the verdict. Lula was defiant, telling the crowd of around 10,000 that he intended to run for the presidency despite the court setback × Wearing a short-sleeved black T-shirt, the 72-year-old was defiant, telling the crowd of around 10,000 that he intended to run for the presidency despite the court setback. "Now I want to run for the presidency," he said to wild cheers. "They can take away my rights; no big deal. What I'd like to differ with them on is the conscience of the Brazilian people. "Mandela was put in prison and then he came back and became president of South Africa," he added, comparing himself to the great African statesman. One of the judges, Joao Gebran Neto, said in his ruling that during his 2003-2010 presidency, Lula was one of the architects "of a sophisticated scheme of fraud and corruption" that had weakened Brazil's entire political system. A defiant Lula said before the judgment he would continue to fight "for the dignity of the Brazilian people" and insisted he had committed no crime. Lula is likely to remain out of prison for many months. He is expected to continue to challenge the conviction through higher courts, initially in the Superior Court of Justice and ultimately in Brazil's Supreme Court. However, Wednesday's ruling deals a severe blow to his hopes of running in this year's presidential election, which he was favored to win. "It complicates his plans to run for the presidency this year but it doesn't finish them altogether," said market analysts Capital Economics in a note. "The unanimous verdict is important since it reduces the avenues of appeal that are now open to Lula. That being said, it does not close them off completely. "If pushed, we would say that there is still something like a 30 percent chance that he ends up on the ballot," it said. The deadline for registration of candidates is August 15. The Workers' Party has until September 17 to replace Lula as their candidate, if necessary -- three weeks before the first round of the election on October 7. - High security - The court convened amid high security in the tense southern city of Porto Alegre to rule on Lula's appeal against his July conviction in Brazil's sprawling "Car Wash" graft scandal, with thousands of supporters and opponents of the leftist icon gathered to await the ruling. As the judges presented their verdicts, Lula was hundreds of kilometers (miles) away near Sao Paulo, addressing former colleagues in the powerful metalworkers' union he once led. "I am extremely calm, with the awareness that I have committed no crime," he told union members. The key allegation against him is that he was gifted a three-floor seaside apartment from Brazil's OAS construction group in exchange for public contracts from state-controlled oil company Petrobras during his two-term presidency. Defense lawyer Cristiano Zanin Martins had told the court it was clear OAS owned the renovated apartment, and that Lula "never got the keys and never spent a night there." But in his judgment, Gebran Neto said there was evidence "that the triplex apartment, from the beginning, even before the OAS took over the works, was reserved for President Lula." The defense had argued that no title existed in his name, but the judge said the lack of a document was intended precisely to hide the real recipient of the apartment. A second judge, Leandro Paulsen, agreed with that understanding but considered an aggravating circumstance the fact that Lula had operated as guarantor "of a scheme that emptied the coffers of Petrobras." Market up Helicopters hovered near the courthouse, and even ships were being used to protect the building, which is located next to a river. Argentine ex-footballer Diego Maradona used social media to voice his support for Lula, and released pictures of him holding a Brazil football jersey printed with Lula's name. "My dear Lula, Diego is with You," wrote Maradona in Portuguese. But Lula is also hated by many Brazilians who want to see him behind bars. Similarly, the markets were betting against a Lula run for the presidency. Sao Paolo's stock exchange soared 3.7 percent to a record high within an hour of the court confirming Lula's conviction. "Markets cannot hide their enthusiasm: a ruling against Lula, who has promised to revert part of President Michel Temer's business-friendly reforms, is widely seen as a fatal blow to his presidential bid," said Silvio Cascione in a note from the Eurasia consultancy.

Brazil's Lula loses appeal against corruption conviction

Brazilian forward Ronaldinho has retired from professional football at the age of 37, according to his&nbsp;agent&nbsp;and&nbsp;brother&nbsp;Roberto Assis on Tuesday (16th January).

His brother Roberto Assis said in a column for Brazil media outlet O Globo and revealed plans for farewell tribute events following the 2018 World Cup.

&ldquo;He has stopped, it is ended,&rdquo; Assis said. &ldquo;Let&rsquo;s do something pretty big and nice after the Russia World Cup, probably in August.&quot;

&quot;We will do various events in Brazil, Europe and Asia and, of course, we are arranging something with the Brazilian team as well,&rdquo; he added.

Ronaldinho&#39;s career began with Gremio in Porto Alegre, his hometown, before he emerged as a star with French giants PSG.

He along with Ronaldo and Rivaldo led the Brazilian team to victory in 2002 World Cup.

His performance during the World Cup drew interest from Spanish giant, Barcelona and he finally joined the club in 2003.

He spent 5 years at Camp Nou and won&nbsp;the 2006 Champions League and was awarded the 2005 Ballon d&rsquo;Or.

After a period of huge success, he faced disappointment. Poor 2006 World Cup and missing out on selection in 2010.

He&nbsp;reportedly lost focus at Barcelona and was sold to Milan but he proved his abilities there and won the Serie A title in 2010/11.

He played his last match in 2015 during a brief stint with Fluminense.

Brazilian forward Ronaldinho has retired from professional football his brother Roberto Assis confirmed on Tuesday.

Brazilian forward Ronaldinho has retired from professional football at the age of 37, according to his agent and brother Roberto Assis on Tuesday (16th January). His brother Roberto Assis said in a column for Brazil media outlet O Globo and revealed plans for farewell tribute events following the 2018 World Cup. “He has stopped, it is ended,” Assis said. “Let’s do something pretty big and nice after the Russia World Cup, probably in August." "We will do various events in Brazil, Europe and Asia and, of course, we are arranging something with the Brazilian team as well,” he added. Ronaldinho's career began with Gremio in Porto Alegre, his hometown, before he emerged as a star with French giants PSG. He along with Ronaldo and Rivaldo led the Brazilian team to victory in 2002 World Cup. His performance during the World Cup drew interest from Spanish giant, Barcelona and he finally joined the club in 2003. He spent 5 years at Camp Nou and won the 2006 Champions League and was awarded the 2005 Ballon d’Or. After a period of huge success, he faced disappointment. Poor 2006 World Cup and missing out on selection in 2010. He reportedly lost focus at Barcelona and was sold to Milan but he proved his abilities there and won the Serie A title in 2010/11. He played his last match in 2015 during a brief stint with Fluminense.

Brazilian star Ronaldinho retires from professional football at 37

Football legend Pele, 77, is confident that Brazil has a strong chance to win the FIFA World Cup due to begin&nbsp;in June.

Five-time winners Brazil were thrashed 7-1 in the 2014 semi-finals by Germany, but Pele has faith in the newly appointed coach, Adenor Leonardo Bacchi.

He advised&nbsp;the Brazilian&nbsp;footballers to play as a team&nbsp;and not rely on just one or two players.

&quot;Whenever Brazil won World Cups it was not because of Pele, Zico&hellip; it was because of the team,&quot; he said.

The king of football was honoured on Monday in Rio de Janeiro during an event to launch the 2018 edition of the Rio State League.

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Legendary Brazilian footballer Pele uses a walking frame as he greets supporters. (AFP)
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Pele is recovering from several surgeries. In the backstage, he denied to take any assistance&nbsp;to reach the stage, he said his walker is the&nbsp;&quot;new God-given boots&quot;.

&quot;I&#39;m fine, thank goodness, and I want to thank all those who sent me messages wishing me a good recovery from all over the world,&quot; he said.

He also criticised the current scenario of football and mentioned that very few players are emerging as legends.

&quot;Today, there are only three players who really stand out; Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar,&quot; he said.

Pele stated that, in the past, you could name several star footballers who played at the same time, such as Portugal&#39;s Eusebio, Germany&#39;s Franz Beckenbauer, England&#39;s Bobby Moore and his Brazil teammates such as Tostao, Jairzinho among others.

Pele, who scored over 1,000 goals during his career, despite any comparisons that might one day appear, &quot;there will be no other Pele&quot;.

&nbsp;

Pele, who scored over 1,000 goals during his career is confident that Brazil has a strong chance to win FIFA World Cup 2018

Football legend Pele, 77, is confident that Brazil has a strong chance to win the FIFA World Cup due to begin in June. Five-time winners Brazil were thrashed 7-1 in the 2014 semi-finals by Germany, but Pele has faith in the newly appointed coach, Adenor Leonardo Bacchi. He advised the Brazilian footballers to play as a team and not rely on just one or two players. "Whenever Brazil won World Cups it was not because of Pele, Zico… it was because of the team," he said. The king of football was honoured on Monday in Rio de Janeiro during an event to launch the 2018 edition of the Rio State League. Legendary Brazilian footballer Pele uses a walking frame as he greets supporters. (AFP) × Pele is recovering from several surgeries. In the backstage, he denied to take any assistance to reach the stage, he said his walker is the "new God-given boots". "I'm fine, thank goodness, and I want to thank all those who sent me messages wishing me a good recovery from all over the world," he said. He also criticised the current scenario of football and mentioned that very few players are emerging as legends. "Today, there are only three players who really stand out; Messi, Cristiano Ronaldo and Neymar," he said. Pele stated that, in the past, you could name several star footballers who played at the same time, such as Portugal's Eusebio, Germany's Franz Beckenbauer, England's Bobby Moore and his Brazil teammates such as Tostao, Jairzinho among others. Pele, who scored over 1,000 goals during his career, despite any comparisons that might one day appear, "there will be no other Pele".

Watch: Pele 'guides' Brazil ahead of FIFA World Cup

Nine inmates were killed, 14 were injured, and dozens escaped in a prison riot on Monday, national news media reported, in the latest example of Brazil&#39;s continuing difficulties maintaining control over its notoriously violent penal system.

According to newspaper O Estado de S&atilde;o Paulo, 106 prisoners escaped the prison in the city of Goi&acirc;nia, near the capital of Brasilia. Authorities recaptured 27 of the escapees, but the rest remained at large.

One of the nine killed in the mayhem was decapitated, news media reported, sparking memories of a prison riot that occurred one year ago today in the Amazon in which 56 people died, several of whom were decapitated and thrown over prison walls.

That riot, which was rooted in a long-standing gang rivalry, came at the beginning of a January marred by widespread prison violence, with 130 prisoners dying in the first 20 days of 2017.

Brazil&#39;s prisons, which suffer endemic violence, are often severely overcrowded. Rights group call prison conditions medieval, with food scarce and cells often so packed inmates have no space to lie down.

In comments on Monday to newspaper Folha de S&atilde;o Paulo, the head of Brazil&#39;s prison guard union, Jorimar Bastos, criticized the amount of resources allocated for oversight at the Goi&acirc;nia prison, saying only five guards were assigned to watch over 900 prisoners.

One of the nine killed in the mayhem was decapitated, sparking memories of a prison riot that occurred one year ago today in the Amazon in which 56 people died, several of whom were decapitated and thrown over prison walls

Nine inmates were killed, 14 were injured, and dozens escaped in a prison riot on Monday, national news media reported, in the latest example of Brazil's continuing difficulties maintaining control over its notoriously violent penal system. According to newspaper O Estado de São Paulo, 106 prisoners escaped the prison in the city of Goiânia, near the capital of Brasilia. Authorities recaptured 27 of the escapees, but the rest remained at large. One of the nine killed in the mayhem was decapitated, news media reported, sparking memories of a prison riot that occurred one year ago today in the Amazon in which 56 people died, several of whom were decapitated and thrown over prison walls. That riot, which was rooted in a long-standing gang rivalry, came at the beginning of a January marred by widespread prison violence, with 130 prisoners dying in the first 20 days of 2017. Brazil's prisons, which suffer endemic violence, are often severely overcrowded. Rights group call prison conditions medieval, with food scarce and cells often so packed inmates have no space to lie down. In comments on Monday to newspaper Folha de São Paulo, the head of Brazil's prison guard union, Jorimar Bastos, criticized the amount of resources allocated for oversight at the Goiânia prison, saying only five guards were assigned to watch over 900 prisoners.

Nine dead in latest outbreak of Brazilian prison violence

Former Brazilian World Cup champion Kaka announced his retirement as a player, suggesting that a management career at his old club AC Milan could be on the cards.

&quot;I am preparing to continue in football and to have a different role, but I will no longer be a professional player, an athlete,&quot; the 2007 Ballon d&#39;Or winner told Globo television.

&quot;I would like to take part in a club in a role more like... A manager, a sporting director -- someone between the field and the club.&quot;

Kaka, 35, said AC Milan &quot;recently made this proposal&quot;.

On his Twitter feed, devout Christian Kaka, who was part of Brazil&#39;s 2002 World Cup-winning team, wrote: &quot;Father, It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I&#39;m now ready for the next journey. In Jesus&#39; name. Amem.&quot;

He started his storied career with Sao Paulo in Brazil, where his performances attracted the attention of Europe&#39;s leading clubs and prompted a move to Milan in 2003.

It was while at Milan that Kaka picked up the Ballon d&#39;Or, awarded annually to the world&#39;s best player. He was the last player other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to receive the prize.

He also helped the Italian side to a Serie A title in 2003-04 and propelled Milan to 2007 Champions League glory, scoring a competition-best 10 goals as the club were crowned kings of Europe for the seventh time.

The hugely talented attacking midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record transfer worth 68 million euros ($89 million, ?56 million), but Kaka struggled to consistently reproduce his top form in the Spanish capital.

&#39;One of football&#39;s greatest talents&#39;

He won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and was part of Jose Mourinho&#39;s team that won the league crown a year later, but he fell out of favour in Madrid and returned to Milan on a free transfer in September 2013.

Kaka was unveiled as the face of Major League Soccer&#39;s expansion franchise Orlando City in 2014, heading home for a brief reunion with Sao Paulo ahead of the US club&#39;s debut season in 2015.

He scored the MLS team&#39;s first ever goal and was the North American league&#39;s highest-paid player for three years running before leaving Orlando in October.

He scored 29 goals in 92 international appearances for Brazil, although having been overlooked for the 2014 World Cup on home soil he was also ruled out of last year&#39;s Copa America Centenario by injury.

In November, media reports said he had been considering a move to Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng in the Chinese Super League.

Spain&#39;s La Liga paid homage to Kaka on its Twitter account, saying: &quot;One of football&#39;s greatest talents is hanging up his boots after a glittering career.&quot;

However, Kaka said his transition off the pitch wasn&#39;t being taken for granted.

&quot;The fact of having had successes as a professional player does not mean I will or won&#39;t be a good manager. So I want to prepare myself for this going ahead, to study, to follow, to be closer to certain clubs, especially those where I played,&quot; he told Globo.

"I am preparing to continue in football and to have a different role, but I will no longer be a professional player, an athlete," the 2007 Ballon d'Or winner told a TV channel.

Former Brazilian World Cup champion Kaka announced his retirement as a player, suggesting that a management career at his old club AC Milan could be on the cards. "I am preparing to continue in football and to have a different role, but I will no longer be a professional player, an athlete," the 2007 Ballon d'Or winner told Globo television. "I would like to take part in a club in a role more like... A manager, a sporting director -- someone between the field and the club." Kaka, 35, said AC Milan "recently made this proposal". On his Twitter feed, devout Christian Kaka, who was part of Brazil's 2002 World Cup-winning team, wrote: "Father, It was much more than I could ever imagined. Thank you! I'm now ready for the next journey. In Jesus' name. Amem." He started his storied career with Sao Paulo in Brazil, where his performances attracted the attention of Europe's leading clubs and prompted a move to Milan in 2003. It was while at Milan that Kaka picked up the Ballon d'Or, awarded annually to the world's best player. He was the last player other than Cristiano Ronaldo or Lionel Messi to receive the prize. He also helped the Italian side to a Serie A title in 2003-04 and propelled Milan to 2007 Champions League glory, scoring a competition-best 10 goals as the club were crowned kings of Europe for the seventh time. The hugely talented attacking midfielder joined Real Madrid in 2009 for a then world record transfer worth 68 million euros ($89 million, ?56 million), but Kaka struggled to consistently reproduce his top form in the Spanish capital. 'One of football's greatest talents' He won the Copa del Rey in 2011 and was part of Jose Mourinho's team that won the league crown a year later, but he fell out of favour in Madrid and returned to Milan on a free transfer in September 2013. Kaka was unveiled as the face of Major League Soccer's expansion franchise Orlando City in 2014, heading home for a brief reunion with Sao Paulo ahead of the US club's debut season in 2015. He scored the MLS team's first ever goal and was the North American league's highest-paid player for three years running before leaving Orlando in October. He scored 29 goals in 92 international appearances for Brazil, although having been overlooked for the 2014 World Cup on home soil he was also ruled out of last year's Copa America Centenario by injury. In November, media reports said he had been considering a move to Guizhou Hengfeng Zhicheng in the Chinese Super League. Spain's La Liga paid homage to Kaka on its Twitter account, saying: "One of football's greatest talents is hanging up his boots after a glittering career." However, Kaka said his transition off the pitch wasn't being taken for granted. "The fact of having had successes as a professional player does not mean I will or won't be a good manager. So I want to prepare myself for this going ahead, to study, to follow, to be closer to certain clubs, especially those where I played," he told Globo.

Brazilian star Kaka announces retirement

Argentina&#39;s navy revealed Monday that a submarine missing for five days reported a mechanical breakdown in its final communication, and that weekend signals did not come from the vessel, dimming hopes for its 44 crew members.

&quot;The vessel surfaced and it reported a breakdown. It was therefore asked to change course and go to Mar del Plata,&quot; said Gabriel Galeazzi, the head of the naval base in the northeastern city, located 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Buenos Aires.

Enrique Balbi, a spokesman for the navy, meanwhile told a press conference in the capital that seven signals received by naval bases over the weekend were not attempted distress calls from the submarine, as previously hoped.

&quot;We&#39;ve received the report from the company that analyzed the signals -- the seven attempted calls did not come from the submarine&#39;s satellite phone,&quot; he said, adding: &quot;We have still been unable to contact them.&quot;

The ARA San Juan, a German-built diesel-electric sub, made its last contact on Wednesday.

A multinational air and sea search is under way with help from countries including Brazil, Britain, Chile, the United States and Uruguay.

Argentina's navy revealed Monday that a submarine missing for five days reported a mechanical breakdown in its final communication, and that weekend signals did not come from the vessel, dimming hopes for its 44 crew members. "The vessel surfaced and it reported a breakdown. It was therefore asked to change course and go to Mar del Plata," said Gabriel Galeazzi, the head of the naval base in the northeastern city, located 400 kilometers (250 miles) south of Buenos Aires. Enrique Balbi, a spokesman for the navy, meanwhile told a press conference in the capital that seven signals received by naval bases over the weekend were not attempted distress calls from the submarine, as previously hoped. "We've received the report from the company that analyzed the signals -- the seven attempted calls did not come from the submarine's satellite phone," he said, adding: "We have still been unable to contact them." The ARA San Juan, a German-built diesel-electric sub, made its last contact on Wednesday. A multinational air and sea search is under way with help from countries including Brazil, Britain, Chile, the United States and Uruguay.

Argentina submarine missing for 5 days reported problem in final call: Navy

European champions Spain staved off a battling Mali to emerge 3-1 winners in a rip-roaring, action-packed semi-final contest to enter the summit clash of the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the D Y Patil Stadium, here today.

Spain scored twice in the first half, both the goals coming from their ebullient striker Abel Ruiz, and added one more through a headed goal by Ferran Torres to take a commanding 3-0 lead before Mali found the mark for the first and only time through their own top goal getter Lassana N&#39;Diaye in the 74th minute.

By virtue of this win, Spain has entered the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fourth time after their first apperance in the title clash 2007.

Mali also had an attempt that appeared like a legitimate goal which was controversially not signalled in by the assistant referee, when they were trailing 0-2 before Spain scored their third goal to virtually shut off the contest although Mali fought hard till the end.

The victory by Spain after staving off a late fight-back by the African age group champions has, thus, piloted them into a summit clash against England at Kolkata on October 28.

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England got the better of South American champions Brazil 3-1 in the first semi-final.

Spain were the dominant force in the entire first half as they took a handy two-goal lead with their sharp-shooter Abel Ruiz finding the net on both occasions, the first one from the penalty spot in the 19th minute and the second with an on- the-run effort in the 45th minute.

Ruiz and Cesar Gelabert combined beautifully with promptings from the mid-field to tear apart the leaky Mali defense to shreds.

Spain clearly had the better share of the exchanges too and could have been 4-0 up but for an early brilliant save by Mali custodian Youssouf Koita and then a missed chance by Ruiz who took his tally to six goals in the tournament.

After Koita blocked a stiff left-footed volley by Sergio Gomez in the second minute, Gelabert side-stepped a couple of defenders only to shoot wide with his left foot.

Mali had their best chance of the first half in the eighth minute when their top goal getter, with five goals before today&#39;s match, Lassana Ndiaye, got a faint touch to the ball after being chased in his forward thrust by Spain&#39;s Hugo Guillamon, but the ball kissed the side netting.

Then came the opening goal of the match when Gelabert was brought down, as he moved into the box, by Mali defender Abdoulaye Diaby. Ruiz sent Koita the wrong way from the spot- kick to provide the European U-17 champions a 1-0 lead.

Mali fought back after falling into arrears as they made repeated raids on the rival area but some good defending by Spain and some wayward shot-making by the African champions denied them the equaliser.

Spain came close to scoring for the second time as a centre from the left wing by Mohammed Moukhliss was allowed to reach Ruiz who, however, shot wide on-the-run from close range.

Mali tried some long range shots and from one of those, Spain goalie Alvaro Fernandez brought off a diving save to deny Cheick Omar Douchare.

Just when it seemed that Spain would go in with a 1-0 advantage at half time came a counter attack off which Gelabert put a through ball for Ruiz to run forward and find the right corner of the net with a neat placement past Koita.

Mali then were denied a goal in controversial fashion.

A 40-yard pile-driver by Doucoure flew past Spanish goalie Fernandez and hit the underside of the cross bar and bounced on the ground before coming back into play which was headed out. But the ball seemed to have bounced inside the goal before rebounding into play, with the assistant referee not signalling it in.

Even as play continued the Mali bench rose as a whole to protest and after continuous shouting caught the attention of referee Ryuji Sato of Japan who, after remonstrating with the Mali bench, showed the yellow card to one of the support staff members for repeated back-chatting.

To rub more salt to the wounded of Mali came the third goal from Spain, once again following an attack from the wing as a high cross from the left by Gomez was headed in by an unmarked Ferran Torres.

After a short break for drinks, N&#39;Diaye caught the Spain defense napping and moved well into the box after hoodwinking a couple of defenders before slotting in with an angular effort to make it 3-1 with 16 minutes left on the clock.

Putting all their effort into attack Mali made another stiff effort but substitute Mamadou Traore&#39;s essay sailed over the bar. 
With time ticking away Spain made an all-out effort and denied Mali any further goals to sail into the final against fellow-European rivals England. PTI

England got the better of South American champions Brazil 3-1 in the first semi-final

European champions Spain staved off a battling Mali to emerge 3-1 winners in a rip-roaring, action-packed semi-final contest to enter the summit clash of the FIFA U-17 World Cup at the D Y Patil Stadium, here today. Spain scored twice in the first half, both the goals coming from their ebullient striker Abel Ruiz, and added one more through a headed goal by Ferran Torres to take a commanding 3-0 lead before Mali found the mark for the first and only time through their own top goal getter Lassana N'Diaye in the 74th minute. By virtue of this win, Spain has entered the final of the FIFA U-17 World Cup for the fourth time after their first apperance in the title clash 2007. Mali also had an attempt that appeared like a legitimate goal which was controversially not signalled in by the assistant referee, when they were trailing 0-2 before Spain scored their third goal to virtually shut off the contest although Mali fought hard till the end. The victory by Spain after staving off a late fight-back by the African age group champions has, thus, piloted them into a summit clash against England at Kolkata on October 28. Spain were the dominant force in the entire first half × England got the better of South American champions Brazil 3-1 in the first semi-final. Spain were the dominant force in the entire first half as they took a handy two-goal lead with their sharp-shooter Abel Ruiz finding the net on both occasions, the first one from the penalty spot in the 19th minute and the second with an on- the-run effort in the 45th minute. Ruiz and Cesar Gelabert combined beautifully with promptings from the mid-field to tear apart the leaky Mali defense to shreds. Spain clearly had the better share of the exchanges too and could have been 4-0 up but for an early brilliant save by Mali custodian Youssouf Koita and then a missed chance by Ruiz who took his tally to six goals in the tournament. After Koita blocked a stiff left-footed volley by Sergio Gomez in the second minute, Gelabert side-stepped a couple of defenders only to shoot wide with his left foot. Mali had their best chance of the first half in the eighth minute when their top goal getter, with five goals before today's match, Lassana Ndiaye, got a faint touch to the ball after being chased in his forward thrust by Spain's Hugo Guillamon, but the ball kissed the side netting. Then came the opening goal of the match when Gelabert was brought down, as he moved into the box, by Mali defender Abdoulaye Diaby. Ruiz sent Koita the wrong way from the spot- kick to provide the European U-17 champions a 1-0 lead. Mali fought back after falling into arrears as they made repeated raids on the rival area but some good defending by Spain and some wayward shot-making by the African champions denied them the equaliser. Spain came close to scoring for the second time as a centre from the left wing by Mohammed Moukhliss was allowed to reach Ruiz who, however, shot wide on-the-run from close range. Mali tried some long range shots and from one of those, Spain goalie Alvaro Fernandez brought off a diving save to deny Cheick Omar Douchare. Just when it seemed that Spain would go in with a 1-0 advantage at half time came a counter attack off which Gelabert put a through ball for Ruiz to run forward and find the right corner of the net with a neat placement past Koita. Mali then were denied a goal in controversial fashion. A 40-yard pile-driver by Doucoure flew past Spanish goalie Fernandez and hit the underside of the cross bar and bounced on the ground before coming back into play which was headed out. But the ball seemed to have bounced inside the goal before rebounding into play, with the assistant referee not signalling it in. Even as play continued the Mali bench rose as a whole to protest and after continuous shouting caught the attention of referee Ryuji Sato of Japan who, after remonstrating with the Mali bench, showed the yellow card to one of the support staff members for repeated back-chatting. To rub more salt to the wounded of Mali came the third goal from Spain, once again following an attack from the wing as a high cross from the left by Gomez was headed in by an unmarked Ferran Torres. After a short break for drinks, N'Diaye caught the Spain defense napping and moved well into the box after hoodwinking a couple of defenders before slotting in with an angular effort to make it 3-1 with 16 minutes left on the clock. Putting all their effort into attack Mali made another stiff effort but substitute Mamadou Traore's essay sailed over the bar. With time ticking away Spain made an all-out effort and denied Mali any further goals to sail into the final against fellow-European rivals England. PTI

U-17 World Cup: Spain beat Mali, will play England in final

More than 200 thrillseekers jumped off a bridge in Brazil in an attempt to set a new world record in rope jumping.

245 men and woman took&nbsp;a plunge from the same bridge at the same time; each wearing a helmet attached to a harness.&nbsp;

&quot;It was an unbelievable experience.&nbsp;You jump and it&#39;s pure adrenaline and you just go,&quot; a&nbsp;participant said.&nbsp;

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The bridge is at 30 metres of height.

Guinness World Records is yet to recognise this death defying event. The previous record of mass jumping&nbsp;involved&nbsp;149 participants.&nbsp;

Rope jumping involves jumping from heights while tied to a nylon rope. It differs from bungee jumping since the rope used for jumping&nbsp;doesn&#39;t bounce back. &nbsp;

More than 200 thrillseekers jumped off a bridge in Brazil in an attempt to set a new world record in rope jumping.

More than 200 thrillseekers jumped off a bridge in Brazil in an attempt to set a new world record in rope jumping. 245 men and woman took a plunge from the same bridge at the same time; each wearing a helmet attached to a harness. "It was an unbelievable experience. You jump and it's pure adrenaline and you just go," a participant said. × The bridge is at 30 metres of height. Guinness World Records is yet to recognise this death defying event. The previous record of mass jumping involved 149 participants. Rope jumping involves jumping from heights while tied to a nylon rope. It differs from bungee jumping since the rope used for jumping doesn't bounce back.

245 people jumped off a bridge in attempt of new world record

A sharp increase in forest fires stoked record losses in global forest cover equivalent to the area of New Zealand in 2016, a Global Forest Watch report has said.

The alarming pace of destruction of 51% higher than the prior year with a loss of 73.4 million acres (29.7 million hectares), according to data from the University of Maryland&nbsp;was partially due to climate change that has increased the risks and intensity of wildfires by triggering temperature rise and drought in some places, the monitor said yesterday.

The 2015-2016 weather phenomenon El Nino, one of the strongest on record, also played a role, having created particularly dry conditions in the tropics. Many of those tropical areas are not naturally prone to catching fire&nbsp;but vulnerability increased due to poor management and was exacerbated by El Nino.

Deadly blazes in Brazil and Indonesia were among those contributing to the loss. This year, deadly blazes have again devastated regions of Portugal as well as California.

Brazil&#39;s Amazon region lost 9.1 million acres of tree cover more than three times that of 2015. And Portugal saw some 4% of its forests go up in smoke in 2016, the highest proportion of any other country.

Nearly half of all forests burned in the European Union in 2016 were in Portugal, where fire-prone eucalyptus and pine plantations along with poor soil encouraged the deadly flames.

The country is set to break the record for destroyed forests in 2017, with recent disasters killing dozens of people.

Early 2016 saw one of the largest fires ever recorded in Central Africa, destroying 37,000 acres of forest in the Republic of Congo.

Last year&#39;s Fort McMurray fire in Canada ravaged more than 1.5 million acres, causing $8.8 billion in damage.

Deforestation resulting from agriculture, logging and mining also contributed to the losses.

The report urged improving fire and forest management, including early warning systems, fire bans during dry seasons and more augmented investment in forest protection and restoration.

A sharp increase in forest fires stoked record losses in global forest cover equivalent to the area of New Zealand in 2016

A sharp increase in forest fires stoked record losses in global forest cover equivalent to the area of New Zealand in 2016, a Global Forest Watch report has said. The alarming pace of destruction of 51% higher than the prior year with a loss of 73.4 million acres (29.7 million hectares), according to data from the University of Maryland was partially due to climate change that has increased the risks and intensity of wildfires by triggering temperature rise and drought in some places, the monitor said yesterday. The 2015-2016 weather phenomenon El Nino, one of the strongest on record, also played a role, having created particularly dry conditions in the tropics. Many of those tropical areas are not naturally prone to catching fire but vulnerability increased due to poor management and was exacerbated by El Nino. Deadly blazes in Brazil and Indonesia were among those contributing to the loss. This year, deadly blazes have again devastated regions of Portugal as well as California. Brazil's Amazon region lost 9.1 million acres of tree cover more than three times that of 2015. And Portugal saw some 4% of its forests go up in smoke in 2016, the highest proportion of any other country. Nearly half of all forests burned in the European Union in 2016 were in Portugal, where fire-prone eucalyptus and pine plantations along with poor soil encouraged the deadly flames. The country is set to break the record for destroyed forests in 2017, with recent disasters killing dozens of people. Early 2016 saw one of the largest fires ever recorded in Central Africa, destroying 37,000 acres of forest in the Republic of Congo. Last year's Fort McMurray fire in Canada ravaged more than 1.5 million acres, causing $8.8 billion in damage. Deforestation resulting from agriculture, logging and mining also contributed to the losses. The report urged improving fire and forest management, including early warning systems, fire bans during dry seasons and more augmented investment in forest protection and restoration.

Forest fires contributed to record global tree cover loss: Report

India is expected to raise its concerns over terrorism at the BRICS Summit here, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the grouping has important contributions to make in upholding peace and security, and addressing global challenges.

With Modi&#39;s visit to China for the BRICS summit taking place days after the two countries ended their 73-day standoff in the Dokalam area, all eyes are on a possible bilateral meeting between the prime Minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping.

While there is no official word on the possible meeting between the two leaders, there are indications that the two may interact with each other on the sidelines of the summit which will begin from tomorrow in this Chinese port city.

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The summit will be the first gathering when the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will meet after New Delhi and Beijing decided on &quot;expeditious disengagement&quot; of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area on August 28.

In significant remarks on the eve of the summit, Xi underlined that &quot;treating each other as equals and seeking common ground while shelving differences&quot;, is an important part of cooperation between the five member emerging economies.

Ahead of the prime minister&#39;s visit, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said it is a common practice to have such meetings on the sidelines of multilateral forums when asked if there will be a bilateral between Modi and Xi.

Asked about China&#39;s comments that it will not be appropriate to discuss Pakistan&#39;s counter-terrorism records at the BRICS Summit, the spokesperson said he cannot pre-empt what Modi will say during his interventions at the restricted and plenary sessions of the Summit.

But he asserted that India&#39;s position on terrorism has been very clear and it has been raising the issue at various multilateral forums.

&quot;We noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistan&#39;s counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I don&#39;t think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at BRICS summit,&quot; Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying had said ahead of the Summit.

According to sources, India is expected to flag its concerns over terrorism.

Yesterday, Modi in his departure statement had said &quot;India attaches high importance to the role of BRICS that has begun a second decade of its partnership for progress and peace. BRICS has important contributions to make in addressing global challenges and upholding world peace and security.&quot;

The prime minister had also said he was looking forward to engaging with leaders of nine other countries, including BRICS partners, in an Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue, being hosted by Xi on September 5.

&quot;We will also interact with the BRICS Business Council represented by captains of industry from all the five countries,&quot; he said. PTI

There has been no official word on a possible meeting between the two leaders

India is expected to raise its concerns over terrorism at the BRICS Summit here, with Prime Minister Narendra Modi asserting that the grouping has important contributions to make in upholding peace and security, and addressing global challenges. With Modi's visit to China for the BRICS summit taking place days after the two countries ended their 73-day standoff in the Dokalam area, all eyes are on a possible bilateral meeting between the prime Minister and Chinese President Xi Jinping. While there is no official word on the possible meeting between the two leaders, there are indications that the two may interact with each other on the sidelines of the summit which will begin from tomorrow in this Chinese port city. Ahead of the prime minister's visit and when asked, external affairs ministry spokesperson Raveesh Kumar said it is common practice to have such meetings on the sidelines of multilateral forums × The summit will be the first gathering when the leaders of Brazil, Russia, India, China and South Africa will meet after New Delhi and Beijing decided on "expeditious disengagement" of their border troops in the disputed Dokalam area on August 28. In significant remarks on the eve of the summit, Xi underlined that "treating each other as equals and seeking common ground while shelving differences", is an important part of cooperation between the five member emerging economies. Ahead of the prime minister's visit, External Affairs Ministry Spokesperson Raveesh Kumar had said it is a common practice to have such meetings on the sidelines of multilateral forums when asked if there will be a bilateral between Modi and Xi. Asked about China's comments that it will not be appropriate to discuss Pakistan's counter-terrorism records at the BRICS Summit, the spokesperson said he cannot pre-empt what Modi will say during his interventions at the restricted and plenary sessions of the Summit. But he asserted that India's position on terrorism has been very clear and it has been raising the issue at various multilateral forums. "We noticed that India, when it comes to Pakistan's counter-terrorism, has some concerns. I don't think this is an appropriate topic to be discussed at BRICS summit," Chinese Foreign Ministry spokesperson Hua Chunying had said ahead of the Summit. According to sources, India is expected to flag its concerns over terrorism. Yesterday, Modi in his departure statement had said "India attaches high importance to the role of BRICS that has begun a second decade of its partnership for progress and peace. BRICS has important contributions to make in addressing global challenges and upholding world peace and security." The prime minister had also said he was looking forward to engaging with leaders of nine other countries, including BRICS partners, in an Emerging Markets and Developing Countries Dialogue, being hosted by Xi on September 5. "We will also interact with the BRICS Business Council represented by captains of industry from all the five countries," he said. PTI

Indications that Modi, Xi may meet on sidelines of BRICS summit

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