Rio de Janeiro  - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said Thursday that he prays for US President Barack Obama to be successful in his efforts to overcome the ongoing economic and financial crisis.

"I pray for him more than I pray for myself, that he may find a way out for the United States. And who knows whether that may help solve the problem for other countries," Lula said as he opened a hydroelectric plant in the central Brazilian state of Tocantins.

Nuremberg, Germany - Toys made of a renewable material, bamboo, or tiny cars that demonstrate low-emission engines are eye-catching examples of a green trend at the Nuremberg Toy Fair which opened Thursday.

While no one could claim that the vast variety of plastic dolls and semiconductor-filled remote-control cars at Nuremberg are biodegradable, a few manufacturers have put environmental standards at the centre.

"We see it as the children's future. Toys ought not to damage our environment," said Felicitas Hoegger of Slowtoys, a tiny Swiss company, that uses recycled cardboard to make dolls' houses.

Rio de Janeiro - At least nine people, including a teenager, died Wednesday as police raided four slums in Rio de Janeiro in the fight against drug trafficking.

According to the city's Civil Defence Department, about 300 police officers took part in the operation in the favelas (slums) of Coreia, Taquaral, Rebu and Vila Aliança, in western Rio.

Police chief Rodrigo Oliveira claimed at least six of the dead were criminals. Police seized firearms and arrested three alleged drug dealers.

Stockholm  - Brazil has been presented a tender for 36 Swedish Gripen jet fighters, Swedish defence group Saab said Monday.

The offer comprises the next generation (NG) of the Saab Gripen, a multi-role fighter, and includes an "industrial cooperation package" with Brazilian participation in developing and producing the plane, the company said.

Last year the Brazilian Air Force listed the Swedish-made jet fighter as a candidate to consider when it modernizes its fleet.

Nagoya, Japan  - As the global recession hits Japan's export-driven economy, temporary workers at auto-parts and electronics plants have been among the first to lose their jobs with the 320,000 Brazilians living in Japan particularly vulnerable to the layoffs.

More than 800 Brazilians and their supporters took to the streets of the central Japanese city of Nagoya Sunday, raising their green and yellow national flags and calling for no more layoffs, secure employment and proper schooling for their children.

Paulo Kanashiro and Minoru Nishizawa, both Brazilians who have Japanese ancestry, brought their Brazilian co-workers from a Toyota subsidiary to the demonstration to demand from the Japanese government the same rights it guarantees Japanese workers.

Washington, Jan 31 : Hollywood actress Evangeline Lilly has launched a lingerie line with a noble thought in mind - she plans to raise money for the underprivileged Brazilian kids from its sales.

The `Lost' beauty has joined forces with Ebay Giving Works and leading auction management group Auction Cause to barter off intimate goodies just in time for Valentines Day.

The lingerie collection includes over 2,000 pieces of panties and bras.