Sao Paulo  - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva warned rich countries Friday against turning to protectionism in the current global economic and financial crisis.

"It is a mistake to think that protectionism solves the problem. Protectionism, at this point, will make the problem worse," Lula said.

The president was in the northeastern Brazilian city of Belem, where he took part in the World Social Forum (WSF) a day earlier.

Sao Paulo  - Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez took a swipe Thursday at world leaders gathered for the World Economic Forum in Switzerland, describing it as a meeting of a "world that is dying."

Chavez was speaking at the anti-globalization World Social Forum (WSF) currently underway in the northeastern Brazilian city of Belem. The WSF developed as a counter balance to the economic forum in the Swiss resort of Davos.

Chavez said the event in Belem was "where a new world, a new era is born" at a time when the globe grapples with the widening economic crisis.

London, Jan. 29 : Brazilian striker Robinho has told friends he is "200 per cent" innocent of an allegation that he raped a teenager in a Leeds night club.

Robinho said that he went voluntarily to see the police after the complaint was made and is co-operating fully with detectives.

Publicity surrounding the claim has left the life of Britain''s most expensive footballer "in a mess," according to his friends.

The Telegraph says that he has been arrested and questioned after an undergraduate student claimed she was attacked in the early hours of the morning at Space nightclub in Leeds on January 14.

Rio de Janeiro  - Robinho will remain among the Brazilian players called for national duty in February despite the scandal he is immersed in, Brazil national coach Carlos Dunga confirmed Wednesday.

The Manchester City striker, 25, was arrested and questioned by police on Tuesday into allegations of a sexual assault at a Leeds nightclub on January 14.

Robinho was released on bail and, through his official website, has staunchly denied any involvement.

Belem  - Participants at the ninth World Social Forum (WSF) taking place in the northeastern Brazilian city of Belem demanded Wednesday that world leaders earmark for environmental protection the billions of dollars they are freeing up to rescue banks and companies in trouble over the financial crisis.

"They said there was no money to solve the environmental crisis, which is worse than the financial crisis, and now billions (of dollars) show up to save banks," said former Brazilian environment minister Marina Silva.

Sao Paulo/Belem  - Tens of thousands of anti-globalization activists gathered Tuesday in the northeastern Brazilian city of Belem for the opening of the World Social Forum (WSF), finding solidarity under the slogan "another world is possible."

The forum's founder Francisco Whitaker said participants would discuss ideas to create "a new civilization, based on other values." WSF runs to Sunday.