Rio de Janeiro  - The rains that devastated 30 towns in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina could be an early consequence of global warming, a climatologist from the Brazilian National Institute for Space Research (INPE) said Friday.

At least 99 people died and 80,000 had to be evacuated because of the rains and subsequent flooding. Santa Catarina was hit by a hurricane in 2004 and is frequently affected by tornadoes.

Climatologist Carlos Nobre told Globo TV that heavy, persistent rains in southern Brazil usually coincide with the climate phenomenon known as El Nino, which warms up the Pacific Ocean. However, this was not the case this year.

Rio de Janeiro  - On the Avenida Atlantica, the magnificent avenue on Copacabana beach in Rio de Janeiro, minors offer sex for just a few dollars.

Participants at the third World Congress Against the Sexual Exploitation of Children (ECPAT), which ended Friday in the Brazilian city, could witness the extent of the problem almost first-hand.

Near Rio's poshest hotels, girls and boys seek out clients even in the presence of police. "Poverty feeds the sexual exploitation of children," said federal police superintendent Ismar Ferreira.

Rio de Janeiro/Florianopolis, Brazil - The deaths of at least 97 people and the evacuations of close to 80,000 have not been the only tragic consequences of heavy rain in the southern Brazilian state of Santa Catarina.

In the wake of the natural catastrophe, residents were Thursday living in fear of epidemics and looting, with huge queues to get water and food.

The streets of the worst-affected towns became the stage for chaos. In the town of Itajai, where 80 per cent of the homes were damaged by the rain, at least 24 people were arrested following looting at a supermarket.

Rio de Janei

Rio de Janeiro  - The use of the internet to spread child pornography and to find victims for the sex trade pose new challenges for governments, the head of UNICEF said at a global conference on child sexual exploitation.

"Parents and children must prepare themselves better for the risks of the internet," Ann Veneman, UNICEF executive director, said Wednesday in Rio de Janeiro.

Rio de Janeiro  - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva is to free up 538 million dollars for reconstruction and support for the victims of heavy rains in the southern state of Santa Catarina, which left at least 86 people dead and more 54,000 evacuees.

Following a meeting with Russian President Dmitry Medvedev in Rio de Janeiro, Lula cancelled all appointments on his schedule for Wednesday and travelled to Santa Catarina.

He flew over the towns that were devastated by the rain, which was affecting more than 1.5 million people in the state.

According to state Civil Defence officials, the number of dead could rise to more than 100, since at least 30 people remained missing.