THE rate of Amazon deforestation rose sharply during the last five months of 2007 as land was cleared for soy and cattle, prompting a top-level emergency meeting yesterday by government officials to deal with the problem.

Inmates armed with makeshift knives have ended their four-day uprising at a prison in Brazil’s remote Amazon jungle and released 207 hostages.

Inmates at a prison in Brazil’s remote Amazon jungle today refused to release their 207 hostages even though authorities were prepared to meet their principal demand by returning their escaped leader from another prison.

A prison guard held hostage by inmates at a Rio de Janeiro detention centre was fatally shot as he tried to escape, according to a media report today.