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.

Rome - Italian anger at Brazil's decision not to hand over a convicted murderer and former leftist terrorist intensified Tuesday and threatened to spill over onto the football pitch.

Foreign Minister Franco Frattini following talks with Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi decided to recall Rome's ambassador to Brasilia Micele Valensise "for consultations," a Foreign Ministry statement said.

The move followed the "grave decision" on Monday by Brazil's top prosecutor to call for extradition proceedings against Cesare Battisti to be dropped, the statement said.

Sao Paulo - The World Social Forum is set to meet starting Tuesday in the northeastern Brazilian city of Belem, as the gathering gets renewed strength and meaning from the ongoing global financial and economic crisis.

This is the ninth edition of the forum, a self-declared "alternative" to the simultaneous World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland.

Brasilia  - Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva congratulated new US President Barack Obama on Wednesday, and expressed a call for "fluent and profitable" dialogue and a "renewed friendship" between the two countries.

Madrid  - Brazilian giants Palmeiras announced on Wednesday that they have signed veteran Edmilson from Spanish club Villarreal, for an undisclosed fee.

According to Brazilian website Globoesporte, Edmilson, 32, has agreed to a two-year contract with Palmeiras, who are coached by Vanderlei Luxemburgo.

Villarreal have still not confirmed the departure of the Brazilian defender-cum-midfielder.

Edmilson joined Villarreal from Barcelona in July 2008, but has hardly played for the club.