Sao Paulo  - The collapse of the roof during services at a Pentecostal church Sunday night in Sao Paulo left at least seven people dead, authorities said.

The failure of the so-called structure left at least 40 people injured, some seriously, according to media reports in Brazil.

It was unclear how many people were in the so-called temple building at the time of the disaster. A church representative said that 60 people were in attendance at the worship service, while witnesses described at least 150 and rescue workers said it could have been as high as 500.

Sao Paulo/Bras

Sao Paulo - Banco Itau Holding Financeira SA agreed to acquire Uniao de Bancos Brasileiros SA on Monday, creating Brazil's biggest bank.

The Brazilian government applauded the merger and said it would make the country's financial system stronger.

"That new bank is set to become one of the largest financial institutions in the world," said Finance Minister Guido Mantega. He described the merger as "an important event, because they are two traditional, solid banks that will become even more solid."

Sao Paulo - Brazilians were still trying to digest Monday the hard blow they took a day earlier, when they saw the Formula One world championship - which they have not celebrated since Ayrton Senna's triumph in 1991 - slip away from their hands within seconds.

For less than one minute - during the last lap of the Brazilian Grand Prix at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo - the legion of Brazilian fans of motorsport revived the joy of celebrating an F1 title.

Sao Paulo  - Fernando Alonso was fastest in the final practice session ahead of qualifying later Saturday for Sunday's Brazilian Formula One Grand Prix.

The Renault driver clocked a time of 1 minute 12.141 seconds in for the 4.309-kilometres lap at the Interlagos circuit in Sao Paulo.

Championship leader Lewis Hamilton of McLaren-Mercedes was second fastest, 0.071 seconds slower than Alonso, with McLaren teammate Heikki Kovalainen third quickest.

Ferrari's Felipe Massa, Hamilton's world championship rival, was fourth quickest on the circuit.