RUGBY UNION

Paulo Freire, the Brazilian educationist, was one of the most influential philosophers of his generation.

After heavily beating a car passenger with their batons for no apparent reason, the Brazilian police let him drive off. Then one fired two shots through the back window, killing him, according to his friends.

The world "player of the year" Ronaldo said yesterday that the "door is open" for him to leave Barcelona at the end of the season.

Rugby Union

Donovan Bailey, the Olympic 100 metres champion, plans defend his title at the 2000 Sydney Olympics after all. The 29-year-old Canadian had previously said that he did not see himself taking part in another Olympic cycle, but his plans have changed. "There's still a lot left," he said. "I still pursue the dream of running a perfect race, or a race with the least amount of mistakes."

At least 100 people were feared dead after a Brazilian airliner crashed into a Sao Paulo neighbourhood yesterday, tearing through an apartment block, a supermarket and houses. Officials said all 89 passengers and six crew of the TAM Fokker were killed as well as at least three people on the ground.

Thomas Muster, of Austria, who is still incensed at abuse directed at him in a Davis Cup tie in Brazil last month, said yesterday that he would rather stop playing in the competition than risk injury at the hands of unruly fans.

Tennis

In October 1995 Bryan Robson pulled off the transfer coup of the season by persuading Juninho to join Middlesbrough. As Britain waited expectantly for the brilliant Brazilian, Phil Davison flew to Sao Paulo and secured the player's first interview with an English newspaper

General Ernesto Geisel was the military ruler who showed courage and common sense in putting Brazil back on the path to civilian rule during his term as President - from 1974 to 1979 - in a period of significant political and economic development in Latin America's largest country. He was the fourth in a line of five generals who ruled for 21 years from 1964 to 1985. Geisel had been a conspirator in the 1964 coup, backed by the United States, which overthrew President Joao Goulart at a time of increasing government instability and corruption.

Two players were sent off for fighting while the referee was given a police escort on Sunday in a Brazilian championship match which had begun with players offering their support to a peace campaign.

Comment

The five members of Mamonas Assassinas shot out of nowhere to become the Brazilian teen pop sensation of the decade. They perished spectacularly together in a plane crash, leaving only one record, and were mourned by the Brazilian public and media as extravagantly as Ayrton Senna, the last great popular hero to be buried in Brazil.