51.   A gang of prison inmates in the northeastern Brazilian state of Ceara escaped in five cars late Wednesday with five hostages, a military police spokesman said.

52.   Bolivia and Brazil were concluding negotiations to begin construction of a binational gas pipeline that will transport Bolivian natural gas to eight Brazilian states.

53.   Paradoxically, the sale of warehouse stocks held by the Brazilian state strengthened prices.

54.   Six soldiers died Tuesday when two military helicopters collided in mid-air near Macapa in the northern Brazilian state of Acapa, according to the Aeronautics Ministry.