"Protesters, Governments, and Indigenous Activists Unite to Protect Amazon's Future"

Environmental protesters gathered outside a convention center in Brazil to oppose plans by state-run oil company Petrobras to drill for oil at the mouth of the Amazon river. Petrobras has appealed against a decision by Brazil's environmental protection agency, Ibama, to deny permission for drilling, citing a lack of environmental assessment. The company holds exploration rights in a deepwater area south of where Suriname and foreign companies have discovered significant oil reserves. Brazil's Environment Minister stated that Ibama will impartially study Petrobras' new request, while President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva said a decision on exploration in the area would be made soon.