By Alonso Soto BRASILIA (Reuters) - French President François Hollande sought to take advantage of a chill in U.S.-Brazil relations to push a French bid for a multibillion-dollar fighter-jet contract during a visit to Brasilia on Thursday. The Rafale fighter, built by France's Dassault Aviation, is competing against U.S.-based Boeing Co's F/A-18 Super Hornet and the Gripen, made by Sweden's Saab, to win a contract worth at least $4 billion, with probable follow-up orders that would greatly increase its value. Although Brazilian officials say budget constraints now make a decision unlikely before 2015, Hollande's visit highlights French efforts to clinch one of the most coveted defense contracts in the emerging world, which comes at a time when developed nations are slashing military budgets. Rousseff thanked Hollande for his support for Brazil's efforts to strengthen global Internet governance after allegations that the United States spied on both countries, and on Rousseff's personal communications.

Brasília (AFP) - President Francois Hollande said France and Brazil should double trade between them, as he met his counterpart Dilma Rousseff here Thursday at the start of a two-day state visit. "We have big ambitions, Brazil and France, to again double our trade in the coming years," he added. "We have had between the two countries a strategic partnership since 2006," Hollande said, adding "We must strengthen it." Rousseff meanwhile also hailed the expanding bilateral trade ties, particularly cooperation in the defense industry and high technology sector.

China's state-run Xinhua news agency released a three-paragraph story on the rocket malfunction. "The data obtained show that the subsystems of CBERS 3 functioned normally during the [launch]," INPE said. The compact car-sized CBERS 3 satellite was supposed to enter a 483-mile-high polar orbit with an inclination of 98.5 degrees. Brazilian news reports said the satellite cost $250 million, with Brazil and China equally sharing the investment.

Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos' popularity rose for a third straight month in December and he would be re-elected next year in a second-round vote, a poll published on Thursday showed. Santos' approval increased to 45.1 percent from 36.9 percent in November, according to the first Gallup poll since announcing he would run for re-election next year. Santos would beat opposition candidate Oscar Ivan Zuluaga, who represents former President Alvaro Uribe's new political party, by a wide margin in both rounds. "Santos' decision to seek reelection, the advances in peace negotiations, a decent economic performance and backing from the United States have all contributed to an improvement in his favorable image and voter intention," said Jorge Londono, head of Gallup Colombia.

Canadian planemaker Bombardier on Thursday said it had received a firm order for 30 of its CRJ900 NextGen regional jets from American Airlines, a deal worth USD$1.42 billion. American also placed an order for 60 E175 jets from Brazil's Embraer in a contract valued at $2.5 billion, as it looks to replace aging jets in its fleet. "It's been an exciting week for American Airlines," said Kenji Hashimoto, American's senior vice president for regional carriers, in a statement released by the US airline.

By Andrew Cawthorne and Patricia Velez CARACAS (Reuters) - Venezuela's murder rate has fallen by about a quarter this year, the government says, dismissing opponents' talk of ever-rising crime as propaganda. Violent crime has been Venezuelans' No. 1 concern in recent years. After taking over from late socialist leader Hugo Chavez in April, President Nicolas Maduro declared the war on crime his priority. Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez Torres, who also heads Venezuela's intelligence service, told Reuters that there had been an immediate impact, with the murder rate likely to end 2013 at a much-improved 39 per 100,000 inhabitants.

Barcelona coach Gerardo Martino said his side produced their best display in his time in charge as they ensured top spot in Champions League Group H with a 6-1 thrashing of Celtic on Wednesday. Gerard Pique opened the scoring for the hosts early on, but thereafter Neymar took centre stage as the Brazilian set up the second goal for Pedro Rodriguez before going onto score his first Barcelona hat-trick. A deflected effort from Cristian Tello and a late consolation from Giorgios Samaras rounded off the scoring. And Martino was delighted with how his side reacted to recent criticism following defeats away to Ajax and Athletic Bilbao.