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The article discusses the popularity in Brazil of Chinese Internet Company Alibaba Group Holding Ltd.'s AliExpress retailing Website. AliExpress frequently offers merchandise at substantial discounts to what Brazilians would pay in retail stores. Over a one-year period the number of visits to the Website has grown from 1.5 million to 12 million. Brazil's relatively few free-trade agreements along with high energy and labor costs contribute to the high price of consumer goods there.

The article discusses disillusionment in Brazil over that country's status as host nation of the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament. Amid shortcomings in public transportation, education, and other public services, Brazilians increasingly believe the billions of dollars spent on stadiums and other World Cup infrastructure has been wasteful, with just 48% of those surveyed saying holding the tournament in Brazil is a good idea.

The article discusses the indebtedness of Brazil's middle class and those who aspire to it. Between 2009 and 2012 loans to consumers grew at an average annual rate of 25%. The proportion of household income committed to debt repayment is more than double that of the U.S. Government policies aimed at spurring consumption rather than improving infrastructure have exacerbated the problem.

The article looks at the growing popularity of social media in Brazil. The author attributes the growth to Brazil's expanding middle class that has increased its online activity. In addition, she notes that social media companies have focused on Brazil as a location for expansion outside of the U.S. and Europe. Information is provided on the use of social media websites such as Facebook, YouTube, and Twitter in Brazil, as well as how the country's culture promotes sharing information.

The article reports that gross domestic product (GDP) of Brazil will contract to 1.18 percent in 2015 due to drought conditions and decisions taken by business enterprises in Brazil to outsource their business outside of the country.

The article discusses the shortage of skilled workers in Brazil, which is blamed on the poor education system and the country and college graduates' preference to work abroad.

The article discusses the presidential campaigns in Brazil with details on Brazilian President Dilma Rousseff's re-election campaign, Brazilian economist Aécio Neves' presidential campaign, and environmentalist Marina Silva's presidential campaign.

The article discusses the political climate in Brazil, focusing on an upcoming presidential election and the rise of expectations from the middle class, and evaluating the impact of these demands on support for the Workers' Party (PT) of current president Dilma Rousseff.

The article presents world news briefs as of July 23, 2014 on topics including the deployment of close to 300 additional police officers in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil's slums, a power sharing agreement between Cambodia's government and opposition leaders, and a suicide bombing attack in Afghanistan.

The article reports that, following the conclusion of the 2014 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, daily incidents such as shootings have occurred in slums known as favelas despite a crime pacification campaign as of July 2014.

The article considers the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament, discussing the general satisfaction of soccer fans with host country Brazil despite problems with tournament organization.

The article discusses a report which claims that the Brazilian security forces will be put to the test during the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament, focusing on street crime in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and the alleged clashes between protesters and riot police in São Paulo, Brazil.

The article looks at the Marco Civil, a proposed Internet law in Brazil, as of March 2014, noting that Internet firms including Google Inc. have objected to a provision requiring storage of all data related to Brazilians within the country and reporting the provision has been removed from the bill.

The article examines funk, a dance music genre in Brazil associated with poverty in that country and how it has become an increasingly significant part of popular music there acquiring fans from all economic and social classes.

The article discusses a February 2014 report which claims that Brazil's economic growth has weakened over the past two quarters, focusing on the country's industrial production and retail sales, as well as a comparison of the economic conditions in China and Brazil.

The article focuses on concerns that Brazil's airlines and airport infrastructure won't be up to the task of smoothly transporting an estimated 600,000 foreign sports fans attending the 12 World Cup host cities in Brazil in June of 2014 and comments on the lack of backup transportation options.

The article discusses demonstrations, or rolezinhos, by teenagers in Brazil over class struggles as of January 2014, with information on a rolezinho at a shopping mall in São Paulo, Brazil, income inequality in Brazil, and violent reactions to protesters by police.

The article discusses the reform of police academy training in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as of January 2014, with information on public opinion of the city's police force, treatment of citizens living in shantytowns, or favelas, and security measures for the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament in Brazil.

The article looks at Internet law in Brazil as of November 2013, reporting on a bill under consideration to require Internet companies store data pertaining to Brazilian citizens in data centers located in the country and citing concerns over U.S. government electronic surveillance.

The article discusses the anticapitalist demonstrations in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil as of October 2013, noting the city will host the 2013 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament and the 2016 Olympic Games, the security concerns of the events' organizers, and the cost of these mass protests.

The article discusses the arrests and injuries of dozens of people following political demonstrations in several Brazilian cities during the country's Independence Day festivities on September 7, 2013.

The article discusses a visit of Pope Francis I to Brazil in July 2013, focusing on his positioning of the Roman Catholic Church as an advocate for the poor as well as a Mass held on Copacabana beach in the city of Rio de Janeiro that was attended by over three million pilgrims.

The article reports on preparations for World Youth Day sponsored by the Catholic Church, which is scheduled to be held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil in July 2013 and attended by Pope Francis, discussing the Church's hope that the event will increase church attendance in Brazil.

The article discusses the use of social media and video streaming by journalists such as Bruno Torturra and news organizations such as Ninja Media in Brazil, focusing on political protest coverage and competition with large news organizations as of June 2013.

The article discusses protests in Brazil over various grievances including corruption and government spending to host the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament, with a particular emphasis on the presence of middle-class protesters among the demonstrators.

The article discusses violence at June 2013 protests against public transportation fare increases in São Paulo, Brazil, where protesters threw stones at police who were deploying tear gas, and mentions public unrest due to unemployment and inflation in Brazil.

The article discusses the February, 2013 rejection by Brazil's National Institute of Industrial Property of an application from consumer-electronics maker Apple Inc. to use the "iPhone" trademark for smartphones it sells in Brazil, due to the fact that Brazilian electronics company IGB Electrônica SA already owns the rights to it.

The article examines how the success of Corinthians Paulista, a soccer club based in São Paulo, Brazil, in the five years leading up to 2013 reflects the improving economic conditions of the city and its Itaquera district. INSET: Having a Ball.

The article reports that as of January 2013 Chinese consumer technology firms such as Lenovo Group Ltd. and Baidu Inc. are hoping to compete with U.S. technology firms in Brazil as a high-growth market.

The article reports that China-based computer company Lenovo Group is acquiring three Brazilian consumer electronics companies, which will contribute to its aim of expanding into related markets such as mobile devices and televisions.

The article discusses the collapsed business empire of Brazilian billionaire Eike Batista. Amid strong demand for commodities in the mid-2000s Batista assembled several assets including interests in mining, shipbuilding, and infrastructure. Their success depended in large measure on his oil company, OGX Petróleo e Gás Participações SA, which proved unable to produce much oil. OGX declared bankruptcy on October 30, 2013.

The article discusses the collapse of one-time Brazilian billionaire Eike Batista's business empire and presents commentary from him on his difficulties. Eike controls several interrelated firms whose prospects dimmed when production at his oil company, OGX, fell far short of expectations. Batista blames OGX's management including Paulo Mendonça, who had formerly been in charge of oil exploration at petroleum company Petrobras.

The article discusses demonstrations across Brazil on June 12, 2014 by citizens angry over the amount of money the government spent to host the 2014 FIFA World Cup soccer tournament, including protests in São Paulo where the opening match between Brazil and Croatia took place.

The article discusses a nightclub fire in Santa Maria, Brazil that killed 232 people, most of whom were students, during a performance by the band Gurizada Fandangueria, noting that the fire was allegedly started by the band's use of pyrotechnics in its live performance.

The article reports on June 2013 comments by President of Brazil Dilma Rousseff proposing a national referendum on constitutional reform as well as political corruption enforcement and health and eduction finance policies, in response to mass political protests in the country.

The article discusses ongoing demonstrations in cities across Brazil on June 20, 2013 over assorted issues including corruption and public spending to host the 2014 World Cup soccer tournament, and notes the addition to the ranks of protesters of members of the ruling Workers Party was not well-received by all.