Brazil has overtaken the UK as the world's sixth largest economy, according to a London-based research centre.
The shift is part of a larger trend in which emerging economies are out doing some European countries.
The south American country was still considered something of an economic underachiever a decade ago, but as its economy grew steadily in the past eight years, things started to change.
Government's anti-poverty measures further helped in lifting more than 40 million people into a new middle class.
Al Jazeera's Gabriel Elizondo reports from Sao Paulo, Brazil.
As Cuba introduces limited changes to its economic system, what effect will they have on Cubans. Inside Story Americas discusses with guests: Peter Kombluh, Philip Brenner and Philip Peters.
Source: Al Jazeera's Inside Story America - http://youtu.be/EeieWJs6dck
The government of Peru want to change its image as the world's top exporter of pure cocaine by encouraging farmers to grow food, instead of coca leaves.
President Ollanta Humala's new policy overhaul includes a 20% increase in funding for social development as well as crop substitution in coca producing regions like the famed Vrae Valley.
In the final of a two part series, Al Jazeera looks at the efforts being made to crackdown on the country's "narco-terrorists".
Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman reports from Peru's Vrae Valley.
Peru, one of the world's leading producers and exporters of cocaine, has seen the illicit trade boom in recent times.
The industry's growth has prompted the country's government to plan an anti-drug campaign.
Some experts blame the authorities for not taking enough action to stop the drug trade, while poor coca farmers say the government's failure to help them economically has forced them to continue in the business.
Al Jazeera's Lucia Newman reports from Peru's Vrae Valley, the world's densest coca producing region, in the first of a two part special.
Parts of northern Peru are under a state of emergency after protests against a mining project.
The government has given the military powers to shut down protests and arrest people without a warrant in four provinces of Cajamaraca. It follows a series of demontrations by indigenous Peruvians opposed to a multi-billion dollar copper and gold mining venture in the state. Al Jazeera's Mariana Sanchez has more from Lima.
Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has hosted the first summit of a new regional bloc of Latin American and Caribbean leaders in Caracas.
The alliance of 33 nations - known as CELAC - excludes the United States and Canada. Chavez said the time had come to put an end to what he called US hegemony.
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