The economist profiles the rise of Brazil.  Also see here.  Once better known for soccer, its beaches the women and inflation, Latin America’s giant has taken some giant leaps forward in the last 15 years.  When gasoline prices rose in the United States, many looked with envy at Brazil’s ethanol driven cars.  Brazil’s sugarcane derived ethanol is economically far more viable than America’s corn based ethanol giveaway to Archer Daniels Midland Company.  Yet Brazil still has many hurdles to overcome, notably the endemic violence, crime and poverty in its shanty towns.  The riots there last month were an embarrassing distraction from the pride and joy of winning the 2016 Summer Olympics.