When Barack Obama lands in Brazil this weekend, he will find a country transformed. In little more than a decade, some 30 million people have been lifted out of poverty and the country has risen to seventh place in the world economy.

Obama is set to depart Friday night on a five-day trip to Brazil, Chile and El Salvador — his first journey in the Americas south of Mexico. But with the crises brewing elsewhere, few outside the region may notice.

Citing an opportunity to advance our national security, economic competitiveness and public diplomacy, the U.S. Travel Association has urged President Obama to discuss prospects for including Brazil and Chile in the Visa Waiver Program (VWP) when he visits South America this month.

India and Brazil Tuesday signed a bilateral air services agreement (ASA), intended to increase air-connectivity between the two countries, an official statement said. 'The new ASA has the potential to spur greater trade investment, tourism and strengthening the cultural exchange, besides bringing it in tune with the developments in the international civil aviation scenario,' the statement from the civil aviation ministry statement said.

Brazil has profited handsomely over the past decade from its economic relationship with China. Exports to the People's Republic have shot up nearly 20-fold since 2000, and last year alone, Brazil enjoyed a bilateral trade surplus of $5.2 billion, largely thanks to China's seemingly insatiable appetite for iron ore and soybeans.

A series of cables released today reveal that U.S. diplomats were alarmed by Brazil's forays into Mideast diplomacy, long before last year's unsuccessful nuclear deal with Iran and the recognition of the Palestinian state.

Brazil's World Cup football stars are among players from the five-time world champion nation that have been approached and shown interest in visiting Kenya in March to launch a trade and cultural exchange between the two countries. Cafu, Brazil's most-capped player and a double World Cup winner, and Junior Baiano could be guests at the March 22-26 First Brazil in Eastern Africa Expo that will highlight several aspects of Brazilian trade, commerce, culture and sport.

The Knesset's Immigration, Absorption and Public Diplomacy Committee met Tuesday to discuss Israel's response to the recent recognition of a Palestinian state by Brazil, Argentina, Bolivia, and Ecuador.