Brazil

Another lavish $215 million arena built for last year's event is now a homeless shelter. Touted as one of the best World Cups in history on the pitch, it's left a hangover of waste and mismanagement.

The Brazilian performer was a huge hit with American audiences who loved her outrageous costumes and beautiful voice. But she's been less appreciated in her homeland — until now.

Brazil is hosting not just the Olympics in 2016 but also the Paralympics. And activists for the disabled say Rio de Janeiro has a long and potholed road ahead of it to get ready for the games.

Tens of thousands of people are suffering after losing their jobs in the wake of wide-scale corruption at Brazil's state oil company. Scores of politicians and executives have been implicated.

The second-term president faces a massive corruption scandal at the state oil company that implicates her party, rising inflation and a tanking currency. Now, her popularity is at an all-time low.

One of the top schools competing in the Carnival parade received $3.5 million from Equatorial Guinea, sparking outrage in Brazil. The move puts a spotlight on Carnival's questionable sponsorships.

Restaurants are using disposable cutlery and plates. Residents only have water for a few hours. Food prices are soaring. Now, Sao Paulo faces draconian rationing of up to five days a week.