Cachaça is the key ingredient of one of Brazil's favourite cocktails – caipirinhas – but it's long been considered a street drinker’s tipple. Now, it’s increasingly on the lips of sommeliers and on the tasting menus of sophisticated restaurants, as the spirit enjoys a high-end transformation

With Facebook feeds full of aggressive political messages, streets filling with protests, and a troubled economy that's on the decline, it would seem Brazil has little to laugh about. But satirical news site Sensacionalista is offering people an emotional release with pieces that really 'get' Brazil.

New shopping malls and a young population with sophisticated shopping tastes are helping make Brazil one of the world's most profitable luxury markets. But the recent economic downturn means optimism is ebbing. Does a gloomy economic outlook spell the end of Brazil’s luxury bonanza?

The Brazilian beauty market is booming, and French cosmetics company Sephora plans to cash in on it. With big plans for more product lines, pop-up shops and brick-and-mortar stores in 2016, the company is investing in bringing prestige cosmetics to beauty junkies across Brazil.