Worldfocus contributing blogger S. Azmat Hassan writes how President Obama’s first visit to China elicited considerable curiosity among the Chinese, though Obama could not have expected the generally rapturous welcome he has received in Europe. Additionally, the Chinese government saw to it that his visit was strictly controlled and choreographed.

Brazil's economy -- Latin America's largest -- has seen slipping industrial production and will take a hit this year. A Worldfocus contributing blogger writes about the fate of Brazil's scrap collectors as prices for recyclable materials drop.