Andrei Khalip

Portugal's workers have gone on strike in protest against harsh austerity measures imposed on the country for a bailout from the EU and IMF.

Brazil's Carnival parades got off to a majestic start on Sunday night as dancers dressed as monarchs, courtiers and even roast pheasants at a royal feast shimmied their way through Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome. Beauty queens wearing little more than plumed headdresses gyrated on top of giant floats as singers chanted ''The kingdom has moved, my Rio has bloomed''.

Throughout their history of poverty and political turmoil, Peruvians have been fiercely proud of their elaborate, spicy food and new superstar chefs are now a magnet for culinary tourists. Lima used to be no more than a one-night stopover for international tourists -- many of them backpackers and budget travellers.