Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/24
In Pictures: Ultra-Orthodox Jews
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/23
In Pictures: Huge hurricanes
In Pictures: Oh to be young again, Mr. President!
In Pictures: Facing the devastation of the Oklahoma tornadoes
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/22
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/21
In Pictures: Sinkholes around the world
A reveler of the Beija-flor samba school participates in the second night of the annual carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome on March 7. Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen waves from a Vila Isabel samba school float during carnival celebrations in the Sambadrome in Rio de Janeiro on March 7. Silvia Izquierdo/AP
A float from the Uniao da Ilha samba school parades through the Sambadrome during carnival celebrations in Rio de Janeiro on March 7. Rodrigo Abd/AP
A member of the Uniao da Ilha samba school participates in the second night of the annual carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome on March 7. Sergio Moraes/Reuters
A performer from the Salgueiro samba school participates in the second night of the annual carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome on March 7. Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
Brazilian pop singer Roberto Carlos waves from atop a float of the Beija-flor samba school on the second night of the annual carnival parade in Rio de Janeiro's Sambadrome on March 7. Ricardo Moraes/Reuters
A masquerader from the band 'What I Saw,' presented by Robert Lakhan, performs on Carnival Monday at Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on March 7. Andrea De Silva/Reuters
A performer from the band 'What I Saw' dances on Carnival Monday at Queen's Park Savannah in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago, on March 7. Andrea De Silva/Reuters
Riders in the Krewe of Orpheus Mardi Gras parade throw trinkets to the crowd in New Orleans on March 7. Gerald Herbert/AP
Actor Andy Garcia, portraying Bacchus XLIII, parades down St. Charles Avenue with the Krewe of Bacchus in New Orleans on March 6. Sean Gardner/Reuters
Journalist Anderson Cooper and television presenter Kelly Ripa toss beads to revelers while riding on a float in the Krewe of Endymion Mardi Gras parade in New Orleans on March 6, 2011. Mardi Gras season ends with an all-day celebration on 'Fat' Tuesday, March 8. Patrick Semansky/AP
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu (l.) and Herschel Abbott, Jr., who is Rex, King of Carnival 2011, push a plunger to start a fireworks show in celebration of Rex's arrival in New Orleans on March 7. Rex will reign over an all-day celebration on 'Fat' Tuesday, March 8, when Mardi Gras season officially ends. Patrick Semansky/AP
Young Gilles of Binche take part in the carnival parade in Binche on March 8. The Binche carnival, now a UNESCO World Heritage event, is the biggest and the liveliest annual event in Belgium. Up to 1,000 Gilles parade in Binche, wearing a medieval costume hung with bells and decorated with fluffy lace at the neck, wrists, and ankles. Francois Lenoir/Reuters
The Gilles of Binche take part in the carnival parade in Binche, Belgium, on March 8. Francois Lenoir/Reuters
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/24
In Pictures: Ultra-Orthodox Jews
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/23
In Pictures: Huge hurricanes
In Pictures: Oh to be young again, Mr. President!
In Pictures: Facing the devastation of the Oklahoma tornadoes
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/22
Photos of the Day: Photos of the day 05/21
In Pictures: Sinkholes around the world
The police strike that threatened Carnival, one of the world's most festive parties, shows how labor movements are gaining the upper hand in Brazil for the first time in history, says guest blogger.
• A version of this post ran on the author's blog, riorealblog.com. The views expressed are the author's own.
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