Former shoeshine boy sworn in

A former shoeshine boy who went on to lead Brazil's Workers Party is being sworn in as president of Latin America's largest country.

Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva takes over from Fernando Henrique Cardoso in Brazil's first transition between two democratically elected presidents in over 40 years.

Mr Silva has promised to end hunger and economic misery in a country where an estimated 50 million of the 175 million citizens live in poverty.

But he faces huge challenges: inflation has crept into the double digits for the first time in years, and a regional economic crisis that has plunged Brazil's neighbours into financial chaos.

Brazil's currency, the Real, lost 35% of its value against the dollar last year, in part because of investor concerns over whether Mr Silva will keep his pledge of financing the country's large foreign debt burden - or whether Brazil will default, as Argentina did a year ago.

Thousands of Brazilians swarmed to take part in a huge inauguration party at a vast park within sight of Brazil's Congress, where Silva was to be sworn in.

In a break with tradition, organisers set up huge TV screens and a stage where Brazilian pop groups will play after the inauguration.