Politicians have given into the demand that sparked Brazilian protests, lowering bus fares from 3.20 reais back down to R$3.00 (about $1.60 back down to $1.50), massive protests continue throughout the country.

The New York Times has a good summary of what’s going on, while The New Inquiry has some excellent analysis.

Though transportation fares were the catalyst for the first protests, their purpose has widened to include government corruption and the costs of hosting the World Cup and the Olympics, which have eaten up tax money that could have gone to badly underfunded schools and hospitals.