Massive Economic Protests as Brazil Readies for World Cup

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Another wave of protests snarled traffic today in São Paulo, and federal police have been sent to five cities hosting international soccer games. It all started less than two weeks ago with protests against a 10¢ increase in bus fares in São Paulo, Brazil's biggest city. Brutal police repression was shared on social media, and protests spread to other cities, where tens of thousands have turned out in outrage over a whole range of issues, becoming Brazil's biggest upheaval since democracy replaced military dictatorship in 1985. Middle-class professionals are in the streets alongside radicals and university students, to the apparent surprise of elected leaders. We hear about political corruption, the high cost of living and huge public spending for the upcoming World Cup and Olympic Games.

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Warren Olney