The Associated Press
Officer Accused in Black Man’s Death Involved in 3 Shootings
A white Minneapolis police officer accused of killing a black suspect by kneeling on his neck is a 19-year veteran of the force with a service record that includes three shooting incidents, one of them fatal, and nearly 20 complaints.
Indigenous Leader Calls for Help in Brazil’s Biggest Reserve
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — As the coronavirus spreads into indigenous lands in Brazil, killing at least 40 people so far by the government’s count, the first two COVID-19 deaths were registered this week in the Xingu area, one of the biggest reserves in the world.
Amid Virus Lockdown, Radio Lessons Return in Latin America
FUNZA, Colombia (AP) — At a small farmhouse outside Colombia’s capital city, Marlene Beltran picks up a ruler and crayons. She turns on the radio, sits down at a creaky wooden table and helps her 5-year-old brother with a lesson on how to make paper cubes and decorate them with drawings that tell a story.
Mayor: Officer Who Put Knee on Man’s Neck Should Be Charged
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The mayor of Minneapolis called Wednesday for criminal charges against the white police officer seen on video kneeling against the neck of a handcuffed black man who complained that he could not breathe and died in police custody.
Victim in Police Encounter Had Started New Life in Minnesota
Before he died after being pinned for minutes beneath a Minneapolis police officer’s knee, George Floyd was suffering the same fate as millions of Americans during the coronavirus pandemic: out of work and looking for a new job.
Board: Puerto Rico to See 65% Surplus Drop Amid Debt Crisis
SAN JUAN, Puerto Rico (AP) — A federal control board that oversees Puerto Rico’s finances approved a revised fiscal plan on Wednesday that temporarily suspends all budget cuts and anticipates the island’s projected surplus could plunge by 65% as it warned the government is unable to pay current debt obligations.
Spread of Coronavirus Fuels Corruption in Latin America
MIAMI (AP) — Even in a pandemic, there’s no slowdown for swindlers in Latin America.
Venezuela’s Apparent Respite From COVID-19 May Not Last Long
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Defying dire predictions, Venezuela so far seems to have avoided the coronavirus wave striking much of South America.
Woman Fired After Backlash From Racist Park Confrontation
NEW YORK (AP) — The verbal dispute between a white woman walking her dog and a black man bird watching in Central Park might normally have gone unnoticed in a city preoccupied by the coronavirus pandemic.
Four Minneapolis Officers Fired After Death of Black Man
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — Four Minneapolis officers involved in the arrest of a handcuffed black man who died in police custody were fired Tuesday, hours after a bystander’s video showed the man pleading that he could not breathe as a white officer knelt on his neck.
Costa Rica Latest Country to Legalize Same-Sex Marriage
SAN JOSÉ, Costa Rica (AP) — Costa Rica became the latest country to legalize same-sex marriage early Tuesday when a ruling from its supreme court went into effect ending the country’s ban.
Thousands Wait to Take US Citizenship Oath Amid Virus Delays
BOSTON (AP) — Wendy De Los Santos passed the test to become a U.S. citizen just days before government offices shut down nationwide because of the coronavirus pandemic.
Black Man Dies After Video Shows Officer Kneeling on Neck
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — A black man has died in Minneapolis police custody after video shared online from a bystander showed a white officer kneeling on his neck during his arrest as he pleaded that he couldn’t breathe.
In Bolsonaro’s Brazil, Everyone Else Is to Blame for Virus
RIO DE JANEIRO (AP) — With Brazil emerging as one of the world’s most infected countries, President Jair Bolsonaro is deflecting all responsibility for the coronavirus crisis, casting blame on mayors, governors, an outgoing health minister and the media.
1st Iranian Ship Reaches Venezuela With No sign of US Threat
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — The first of five tankers loaded with gasoline sent from Iran reached Venezuelan waters late Saturday, expected to temporarily ease the South American nation’s fuel crunch while defying Trump administration sanctions targeting the two U.S. foes.
Mexico Cancels Soccer Season Because of Coronavirus Pandemic
MEXICO CITY (AP) — Mexico’s Liga MX canceled the remainder of its spring season without crowning a champion for the first time, a decision caused by the new coronavirus pandemic.
In Mexican Border Cities, Many Fear Virus Is Coming From US
TIJUANA, Mexico (AP) — Adrián Alonso Gama lived life on both sides of the border, until he got the coronavirus.
Biden Says He Was Too ‘Cavalier’ About Black Trump Backers
ATLANTA (AP) — Joe Biden said he “should not have been so cavalier” in comments earlier Friday in which he suggested African Americans who back President Donald Trump “ain’t black.”
Soccer Players in Latin America Looking for Help Amid Virus
BOGOTÁ, Colombia (AP) — Santiago Cedeño opened the front door of his house when the car stopped outside. For days, the Panamanian soccer player had been eagerly anticipating the vehicle and its cargo of food supplies.
Venezuelan High Court Orders DirecTV Property Seized
CARACAS, Venezuela (AP) — Venezuela’s high court ordered the immediate seizure of all DirecTV property on Friday, days after the U.S. firm abandoned its services in the South American nation, citing U.S. sanctions.
Chicago Latinos See Higher Rates of COVID-19 Infections
CHICAGO (AP) — When Erendira Martinez’s husband started feeling sick at the beginning of April, he brushed off his cough and told her it was nothing.