NATION & WORLD WATCH
Officer charged in Floyd’s death eligible for pension money
MINNEAPOLIS – Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin is eligible to receive pension benefits of $50,000 a year or more during his retirement years even if he’s convicted of killing George Floyd, according to the Minnesota agency that represents retired public workers. Chauvin is charged in the May 25 death of Floyd. The Minnesota Public Employees Retirement Association said former employees who meet length-of-service requirements qualify for benefits regardless of whether they quit or are fired.
Brazil now ranks No. 2 in world deaths from COVID-19
SAO PAULO – Brazil’s health ministry says the country has recorded 41,828 deaths during the coronavirus pandemic, meaning it has surpassed the United Kingdom and now has the second highest total in the world, according to tallies by Johns Hopkins University. Brazilian officials on Friday reported 909 deaths over the previous 24 hours. It is the hardest-hit nation in Latin America, with about 829,000 confirmed virus cases. The news came as states and cities across Brazil start to ease restrictive measures.
Mass graves in recently freed Libyan town shock UN chief
UNITED NATIONS – U.N. SecretaryGeneral Antonio Guterres expressed deep shock late Friday at the discovery of mass graves in Libyan territory recently recaptured from forces commanded by Khalifa Hifter, and called for an investigation. The U.N. chief also called on Libya’s U.N.-supported government to secure the graves, identify the victims, establish the causes of death and return the bodies to next of kin. He offered U.N. support for the work. The U.N. said at least eight mass graves have been discovered.
Lebanese protesters demand that government resign amid crisis
BEIRUT – Lebanese protesters returned to the streets in Beirut and other cities Saturday in mostly peaceful protests against the government, calling for its resignation as the small country sinks deeper into economic distress. The protests come after two days of rallies spurred by a dramatic collapse last week of the local currency against the dollar. Those rallies degenerated into violence, including attacks on private banks and shops. The local currency, pegged to the dollar for nearly 30 years, has been on a downward trajectory.