Power Up: Biden goes it alone on Afghanistan Jacqueline Alemany
thanks for waking up with us. : Secretary of State Antony Blinken made an unannounced stop in Afghanistan on Thursday for meetings with Afghan President Ashraf Ghani and Abdullah Abdullah, who is heading up negotiations with the Taliban, to reassure them that Washington’s support for the war-torn country will continue despite the U.S. decision to withdraw all military forces by Sept. 11, our colleague John Hudson, who is traveling with Blinken, reports. “Ghani and his advisers met Blinken and his aides at Kabul’s ornate presidential palace. At the top of the meeting, Ghani told Blinken, ‘We respect [President Biden’s] decision and are adjusting our priorities.’”
Philonise Floyd, center, the brother of George Floyd, passes through security upon arrival at the Hennepin County Government Center earlier this month.Credit.Jim Mone/Associated Press
With a verdict in the trial of Derek Chauvin set to come as early as next week, the city of Minneapolis is already preparing for protests and civil unrest. The plan, which includes nine state and local agencies, called Operation Safety Net, is one of the biggest in the state’s history, likely only trailing the response to the 2007 collapse of the Interstate 35 bridge and the protests after George Floyd died in May.
Former officer Potter makes first court appearance in killing of Daunte Wright The former Brooklyn Center police officer will return to court in May. April 15, 2021 2:20pm
Video (03:46) : Daunte Wright s family reacts to charges in fatal shooting. | Star Tribune Text size Copy shortlink:
At a brief hearing Thursday before District Court Judge Paul Scoggin, Kimberly A. Potter made her first court appearance on a charge of second-degree manslaughter in the killing on Sunday of Daunte Wright.
The initial appearance held over a Zoom call lasted about five minutes, during which time Scoggin confirmed basic information and set a date of May 17 for the next hearing before District Court Judge Regina Chu. That hearing will be held in person.
April 15, 2021, 2:08 p.m. ETApril 15, 2021, 2:08 p.m. ET
Derek Chauvin Trial Live Updates: âEvidence Is Now Complete,â Judge Says After Chauvin Declines to Testify
The prosecution and defense rested their cases on Thursday after Mr. Chauvin, the former police officer accused of killing George Floyd, invoked his Fifth Amendment right not to testify. Closing arguments begin on Monday.
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Eric J. Nelson and his client Derek Chauvin discussing Mr. Chauvinâs decision to invoke his Fifth Amendment right not to testify on Thursday.Credit.Still image, via Court TV
Key Updates:
April 15, 2021, 12:21 p.m. ETApril 15, 2021, 12:21 p.m. ET
Memorials to George Floyd near where he was arrested. Some activists in Minneapolis said watching the murder trial of Derek Chauvin was âexhausting.âCredit.Jenn Ackerman for The New York Times