Up First

Minneapolis is celebrating after former police officer Derek Chauvin was found guilty of murder and manslaughter. Activists and politicians say now is the time to push for more police reform. President Joe Biden reacted to the verdict by renewing his call to address racial discrimination in policing and the criminal justice system.

Jurors will continue deliberating today after weeks of testimony and evidence were wrapped up by the prosecution and the defense yesterday. NPR has pieced together the story of how one of the most audacious cyber hacks in recent memory was carried out by Russia last year. And, intense fighting in northwest Ethiopia is fueling a humanitarian crisis including serious war crimes.

Minneapolis is preparing for a verdict in the trial of former police officer Derek Chauvin as closing arguments begin today. Alexei Navalny, one of Vladimir Putin's most vocal critics, is reportedly dying in a Russian prison as he continues his hunger strike. And, vaccine eligibility is open to all adults across the country, but some states are still seeing unfilled appointments.

This bonus episode is about India. Currently home to the one of the largest protests in modern history. Tens of thousands of farmers across the country are demanding that the government revoke a series of reforms that will change India's agricultural sector. NPR's Planet Money podcast follows a farmer who jumped into the free market 25 years before these laws were passed, and whose story serves as an example of both the prospects and the perils of liberalization.

More protests and and outpouring of grief over police shootings of Black and Latino Americans. As the country opens up vaccine eligibility to everyone over the age of 16, authorities keep the administration of Johnson & Johnson's coronavirus on pause as they review cases of rare blood clots associated with the shot. President Biden talks global security and threats with Japan's prime minister, with much of the discussion focusing on China.

The release bodycam footage of the fatal police shooting of a 13 year old in Chicago sparks protests. The prosecution and the defense will present their closing arguments to the jury in the murder trial of former officer Derek Chauvin. And, the U.S. troop withdrawal from Afghanistan could leave the country vulnerable to becoming a safe haven for terrorist groups.

While protest continue for the fourth night in Minneapolis, the white police officer who shot and killed 20-year old Daunte Wright is out on bond after being charged with second degree manslaughter. There are reports President Biden will announce new sanctions on Russia and the expulsion of diplomats in response to hacking and election interference. And, Capitol Police Inspector General Michael Bolton will testify before Congress about the failures leading up to the January 6th insurrection.

Derek Chauvin's lawyers continue to make their case today after a third night of unrest in Minneapolis following the killing of Daunte Wright. President Biden is expected to announce US troop withdrawal from Afghanistan by September 11, ending the America's longest war. And, Top health officials from the CDC and FDA are recommending states temporarily halt the use of the single dose Johnson & Johnson vaccine.

As vaccinations ramp up and restrictions begin to loosen across the country, are we ready to get off zoom or FaceTime and socialize in person again? Do we even know how to anymore? In this bonus episode of Up First brought to you by NPR's Life Kit podcast, we tackle our social woes, as well as provide tips for how to get back out there.

More protests in Minneapolis as details emerge about the killing of yet another black man by a police officer. Iran is promising revenge for an explosion at one of it's largest nuclear facilities, threatening the future of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal as talks resume. And, Russia is building up its military presence along the Ukrainian border stoking fears of another invasion.

There is fresh outrage over the killing of another black man in a suburb of Minneapolis just miles from the courtroom where former officer Derek Chauvin is on trial for the murder of George Floyd. There are vaccine shortages in some states where cases are rising. And, the Biden administration is holding a summit today to address the shortage of semi-conductors, a crucial supply chain issue.

Concerns about the Oxford-AstraZeneca vaccine have countries reconsidering its use. In Alabama, Amazon warehouse workers voted against unionizing. The medical examiner testified this week about ruling George Floyd's death a homicide.

The murder trial of former officer Derek Chauvin is closing out it's second week as the prosecution calls on more medical experts to point to Chauvin's use of force as the cause of George Floyd's death. Northern Ireland is seeing a new wave of violence following nearly a week of nightly clashes with police. And, lawmakers in Colorado are reluctant to pass stricter gun measures following the mass shooting that killed ten people.

President Joe Biden is following through on a campaign promise to implement common sense gun laws. He is expected to introduce regulations for certain types of firearms and accessories. COVID-19 deaths are surging in Brazil, yet President Jair Bolsonaro refuses to lockdown the country. And, Derek Chauvin's defense is trying to make the case that George Floyd's death had less to do with use of force and more to do with his opioid addiction and underlying health concerns.

Lawmakers are beginning to dig in to President Biden's $2 trillion infrastructure proposal while Democrats consider going it alone. More testimony from experts in use of force as the murder trial of former Minneapolis Officer Derek Chauvin continues. And, some experts are worried that vaccine hesitancy and refusal could be high enough to prolong the pandemic.

Derek Chauvin's former boss, Minneapolis police chief Medaria Arradondo testified against him saying he violated policy. Testimony continues in the second week of the murder trial. Talks begin today in Vienna aimed at bringing the US back into the 2015 Iran nuclear deal. And, after months of lockdown, the United Kingdom is slowly reopening shops, gyms, hair salons and pubs with outdoor beer gardens

While a record 4 million people a day are being vaccinated, infections among children and young adults are driving the latest surge of COVID cases in more than 20 states. Three of Georgia's largest corporations are facing growing pressure to take a stronger stand against the state's new voting laws. And, Jordan's former crown prince says he's under house arrest; he claims it's because he associated with people who criticized the king.

In this bonus episode of Up First, NPR's Consider This host Ari Shapiro takes stock of the current moment in trans rights, where states across the country have introduced bills targeting trans youth.

Another fatal attack at the U.S. Capitol escalates security concerns. The trial of former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin in the killing of George Floyd continues. The U.S. and Iran will talk through European intermediaries next week — a move that could lay the groundwork for a new nuclear deal.

The first full week of the trial against former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin was full of emotion, medical details and an examination of the police's use of force policy. Dozens are dead after a train derailed on the east coast of Taiwan. And, college enrollment is falling dramatically, new data from the National Student Clearinghouse shows a 10% drop.