What we’re reading: Biden to pull troops out of Afghanistan, Chauvin chooses not to testify

Published Apr 16, 2021

In this 2012 photo, Afghan National Army soldiers lines up for a training session at the 203 Thunder Corps base in Gardez, Paktia province, Afghanistan. (AP Photo/Anja Niedringhaus)

Biden announces that U.S. troops will be out of Afghanistan by September 11

President Biden announced that all troops will be pulled out of Afghanistan by Sept. 11, 2021, the 20th anniversary of the attacks on the World Trade Center, according to CNN.

The decision comes after Biden deemed the conflict in Afghanistan no longer aligned with American priorities.

“War in Afghanistan was never meant to be a multigenerational undertaking,” Biden said during a White House press conference. “We were attacked. We went to war with clear goals. We achieved those objectives.”

Bernie Madoff, former Ponzi scheme leader, is dead

FILE – Disgraced financier Bernard Madoff leaves U.S. District Court in Manhattan after a bail hearing in New York, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. Madoff, the financier who pleaded guilty to orchestrating the largest Ponzi scheme in history, died early Wednesday, April 14, 2021, in a federal prison, a person familiar with the matter told The Associated Press. (AP Photo/Kathy Willens, File)

Bernie Madoff, the former financier who ran the largest Ponzi scheme in the world, has died at 82, according to ABC News.

Madoff was known for defrauding thousands of investors, turning nearly $65 billion, after the Great Recession of 2008.

He founded what appeared to be the successful Bernard L. Madoff Investment Securities firm. It turned out his business was just a sham.

Madoff’s attorney, Brandon Sample, told ABC News Madoff died a “broken man.”

“His health just continued to deteriorate over the past several months,” Sample said. “He had been in a special care unit, almost like hospice, for some time.”

Carlos Rodon throws no-hitter

Chicago White Sox pitcher Carlos Rodon throws against the Minnesota Twins in the first inning of a baseball game Wednesday, April 13, 2016, in Minneapolis. (AP Photo/Jim Mone)

Chicago White Sox left-hander Carlos Rodon threw a no hitter against the Cleveland Indians on Wednesday, according to ESPN.

Rodon, 28, threw 114 pitches the entire game, with his fastest pitch hitting 98.8 mph.

Rodon was throwing a perfect game through 9 innings until he hit Cleveland’s Roberto Perez in the foot. He nearly became the fourth White Sox player in history to throw a perfect game.

Rodon eventually finished off the game, completing the no hitter.

“I can’t believe it,” Rodon said. “It’ll be hard to top this one.”

Derek Chauvin will not testify in court

Former Minneapolis police officer Derek Chauvin, accused of killing George Floyd, told the court on Thursday he will not testify, according to ABC News.

“I will invoke my 5th Amendment privilege today,” Chauvin told the court.

Chauvin’s defense attorney Eric Nelson said he and Chauvin have had ongoing conversations about whether he would take the stand.

Judge Peter Cahill questioned Chauvin’s decision, asking if he was pressured into making it.

“No promises or threats, your honor,” Chauvin told the judge.