International
The former marine accused of killing a homeless man in the New York subway is acquitted
Former marine Daniel Penny, accused of strangling a homeless man to death in the New York subway in 2023, was acquitted by a popular jury on Monday on the charge of murder by criminal negligence he was facing.
The sentence for Penny, 26, could have reached up to four years in prison. Last Friday, the judge in charge of the case dismissed another charge of second-degree involuntary homicide – for which he was exposed to up to 15 years in prison – after the jury failed to agree.
In court today was the victim’s father, Andre Zachery, who left the room once the verdict was announced.
“Justice for Jordan Neely”
Meanwhile, part of the public burst into cheers and outside the court about fifteen people shouted “justice for Jordan Neely,” local media reported.
The former marine, of Caucasian race, was accused of carrying out a strangulation key in 2023 against the African-American Jordan Neely for about six minutes, after he shouted to the passengers that he was hungry and thirsty and did not care “to die or go to jail.”
Defense of the ex-marine claims that he strangled the homeless to “protect” the passengers
Neely was a 30-year-old street artist who imitated Michael Jackson in the Big Apple, had a long history of mental illness and, at the time of the events, was homeless.
Throughout the trial, which began on November 1, Penny’s defense has argued that the former soldier’s intention was to “protect” the passengers, who were “frightened” by Neely’s “erratic” performance.
For her part, the deputy prosecutor Dafna Yoran has alleged that, although Penny could have had a good intention at the time, the ex-marine ended up overstating himself and ignoring “the humanity” of the victim.
The jury, composed of seven women and five men, began deliberating last Tuesday after the closing of the Prosecutor’s pleadings.
Penny’s case has caused division among New Yorkers, because while some consider him “a hero”, others believe he was overdone and that his actions had racist overtones.
International
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Ecuador’s Armed Forces carried out an operation on Monday — including airstrikes — against illegal mining in the town of Buenos Aires, in the country’s north, Defense Minister Gian Carlo Loffredo reported.
The mountainous, gold-rich area has been a hotspot for illegal mining since 2017, located in the Andean province of Imbabura.
In 2019, former president Lenín Moreno deployed around 2,400 soldiers to the region in an attempt to curb the illegal activity. “The operation began with mortar fire, followed by gunfire and bombing runs by Supertucano aircraft,” Loffredo said in a video released by the Defense Ministry.
He added that the operation would continue on Tuesday with patrols across the area to locate possible members of “irregular armed groups that may have crossed from the Colombian border.”
The Armed Forces stated on X that the intervention focused on the “complete elimination of multiple illegal mining tunnels” in the areas known as Mina Nueva and Mina Vieja.
The operation coincided with the deployment of a military and police convoy into Imbabura, which has been the epicenter of protests against President Daniel Noboa since September 22, following his decision to scrap the diesel subsidy.
International
Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
Venezuela has announced the closure of its embassy in Norway, just days after opposition leader María Corina Machado was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. The Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said the Venezuelan diplomatic mission provided no explanation for its decision on Monday.
“It is regrettable,” a ministry spokesperson said. “Despite our differences on several issues, Norway wishes to keep the dialogue with Venezuela open and will continue to work in that direction.” The ministry also emphasized that the Nobel Committee operates entirely independently from the Norwegian government.
In its announcement, the Nobel Committee stated that Machado met the criteria established by Alfred Nobel, “embodying the hope for a different future, where the fundamental rights of Venezuelans are heard.”
International
Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
Thousands of military personnel and civilians in Mexico worked tirelessly on Tuesday to clear roads blocked by the torrential rains of recent days, which have left more than 300 communities cut off across central and eastern regions of the country. Authorities also launched mass fumigation efforts in several affected areas to prevent the spread of dengue fever.
The official death toll remains at 64, though dozens of people are still missing. President Claudia Sheinbaumacknowledged that the government does not yet know the full situation in many of the isolated villages, which range in population from 500 to 1,000 inhabitants.
“The reopening of roads is one of the greatest urgencies,” Sheinbaum said. “It’s essential to guarantee air bridges, food supplies, clean water, and a proper census of the isolated communities so we can determine the condition of every person living there.”
Private construction companies are also assisting the effort with heavy machinery and technical support to help reopen highways and reconnect rural areas.
Armed forces target illegal mines in Northern Ecuador with bombing raids
Caracas shuts embassy in Oslo without explanation following Machado’s Nobel win
Sheinbaum: Urgent to restore access to towns cut off by heavy rains
Tec de Monterrey honors one of its students for his contribution to nanotechnology in medicine
Defense Minister commends salvadoran soldier for Central American Cross Country victory
Extension of the state of emergency approved in southern Chile
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