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.”

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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.

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International

Two killed in shooting at restaurant near Frankfurt Airport

Two people were shot dead early Tuesday at a restaurant in Raunheim, near Frankfurt Airport, according to local police.

Preliminary findings indicate that an armed individual entered the establishment at around 03:45 local time (02:45 GMT) and opened fire on the victims, who died at the scene from their injuries.

The suspect fled and remains at large, while the motive behind the shooting is still unclear, German media reported. Authorities have launched a large-scale search operation.

International

U.S. counterterrorism chief resigns over opposition to war in Iran

Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, announced Tuesday that he has resigned from his post, citing his opposition to the ongoing war in Iran.

In a post on X, Kent said he could not, “in good conscience,” support the conflict, arguing that Iran did not pose an imminent threat to the United States. He also claimed that the war was driven by pressure from Israel and its lobbying influence in Washington.

In a resignation letter addressed to Donald Trump, Kent alleged that at the start of the current administration, senior Israeli officials and influential figures in U.S. media carried out a disinformation campaign that undermined the “America First” platform and fostered pro-war sentiment aimed at triggering a conflict with Iran.

Kent further stated that he could not support sending a new generation of Americans to “fight and die in a war that provides no benefit to the American people and does not justify the cost in American lives.”

Since the United States and Israel launched attacks against Iran on February 28, at least 13 U.S. service members have been killed, while 10 others have been seriously wounded and around 200 have sustained minor injuries, according to a report published by The Wall Street Journal.

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International

German president warns Iran war could spread and disrupt Strait of Hormuz

The president of Germany, Frank-Walter Steinmeier, warned Monday that the war involving Iran could expand and further disrupt shipping through the strategic Strait of Hormuz. He urged a swift end to hostilities between Iran, United States and Israel.

Speaking in Panama City during a joint appearance with Panamanian President José Raúl Mulino, Steinmeier said available information suggests Iran has significant capacity to disrupt maritime traffic through the key oil route.

“Iran has considerable potential to interfere with shipping through the Strait of Hormuz,” Steinmeier said through an interpreter. “We should therefore reach an end to the hostilities as soon as possible and call on all parties involved to make that happen.”

The remarks came during Steinmeier’s visit to Panama, the first by a German president to the Central American nation.

The German leader described the possibility of the conflict spreading as “very dangerous,” saying recent developments indicate that such a scenario cannot be ruled out.

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Over the weekend, U.S. President Donald Trump urged allied nations to help ensure safe passage for ships through the Strait of Hormuz after Iran moved to block the waterway in response to U.S. strikes. However, several allies—particularly in Europe—have shown little support for the proposal.

“Some are very enthusiastic, others are not, and some are countries we have helped for many years,” Trump told reporters at the White House. “We have protected them from terrible external threats, and they’re not that enthusiastic. And the level of enthusiasm is important to me.”

Meanwhile, Kaja Kallas, the European Union’s top diplomat, said the Strait of Hormuz falls “outside NATO’s scope” and stressed that “the war involving Iran is not Europe’s war.”