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
U.S. Senate Rejects Budget, Bringing Government Closer to Shutdown Amid DHS Dispute
The U.S. Senate voted on Thursday against a budget proposal in a move aimed at pressuring changes at the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), following the killing of two civilians during a deployment of immigration agents in Minneapolis.
All Senate Democrats and seven Republican lawmakers voted against the bill, which requires 60 votes to advance, pushing the country closer to a partial government shutdown that would cut funding for several agencies, including the Pentagon and the Department of Health.
The rejection came as Senate leaders and the White House continue negotiations on a separate funding package for DHS that would allow reforms to the agency. Proposed measures include banning Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents from wearing face coverings and requiring them to use body-worn cameras during operations.
The vote took place just hours after President Donald Trump said he was “close” to reaching an agreement with Democrats and did not believe the federal government would face another shutdown, following last year’s record stoppage.
“I don’t think the Democrats want a shutdown either, so we’ll work in a bipartisan way to avoid it. Hopefully, there will be no government shutdown. We’re working on that right now,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting at the White House.
International
Trump Says Putin Agreed to One-Week Halt in Attacks on Ukraine Amid Extreme Cold
U.S. President Donald Trump said on Thursday that he secured a commitment from Russian President Vladimir Putinto halt attacks against Ukraine for one week, citing extreme weather conditions affecting the region.
“Because of the extreme cold (…) I personally asked Putin not to attack Kyiv or other cities and towns for a week. And he agreed. He was very pleasant,” Trump said during a Cabinet meeting broadcast by the White House.
Trump acknowledged that several advisers had questioned the decision to make the call.
“A lot of people told me not to waste the call because they wouldn’t agree. And he accepted. And we’re very happy they did, because they don’t need missiles hitting their towns and cities,” the president said.
According to Trump, Ukrainian authorities reacted with surprise to the announcement but welcomed the possibility of a temporary ceasefire.
“It’s extraordinarily cold, record cold (…) They say they’ve never experienced cold like this,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky later commented on the announcement, expressing hope that the agreement would be honored.
International
Storm Kristin Kills Five in Portugal, Leaves Nearly 500,000 Without Power
Storm Kristin, which battered Portugal with heavy rain and strong winds early Wednesday, has left at least five people dead, while nearly half a million residents remained without electricity as of Thursday, according to updated figures from authorities.
The revised death toll was confirmed to AFP by a spokesperson for the National Emergency and Civil Protection Authority (ANPEC). On Wednesday, the agency had reported four fatalities.
Meanwhile, E-Redes, the country’s electricity distribution network operator, said that around 450,000 customers were still without power, particularly in central Portugal.
Emergency services responded to approximately 1,500 incidents between midnight and 8:00 a.m. local time on Wednesday, as the storm caused widespread disruptions.
The Portuguese government described Kristin as an “extreme weather event” that inflicted significant damage across several regions of the country. At the height of the storm, as many as 850,000 households and institutions lost electricity during the early hours of Wednesday.
Several municipalities ordered the closure of schools, many of which remained shut on Thursday due to ongoing adverse conditions.
Ricardo Costa, regional deputy commander of the Leiria Fire Brigade, said residents continue to seek assistance as rainfall persists.
“Even though the rain is not extremely intense, it is causing extensive damage to homes,” he noted.
In Figueira da Foz, a coastal city in central Portugal, strong winds toppled a giant Ferris wheel, underscoring the severity of the storm.
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