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Trump pardons ex-media mogul Conrad Black and former California politician

Conrad Black. Photo: Max Mumby/Indigo/Getty Images

President Trump issued pardons for ex-media mogul Conrad Black and former California politician Patrick Nolan on Wednesday evening.

Catch up quick: Black, a Canadian-born publisher was found guilty of 4 counts of fraud in 2007 for plotting to steal millions of dollars from the sale of newspapers owned by Hollinger Inc., where he was CEO and chairman. He was sentenced to 6 years in prison, and served more than 3, later deported from the U.S. His media empire once included the Chicago Sun-Times, The Daily Telegraph, The Jerusalem Post and other papers throughout the U.S. and Canada. Last year, Black published a book titled "Donald J. Trump: A President Like No Other."

“Lord Black’s case has attracted broad support from many high-profile individuals who have vigorously vouched for his exceptional character."
— the White House said in a statement announcing the pardon
  • Trump also issued a full pardon to Nolan, who, after serving a 33-month sentence on charges of public corruption, became an advocate for criminal justice reform and victims’ rights.

Go deeper: Trump pardons former U.S. soldier convicted of killing Iraqi prisoner<br/>

Go deeper

Oriana Gonzalez
2 hours ago - World

Brazil begins distributing AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine

Containers carrying doses of the Oxford/AstraZeneca vaccine arrive in Brazil. Photo: Maurio Pimentel/AFP via Getty Images

Brazil on Saturday began distributing the 2 million doses of the AstraZeneca coronavirus vaccine that arrived from India Friday, Reuters reports.

Why it matters: Brazil has the third highest COVID-19 case-count in the world, according to Johns Hopkins University data. The 2 million doses "only scratch the surface of the shortfall," Brazilian public health experts told the AP.

Go deeper (<1 min. read)Arrow
Barak Ravid, author of from Tel Aviv
2 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Sullivan speaks with Israel's national security adviser for the first time

Israeli national security adviser Meir Ben Shabbat U.S. Photo: Mazen Mahdi/Getty Images. U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan. Photo: Chandan Khanna/Getty Images

U.S. national security adviser Jake Sullivan spoke on the phone Saturday with his Israeli counterpart Meir Ben Shabbat, Israeli officials tell Axios.

Why it matters: This is the first contact between the Biden White House and Israeli prime minister's office. During the transition, the Biden team refrained from speaking to foreign governments.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow
Axios
3 hours ago - Politics & Policy

Biden speaks to Mexican president about reversing Trump's "draconian immigration policies"

Mexican President Andrés Manuel López Obrador. Ismael Rosas/Eyepix Group/Barcroft Media via Getty Images

President Biden told his Mexican counterpart, Andrés Manuel López Obrador, on a phone call Friday that he plans to reverse former President Trump’s “draconian immigration policies.”

The big picture: The Biden administration has already started repealing several of Trump’s immigration policies, including ordering a 100-day freeze on deporting many unauthorized immigrants, halting work on the southern border wall, and reversing plans to exclude undocumented people from being included in the 2020 census.

Go deeper (1 min. read)Arrow