Michael Cohen, President Donald Trump’s former lawyer, says he deserves early release from home confinement, but federal authorities refuse to credit him for good behavior and hundreds of hours of work and prison courses completed behind bars. Cohen filed court papers Monday contending he “could be eligible for release in a matter of weeks or months” under the First Step Act, a sweeping criminal justice reform Trump signed into law in 2018.
Once one of Trump’s closest advisers, Cohen was sentenced to three years in federal prison after pleading guilty to tax evasion, campaign finance fraud, and lying to Congress. His convictions included orchestrating payments to two women to keep them from talking publicly about alleged affairs with Trump.
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Speaking to his party members during a video-conference, Blue and White leader Benny Gantz says he laid out five demands to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to avert elections.
“If they want it, they’ll take it. If they don’t, there will be elections,” he says.
The demands are: passing a 2020-2021 budget; approving all the senior appointments that have been held up; closing all loopholes that would allow Netanyahu to avoid handing over power to Gantz as part of their rotation agreement; keeping Avi Nissenkorn as justice minister; and approving the Knesset rules of procedure.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Benny Gantz attend a graduation ceremony for new Air Force pilots at the Hatzerim air base near Beersheba, June 25, 2020. (Ariel Schalit/ Pool/AFP)
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Gulf countries say they will halt all passenger flights and close their borders for a week or longer, after a new strain of coronavirus spreads quickly in England.
Saudi Arabia, Kuwait and Oman say they are suspending commercial travel and banning entry and exit via their land and sea borders, other than for cargo.
Riyadh said it is stopping international flights for at least one week and possibly two, the official Saudi Press Agency reported late on Sunday night.
“Entry to the kingdom through land and sea ports will also be suspended for a week, which can be extended by another week,” SPA added, citing the interior ministry.
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Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu condemns the murder of Esther Horgen, 52, a mother of six, in a northern West Bank forest, vowing Israel will hunt down her killers.
“Esther Horgen was brutally murdered when she went for a run near her home. The security forces will apprehend the murderer as fast as possible and bring them to justice. I would like to send deep condolences to the family,” tweets Netanyahu.
Authorities are investigating the case as a suspected terror attack.
Police said in a statement that there were signs of violence to Horgen’s body and that the death was considered a suspected murder. The Shin Bet security service was also taking part in the investigation.
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The Health Ministry says it will take until January 19 for the country to administer 60,000 vaccinations a day, the benchmark laid out by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, according to Channel 12.
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