US appeals court says Trump can take command of Oregon troops though deployment blocked for now
PORTLAND, Ore. (AP) — A U.S. appeals court has ruled that President Donald Trump can take command of 200 Oregon National Guard troops. He's still barred from actually deploying those troops — at least for now. A panel from the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled 2-1 Monday to put on hold an order that kept Trump from taking command of the troops. Another order prohibits Trump from sending any Guard troops to Oregon at all. The administration is now asking for that order to be dissolved. Oregon's attorney general said he would ask a broader appeals court panel to reconsider the ruling.
Massive Amazon cloud outage has been resolved after disrupting internet use worldwide
LONDON (AP) — A problem at Amazon’s cloud computing service disrupted internet use around the world. The outage on Monday took down a broad range of online services, including social media, gaming, food delivery, streaming and financial platforms. Amazon said the outage was resolved as of Monday evening. The all-day disruption and the ensuing exasperation it caused served as the latest reminder that 21st century society is increasingly dependent on just a handful of companies for much of its internet technology, which seems to work reliably until it suddenly breaks down.
US envoys visit Israel to bolster truce, and Gaza militants hand over a hostage's remains
TEL AVIV, Israel (AP) — Israel’s military says Palestinian militants in Gaza have handed over another body of a hostage. The remains of 13 hostages have been handed over since the ceasefire began. Two of U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoys traveled to Israel on Monday to shore up the ceasefire. Deadly violence gave the fragile deal its first major test on Sunday. Israel had threatened to halt aid transfers and its forces killed dozens of Palestinians in strikes after accusing Hamas militants of killing two soldiers. The United Nations said delivery of aid into the territory has resumed but did not say how much.
US and Australia sign critical-minerals agreement as a way to counter China
WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump and Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese have signed a critical-minerals deal at the White House. The United States is eyeing Australia's rare-earth resources as China imposes stricter export rules on its critical minerals. Monday's White House meeting comes after Beijing announced this month that foreign companies must get approval to export magnets with rare-earth materials from China. Trump administration officials say this gives China control over the tech supply chain. The two leaders also discussed a security pact among Australia, the U.S. and the United Kingdom that was signed during Joe Biden’s administration. Trump noted that AUKUS was established “a while ago” but that the agreement now is “moving along very rapidly, very well.”
Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke pot can legally own guns
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court will consider whether people who regularly smoke marijuana can legally own guns, the latest firearm case to come before the court since its 2022 decision expanding gun rights. The high court agreed to hear the case Monday. President Donald Trump’s administration is asking the justices to revive a case against a Texas man charged with a felony because he allegedly had a gun in his home and acknowledged being a regular pot user. Defense attorneys got the charge tossed out after an appeals court largely struck down a law that bans guns from users of illegal drugs under the high court’s more expansive view of the Second Amendment.
Blue Jays in World Series for first time since before Ohtani was born, while Dodgers seek to repeat
NEW YORK (AP) — The Toronto Blue Jays are back in the World Series for the first time since 1993. They host the Los Angeles Dodgers in Friday night's opener. The Dodgers are aiming to become the first repeat winners since the Yankees from 1998 to 2000. Shohei Ohtani leads the Dodgers with standout performances both at bat and on the mound. Toronto manager John Schneider feels the pressure of representing an entire country. Toronto hopes to secure its first title since back-to-back championships in 1992 and '93.
Comey's lawyers say case against him is driven by Trump's 'personal animus' and must be thrown out
WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawyers for former FBI Director James Comey are urging a judge to dismiss the case against him. In court papers Monday, they called it a vindictive prosecution motivated by “personal animus” and orchestrated by a White House determined to seek retribution against a perceived foe of President Donald Trump. The lawyers separately called for the indictment’s dismissal because of what they said was the illegitimate appointment of the U.S. attorney who filed the case days after being hastily named to the job by Trump. The double-barrel attack on the indictment, which accuses Comey of lying to Congress five years ago, represents the opening salvo in what is expected to be a protracted court fight ahead of a trial currently set for Jan. 5.
Government shutdown imperils dozens of Head Start preschool programs
WASHINGTON (AP) — Head Start programs that serve tens of thousands of the nation’s neediest preschoolers are facing a cutoff of federal funding at the end of the month because of the government shutdown. That would leave many programs scrambling to figure out how to keep their doors open. The early education initiative is funded almost entirely by the federal government, making it particularly vulnerable to funding disruptions. The programs are run by schools, local governments and nonprofits. The programs receive new grants annually and are not allowed to carry over unspent money.
Trump says he's doubtful Ukraine can win the war with Russia as he prepares for Putin meeting
KYIV, Ukraine (AP) — President Donald Trump says it's possible that Ukraine can defeat Russia, but he’s doubtful that it will happen. The latest comments from Trump added a fresh layer of skepticism toward Kyiv as he plans to meet again with Russian President Vladimir Putin to discuss ending the war. Trump on Monday said Ukrainians “could still win it” but added, “I don’t think they will.” Trump last month reversed his long-held position that Ukraine would have to concede land and said it could win back all the territory it has lost to Russia. But he changed his position again last week after holding a call with Putin and meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
Jewels stolen from the Louvre include imperial crowns and necklaces
PARIS (AP) — Jewels stolen from Paris’ Louvre Museum in a daring heist include a crown worn by Empress Eugenie, a brooch of Empress Eugenie, and a crown worn by Queen Marie-Amelie. Other items include a sapphire necklace and earrings worn by Queen Marie-Amelie and Queen Hortense, and an emerald necklace and earrings of Empress Marie-Louise. The French Culture Ministry has released this list as investigators hunt for the perpetrators. The museum is closed for a second day Monday.
