U.S. federal appeals court allows Trump to deploy National Guard troops to Portland

A federal appeals court based in California on Monday allowed the Trump administration to deploy National Guard troops to the city of Portland, lifting a lower court order that had halted the deployment.

The 2-1 ruling from a three-judge panel of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit, headquartered in San Francisco, California, came roughly two weeks after a federal judge temporarily blocked U.S. President Donald Trump's attempt to send National Guard troops to Portland, the state of Oregon.

The latest opinion concluded that "it is likely" that the president lawfully exercised his statutory authority, which authorizes the federalization of the National Guard when "the President is unable with the regular forces to execute the laws of the United States."

Russian, U.S. top diplomats discuss steps to implement Putin-Trump understandings

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov held a phone call with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Monday.

As a brief statement published on the website of the Russian Foreign Ministry noted, the two sides held a "constructive discussion" on possible specific steps to implement the understandings reached during the Oct. 16 telephone conversation between Russian President Vladimir Putin and U.S. President Donald Trump.

The ministry did not release more information about the call.

Japan's LDP, Japan Innovation Party sign coalition agreement

Japan's ruling Liberal Democratic Party (LDP) and the Japan Innovation Party on Monday formally agreed to form a coalition government, with party leaders Sanae Takaichi and Hirofumi Yoshimura signing a written agreement.

The deal will effectively pave the way for LDP President Sanae Takaichi to secure victory in the upcoming prime ministerial designation vote.

The agreement outlined a wide-ranging policy agenda, including swift implementation of economic relief measures, constitutional reform, and major structural reforms, national broadcaster NHK reported.

Israel says received body of hostage held in Gaza

Israel has received, via the Red Cross, the coffin of an unidentified Israeli hostage held in Gaza, the Prime Minister's Office said on Monday.

The statement said the coffin was handed over to the Israeli army and the Shin Bet domestic security agency inside Gaza and will be transferred to Israel.

The body will undergo identification at the National Center for Forensic Medicine in Tel Aviv, after which the family will be notified.