US Domestic News Roundup: Las Vegas mass shooting, Kavanaugh FBI probe

One year later, Las Vegas honours 58 killed in a mass shooting

As white doves flew overhead - each tagged with a name of one of the 58 people killed a year ago on Monday when a sniper opened fire in Las Vegas - loved ones gathered at sunrise to remember victims of the largest mass shooting in modern American history. Governor Brian Sandoval commended his state for its struggle to heal and recover at the commemoration ceremony held at an outdoor amphitheatre.

U.S. Supreme Court snubs review of a defamation suit against Cosby

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday rejected Bill Cosby's bid to avoid a defamation lawsuit brought by a well-known former model who said the comedian sought to destroy her reputation after she publicly accused him of rape. The justices, acting six days after Cosby was sentenced to three to 10 years in prison in Pennsylvania for a 2004 sexual assault involving another woman, declined to hear his appeal of a lower court ruling allowing the lawsuit brought by Janice Dickinson in state court in California to proceed.

Microsoft co-founder Paul Allen treated again for cancer

Microsoft Corp co-founder Paul Allen said on Monday he had started treatment for non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, the same type of cancer he overcame nine years ago. In a brief statement, Allen said he learned recently that cancer had returned and said he planned "on fighting this aggressively" while staying involved in his philanthropic and business dealings.

Eclipsed by Kavanaugh fight, divided U.S. top court opens a new term

The short-handed U.S. Supreme Court launched its new term on Monday, with the legal arguments in its stately courtroom overshadowed by the harsh fight over President Donald Trump's nomination of Brett Kavanaugh for a lifetime job as a justice. On the surface, it looked like business as usual for the high court, except that there were eight justices on the bench, not the usual nine, following the retirement of long-serving conservative Justice Anthony Kennedy, effective in July. Trump selected Kavanaugh to replace Kennedy, but the Senate confirmation process has been detoured as the FBI investigates sexual misconduct allegations against the nominee.

Trump says FBI has free rein on interviews in Kavanaugh probe

President Donald Trump said on Monday he has given the FBI free rein to interview any witnesses it deems necessary for a comprehensive investigation of sexual misconduct allegations against Brett Kavanaugh, his U.S. Supreme Court nominee. But Trump, speaking three days after he ordered an investigation lasting no more than a week, said he does not want the probe to become a "witch hunt" and he wants it completed quickly.

Whereabouts of more than 1,200 Missouri sex offenders unknown: auditor

Local authorities in Missouri do not know the locations of more than 1,200 sex offenders, including nearly 800 who would be classified as the most dangerous, according to a report by the state auditor released on Monday. Missouri law requires those convicted or found guilty of sexual offences to register their name, address and other information with local law enforcement, the auditor's office said. The information is made public through a database and website maintained by the Missouri State Highway Patrol.

New U.S. FAA rules on aeroplane seat size may not create more leg room

A bill that will regulate minimum seat size on U.S. passenger aeroplanes for the first time is unlikely to lead to more leg or elbow room for cramped flyers, airline consultants said. The U.S. Senate is taking up on Monday the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) reauthorization bill, which funds the agency for five years and sets other travel measures. Final passage is expected on Tuesday or Wednesday.

Nevada woman sues soccer star Ronaldo for alleged sexual assault

A Nevada woman has sued Cristiano Ronaldo and is participating in a police investigation of the global soccer star for an alleged rape at a Las Vegas hotel in 2009, according to a complaint filed by her lawyer. Lawyers for Ronaldo, one of the world's best-known athletes, on Friday threatened to sue a German magazine that published the accusation.

Trump says close to finalizing an effective ban on gun bump stocks

U.S. President Donald Trump on Monday said his administration was just a few weeks away from finalizing a regulation that would ban bump stocks, devices that allow semi-automatic weapons to fire like a machine gun. "We're knocking out bump stocks," he said at a White House news conference. "We're in the final two or three weeks, and I'll be able to write out bump stocks."

The U.S. sues after California governor signs 'net neutrality' law

The U.S. Justice Department late on Sunday filed suit after California Governor Jerry Brown signed legislation to restore open internet protections known as net neutrality in the state after the Trump administration repealed the rules in December 2017. This marked the latest clash between the Trump administration and California, which have sparred over environmental, immigration and other hot-button issues.

(With inputs from Reuters)