Trump says ‘hard’ to Imagine Kavanaugh did Wrong

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Latest on Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh and the woman who accuses him of sexually assaulting her decades ago (all times local): 10:05 a.m. President Donald Trump says “we’ll have to make a decision” if Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh’s sexual-assault accuser “makes a credible showing” before the Senate Judiciary Committee.…

Ford: FBI Should Investigate Kavanaugh Claim Before Hearing

By ALAN FRAM and LISA MASCARO ,  WASHINGTON (AP) — Christine Blasey Ford wants the FBI to investigate her allegation that she was sexually assaulted by Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh before she testifies at a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing next week, her lawyers said in a letter to the panel. The lawyers wrote that Ford,…

Trump Feels ‘Terribly’ For Kavanaugh; Dems Want FBI Probe

By ALAN FRAM and LISA MASCARO , Associated Press WASHINGTON (AP) — President Donald Trump showered sympathy Tuesday on Brett Kavanaugh, his embattled Supreme Court nominee who is accused of sexual assault, as Senate Republicans and Democrats fought determinedly over who should testify at a high-stakes hearing on the allegation just six weeks before major…

Putin Seeks to Defuse Downing of Russian Plane Off Syria

MOSCOW (AP) — A Russian reconnaissance aircraft was shot down by Syrian forces responding to an Israeli airstrike, killing all 15 people aboard, in what President Vladimir Putin said Tuesday was “a chain of tragic accidental circumstances.” The downing of the Il-20 highlighted the dangers posed by the conflicting interests of various powers in the…