UN chief regrets ‘misrepresentations’ of his Mideast remarks

UNITED NATIONS, Oct 26 (NNN-AGENCIES) — United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres on Wednesday rejected the “misrepresentations” of his remarks a day earlier on Palestinian grievances that infuriated Israel, which has vowed to retaliate against the world body.

“I am shocked by misrepresentations by some of my statement yesterday in the Security Council — as if I was justifying acts of terror by Hamas,” Guterres told reporters, without naming Israel.

USA: Police took Army reservist suspected in Maine killings for evaluation after erratic behavior in July

LEWISTON, Maine (AP) — A U.S. Army reservist suspected of killing at least 18 people in Maine had been taken by police for an evaluation after military officials became concerned that he was acting erratically in mid-July, a U.S. official told The Associated Press.

The official said commanders in the Army Reserve’s 3rd Battalion, 304th Infantry Regiment became concerned in mid-July that Robert Card was acting erratically while the unit was training at the U.S. Military Academy at West Point in New York.

Iran’s supreme leader says US complicit in Israeli crimes against Gaza

TEHRAN, October 25. /TASS/: The supreme leader of Iran, Ali Khamenei, said the US is complicit in Israeli crimes against the Gaza Strip, Iran's Press TV reported.

"The US is no doubt an accomplice in the crimes of the Zionist regime (Israel - TASS) against the people of the Gaza Strip," the television channel quoted Khamenei as saying.

Trump’s remark outside court draws judge’s notice as Cohen returns to the stand in the fraud trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Cohen returned to the witness stand Wednesday in his ex-boss Donald Trump’s civil business fraud trial as the former president’s defense team tried to undermine the credibility and question the motives of his onetime personal attorney turned adversary.

Outside the courtroom, Trump’s commentary led the judge to weigh whether Trump had violated a limited gag order imposed earlier in the case.

Peaceful, cooperative U.S.-China relationship essential for world, says Kissinger

NEW YORK, Oct. 24 (Xinhua) -- "A peaceful relationship, a cooperative relationship between the U.S. and China is essential for peace and progress of the world," said former U.S. Secretary of State Dr. Henry A. Kissinger on Tuesday.

"I'm confident all of you here agree that peace and progress between China and the U.S. is in the self-interest of each country and of the world," said Kissinger in his speech after being honored at the annual Gala Dinner of The National Committee on U.S.-China Relations (NCUSCR) in New York City.

USA: Republicans are facing death threats as the election for speaker gets mired in personal feuds

WASHINGTON (AP) — It was the thing that was supposed to make Rep. Jim Jordan the 56th speaker of the House.

An onslaught of pressure from the Republican Party base, allies predicted, would compel the GOP’s moderate and establishment members to support Jordan, a hero of the far-right, and help him secure the votes for the gavel.

The US is sharing hard lessons from urban combat in Iraq and Syria as Israel prepares to invade Gaza

WASHINGTON (AP) — The prospect of Israeli forces launching an assault into Gaza’s dense urban neighborhoods, where militants use civilians as human shields, brings back searing memories of the deadly battles the U.S.-led coalition fought against the Islamic State group in Iraq and Syria.

For U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin and his military leaders, that intense combat and the thousands of civilians killed in airstrikes and neighborhood gunfights in Mosul and Raqqa are lessons to be shared as Israel prepares for a possible ground invasion against Hamas.

USA: Scientists identify molten layer deep within interior of Mars

WASHINGTON, Oct 25 (Reuters) - Seismic waves generated by a meteorite impact on the other side of Mars from where NASA's InSight lander sits have provided new clues about the Red Planet's deep interior, prompting scientists to reappraise the anatomy of Earth's planetary neighbor.

The new seismic data indicates the presence of a hitherto unknown layer of molten rock surrounding a liquid metallic core - the planet's innermost component - that is smaller and denser than previously estimated, researchers said on Wednesday.

USA: Senate panel OKs Lew to be ambassador to Israel, and a final confirmation vote could come next week

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate Foreign Relations Committee has approved Jacob Lew to be ambassador to Israel, moving quickly to get him in place during the country’s new war with Hamas.

The panel voted 12-9 on Wednesday to move Lew’s nomination to the Senate floor for a final vote, which could come as soon as next week. All Republicans on the panel except Kentucky Sen. Rand Paul voted against him.

USA: Donald Trump’s lawyers question Michael Cohen in the former president’s civil business fraud trial

NEW YORK (AP) — Michael Cohen returned to the witness stand Wednesday in his ex-boss Donald Trump’s civil business fraud trial as the former president’s defense team tried to undermine the credibility and question the motives of his onetime personal attorney turned adversary.

With Trump in court, his lawyer Alina Habba confronted Cohen with comments he had made on social media, in interviews and during congressional testimony praising Trump, before turning on him, when Cohen’s legal problems started in 2018.

Albanese arrives at White House to start day of meetings and celebrations of alliance with US

WASHINGTON (AP) — U.S. President Joe Biden said he was “doubling down” on the alliance with Australia as he welcomed Prime Minister Anthony Albanese to the Oval Office on Wednesday, part of a state visit intended to bolster American ties in the Pacific against the backdrop of fighting between Israel and Hamas.

Biden said the leaders would discuss supporting Ukraine, where the Russian invasion of Ukraine continues after almost two years, and how to “stand with Israel in the wake of Hamas’ appalling terrorist attack.”

USA: The House is voting on whether to name Republican Rep. Mike Johnson as speaker

WASHINGTON (AP) — Anxious Republicans prepared to vote once more Wednesday, hopeful of electing Rep. Mike Johnson as their House speaker to unite their fractious majority and end weeks of chaos by elevating a little-known conservative to one of the highest seats of U.S. power.

Subscribe to