Biden, Harris to Visit Southeast; Latest on Israel-Iran; NYC Mayor Back in Court

President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris are set to tour areas devastated by Hurricane Helene. Biden will visit both North and South Carolina, starting out in Greenville for an aerial survey of storm damage, then to Raleigh for a briefing, and he will later take a tour of Asheville. Harris will visit Georgia. Former President Donald Trump visited the state on Monday. Federal efforts are focused on restoring power, clearing debris, and repairing communication networks in impacted states.

Iran's supreme leader made his first appearance on Wednesday since Iran’s attack on Israel. He did not directly talk about the strikes, but blamed Israel for the fighting in the Middle East. He also criticized the United States and some European countries. Meanwhile, Israel said it is continuing its ground operation in southern Lebanon. Israel's foreign ministry banned U.N. Secretary-General Antonio Guterres from entering the country. Guterres issued a brief statement on Tuesday referencing the latest escalation in the Middle East but he didn't call out Iran for the attack. Israel said anyone who can't unequivocally condemn Iran's attack doesn't deserve to set foot on Israeli soil.

New York City Mayor Eric Adams was back in court on Wednesday, this time for a status conference, after his federal indictment last week. District Judge Dale Ho is set to oversee his criminal trial on corruption charges. Adams pleaded not guilty to the federal charges last week.