Kavanaugh accuser agrees to testify

WASHINGTON - The woman whose sexual assault allegation threatens to bring down US President Donald Trump's Supreme Court nominee has agreed to testify in the Senate, her lawyers said on Saturday, setting up a dramatic showdown next week. Christine Blasey Ford's decision followed days of negotiations and came after Trump turned against her and said her accusation could not be true.

After the Senate Judiciary Committee received a message from Ford's lawyers, several members confirmed she had accepted their committee's request to testify.

"Doctor Blasey Ford will testify next week. She has shown tremendous courage in the face of death threats and harassment and deserves respect as final details for the hearing are worked out," Democratic Senator Dianne Feinstein tweeted.