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Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi pictured here entering the European Union building in Geneva in December 2014. Photo: AFP / Fabrice Coffrini Iran's Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi denied US charges that Tehran was linked to an alleged plot to kill Donald Trump and called on Saturday (local time) for confidence-building between the two hostile countries. "Now ... a new scenario is fabricated ... as a killer does not exist in reality, scriptwriters are brought in to manufacture a third-rate comedy," Araqchi said in a post on X. He was referring to the alleged plot which Washington said was ordered by Iran's elite Revolutionary Guards to assassinate Trump, who won Tuesday's (local time) presidential election and takes office in January. "The American people have made their decision. ...

Josep Borrell, right, examines destroyed Russian military equipment in Kyiv. Photo: AFP / Sergei Supinsky EU foreign policy chief Josep Borrell sought to reassure Ukraine of Europe's unwavering support on Saturday, days after Donald Trump's election win cast uncertainty over its war effort. Borrell, the first top EU official to visit Kyiv since Trump's win, said that the purpose of his visit was to stress EU support for Ukraine, as its war with Russia nears 1000 days. The European Union has already provided 122 billion euros (NZ$219 billion) in military and financial support to Ukraine and trained about 60,000 Ukrainian soldiers, said Borrell, adding that the bloc aimed to reach 75,000 by the end of the winter. "This support remains unwavering. This support is absolutely needed for you ...

By Andrew Mills, Reuters The aftermath of an Israeli airstrike on a camp in Gaza. Photo: AFP / Saeed Jaras Qatar will stop trying to mediate a Gaza ceasefire deal until Hamas and Israel show a "sincere willingness" to return to the negotiating table, an official briefed on the matter told Reuters on Saturday, in the biggest setback to efforts to reach a truce since the war began. The Gulf country has also concluded that Hamas' political office in Doha "no longer serves its purpose", the official added, in a blow to the Palestinian militant group whose top leaders have been assassinated by Israel. Qatar, alongside the United States and Egypt, has played a major role in rounds of so-far fruitless talks to broker a ceasefire to the year-long war in Gaza. The latest round of talks in mid...

By Kanishka Singh, Reuters Photo: AFP / Jessica McGowan Bomb threats led to evacuations in Maryland, California Officials to resume counting ballots on Saturday (local time) Everyone determined to be safe after threats Bomb threats were made against several Maryland boards of elections and election offices in at least two California counties on Friday, state authorities said, adding that everyone was safe and law enforcement officials were investigating. Election officials were counting mail-in ballots when the threats came in Maryland. State Administrator of Elections Jared DeMarinis said the threats led to the evacuation of some buildings. He called the threats "cowardly", adding that local officials would resume counting on Saturday (local time). "Safety is a top concern - but ...