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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 ...

Security personnel inspect wreckage after an explosion at a railway station in Quetta, in Pakistan's Balochistan province. Photo: BANARAS KHAN / AFP At least 24 people have been killed and more than 40 injured in a bomb blast at a railway station in Quetta in southwestern Pakistan, officials say. Pakistan is grappling with a surge in strikes by separatist ethnic militants in Balochistan province in the south and Islamist militants in its northwest. A decades-old insurgency has destabilised Balochistan and created security concerns for projects trying to access the province's untapped resources. Inspector general of police for Balochistan, Mouzzam Jah Ansari, said 24 people have died so far on Saturday from the blast at the railway station, which is usually busy early in the day. "The ta...