Iran today accused US President George Bush of using Washington’s aid to earthquake victims as a clumsy attempt to create divisions in Iran and meddle in its affairs.

US PRESIDENT George W Bush’s spokesman Ari Fleischer yesterday announced he is resigning this summer to pursue more relaxing endeavours “after 21 years of doing nothing but government and politics”.

US TV news opted to be safe, not sorry, in covering the election results.

Republicans and Democrats battled for control of Congress today in mid-term US elections clouded by terrorism, the threat of war and a shaky economy, with voters marking ballots for governor from Maine to California.

President Bush is admired by more Americans than any man since the Gallup Poll began asking ‘‘What man do you admire most?’’ in 1948.