Democrats strengthened their majorities in both houses of Congress, assuring president-elect Barack Obama a stronger hand in enacting his agenda of change.

President George Bush threatened to veto legislation setting a date for a troop withdrawal from Iraq, despite growing bipartisan calls in Congress for an end to US participation in the war and sharp criticism of the Iraqi government.

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