Hurricane Igor barrelled north-eastwards toward Canada early today, leaving behind power cuts, grounded boats and downed trees in Bermuda and kicking up dangerous surf on the US Atlantic coast.

Oil giant BP today signalled it would press on with a controversial Canadian tar sands project despite facing a showdown with environmental campaigners and shareholders.

Oil giant BP faces a showdown with environmental campaigners over controversial Canadian oil sand projects when it holds its annual shareholder meeting today.