US CRUDE oil futures ended more than a dollar higher yesterday as analysts warned the death of Iraq’s al-Qaida leader Musab al-Zarqawi on Thursday would not end threats to Iraq’s battered oil industry.

Hurricane Wilma inched toward Florida today as winds and rain continued to whip Mexico's devastated Caribbean coast.

TROPICAL storm Katrina strengthened into a hurricane yesterday and deluged Florida’s densely populated south-east coast with rain, heightening fears of flooding.

Worries over two tropical storms have caused oil prices in Asia to climb higher in trading overnight.

More than 1.2 million people in metropolitan New Orleans were warned to get out as 140-mph Hurricane Ivan churned toward the Gulf Coast, threatening to submerge the below-sea-level city in what could be the most disastrous storm to hit in nearly 40 years.

Tropical Storm Odette crept over the Dominican Republic and out to the open Atlantic today after unleashing torrential rains that prompted thousands to flee their homes and left at least two dead.

RESIDENTS in Bermuda battened down and cruise ships scrambled out to sea yesterday as powerful Hurricane Fabian headed toward the mid-Atlantic island with 120mph winds.

Hurricane Iris strengthened into the Atlantic’s most powerful hurricane of the year as it advanced across the Caribbean toward Central America tonight bringing winds of up to 140 mph.