European Union banks face their toughest probe yet in a bid to weed out the sector’s weaklings, the bloc’s chief watchdog said yesterday, announcing stress tests intended to help draw a line under the financial crisis.

A raging forest fire that has burnt thousands of acres of woodland on Spain’s Gran Canaria island forced the evacuation of more than 2,000 people today, including several dozen tourists, authorities said.

Leeds’ fearsome strike partnership of Mark Viduka and Alan Smith have today been described as "awesome" as Deportivo La Coruna look to tame the deadly duo.