Wealthy people simply cannot understand why their business affairs should be put under the microscope, even when the conduct of those affairs impinges to a great degree on the public interest, writes Kyran Fitzgerald.

Oil prices fell to their lowest level in four months today as the threat from a weaker-than-expected Hurricane Gustav faded.

World leaders and terrorism experts described the killing of Abu Musab al-Zarqawi as a blow to al-Qaida, but warned that his network of lieutenants would step up to carry on his campaign of death and destruction in Iraq.