Portugal was expected to declare a state of public emergency today as nearly 3,000 firefighters struggled to contain more than 70 wildfires that have raged across the country and killed nine people.

SADDAM HUSSEIN last night warned if Iraq were attacked, it would take the war anywhere in the world "wherever there is sky, land or water".

Portugal tonight finally opened a 150 mile motorway from Lisbon to the Algarve, 36 years after work began.