Alberta has declared a state of emergency as crews battle to hold back wildfires that have destroyed 1,600 homes and buildings in Canada’s main oil sands city of Fort McMurray, forcing more than 80,000 people to flee.

The Northern Ireland Fire and Rescue Service has been provided with new vehicles and equipment which, in the aftermath of 9/11 and the London bombings, will enable them to deal with a major terrorist attack.

The Northern Ireland public was urged today to rally round their firefighters after an attack on a crew in west Belfast left a fireman with neck and head injuries.

The Bermudan government warned today that Hurricane Fabian could be the worst to hit the British territory for 15 years.