The US military and the Red Cross has launched an investigation after photos were published in British and American newspapers of an imprisoned Saddam Hussein clad only in his underwear.

Private conversations with George W. Bush secretly taped by an old friend before he was elected president show some of his political strategies and appear to reveal that he acknowledged using marijuana, The New York Times reported yesterday.

The Bush administration broadened its response to the earthquake and tsunami disaster in South Asia and Africa with plans for Secretary of State Colin Powell to visit the region and assess what more the United States needs to do.

US aid to victims of the earthquake that sent deadly waves crashing onto shores in Asia and Africa has been doubled to $35m (€25.7m) and is likely to be much more in an international aid effort expected to run into the billions.

Four months after the September 11 commission urged drastic changes to protect the United States from another terror attack, Congress today neared final passage of far-reaching legislation overhauling the US intelligence network and instituting new border and aviation security safeguards.

The White House praised the Israeli parliament’s approval of removing settlements from Gaza and part of the West Bank as a step forward in peacemaking with the Palestinians.

Hurricane Frances swept across Florida today submerging entire roads, tearing off rooftops and leaving more than four million people without power.

President George W Bush suffered cuts and bruises when he fell while mountain biking on his ranch, White House spokesman Trent Duffy said.

Six US-bound flights from England, Scotland and France were cancelled yesterday because of security concerns.

A car penetrated the security perimeter around the arena where President George W Bush was speaking today and rammed the building.