The storm-shortened Republican National Convention which begins in earnest today will be a three-day coronation of Mitt Romney as the party’s rival to President Barack Obama.

The US National Hurricane Center has issued a warning for the northern Gulf of Mexico coast.

The massive effort to clean up the Gulf of Mexico oil spill must be scaled back now, BP's new chief executive officer said today.

Thousands fled as the outer edge of Hurricane Emily lashed coastal areas around the Texas-Mexico border and its already powerful centre continued to strengthen just offshore.