A diver forgotten at sea by a boat crew in the US drifted for five hours and prayed for his life before a sharp-eyed boy scout on an ancient excursion ship spotted him and organised a rescue.

Security agencies in the US capital are on alert to a potential terrorist attack after a man video-taped the Washington Monument, Pentagon and other buildings, it was reported today.

The FBI has alerted law enforcement agencies in eight western states that it has unconfirmed information that terrorists may be targeting suspension bridges on the west coast.