SOON, the deep red and purple hues of rhododendron will light up the summer landscape but the beauty of the plant conceals the fact that it has become a pest in many areas and literally stifles the life out of other growing things.

HURRICANE Ivan extended its deadly march across the Southern United States yesterday, destroying homes, swamping streets and leaving hundreds of thousands of people without power from the Gulf Coast to the Carolinas.

Hurricane Ivan struck the Alabama coast today with 130 mph winds spawning tornadoes and torrential rain, sending floodwaters surging over roads and swirling around homes. Power was knocked out to 200,000 people.