Hurricane Irene

Federer, Sharapova in action today as US Open starts on schedule

US Tennis Association officials said they were communicating with city officials regarding mass transit and road conditions, but would be starting the year's last Grand Slam tournament as scheduled.

Many Americans still at risk: Obama

Irene: Toll rises to 18 in US, say officials

The death toll in the United States from Hurricane Irene has risen to 18, with four new fatalities reported in the state of Pennsylvania, US officials have said.

Hurricane Irene hits US, tens of thousands forced out of homes

Forecasters say heavy winds and rains are lashing North Carolina coast and that Irene has already weakened and will lose force further on landfall.

In a first, US transit system stalls, evacuation under way

In preparations to brave Hurricane Irene, New York authorities evacuated a quarter of a million residents and ordered complete shut down of the mass transit system.

Hurricane Irene builds, four states come under emergency

Obama's action authorises the Department of Homeland Security, Federal Emergency Management Agency, to coordinate all disaster relief efforts which have the purpose of alleviating the hardships and suffering caused by the emergency.

Emegency declared in New York as Hurricane Irene closes in