We are living in age of threat: Bush

WASHINGTON: President Bush led a convention chorus of praise for John McCain Tuesday night, hailing him as a "ready to lead this nation" and a courageous candidate who risked his White House ambitions to support an unpopular Iraq war.

Republicans rallied behind vice presidential running mate Sarah Palin in the face of fresh controversy. McCain was in Pennsylvania and Ohio during the day, campaigning his way into the convention city where the 72-year-old Arizona senator will deliver his formal acceptance speech on Thursday night.Bush reprised the national security themes that propelled him to a second term as he spoke briefly from the White House. "We need a president who understands the lessons of Sept. 11, 2001," he said in prepared remarks. "That to protect America, we must stay on offense, stop attacks before they happen and not wait to be hit again. The man we need is John McCain."Inside the convention hall, former Tennessee Sen. Fred Thompson delivered a strong defense of Palin. He said the Alaska governor, was "from a small town, with small town values, but that's not good enough for those folks who are attacking her and her family."He said McCain's decision to place her on the ticket "has the other side and their friends in the media in a state of panic."

Driver statement recorded on PM motorcade firing :

ISLAMABAD: In connection with the ongoing investigation regarding firing on PM’s motorcade, the statement of the driver Pervez has been recorded.

According to the sources, driver Pervez said in his statement that he could not hear firing noise as the recitation of Holy Quran was on with full volume in car however the crack of bullet he noticed at once so he informed security officers who ordered him to keep driving at full speed. He said that after reaching Chaklala Air Base we analyzed the bullet crack on the side mirror and then the vehicle was brought at Prime Minister House, which was later analyzed by the security officials, his statement further added.

Zardari’s election as president to breathe in stability in bourses :

KARACHI: Co-chairman Pakistan People’s Party (PPP) Asif Ali Zardari’s election to the post of president will bring stability in the local bourses, said senior brokers.

Talking to Geo News senior brokers Aqeel Karim Dhedi, Naeem Rafi and Faisal Rajab Ali said Zardari’s elelction to the post of president of the country will bring short-term recovery in the market.

Rupee seen at history’s low today :

KARACHI: Rupee during the inter-bank trading today was seen touching its history’s lowest ebb at 77.40 to a dollar.

At the onset of inter-bank trading, dollar valued at Rs76.95 is being traded at Rs76.15, after having dipped to the history’s lowest at Rs77.40 during trading and fluctuating between Rs76.95 to Rs77.40.Dollar in the open market is selling at Rs77.20. Earlier, dollar against rupee had recorded its lowest at Rs77.10 on August 22.

Two Taliban commanders among 7 killed in Swat shelling :

MANGOORA: At least seven people including two Taliban commanders and two children have been killed in fresh shelling of the Security Forces here on Thursday.

Sources told that forces pounded shells on different areas on Thursday morning, causing death of two key Taliban commanders in Kozabandi area of Tehsil Kabbal.Two commanders were reportedly brothers named commander Younus and Zia-ur-Rehman. Meanwhile, bomb fell at the house of a person, Ilyas, which killed five persons including his wife and two children. Similarly, missile also fell at the house of former deputy nazim of union council, Siraj Khan which injured his mother and sister. They were immediately taken to Saidu Sharif hospital. Siraj Khan told Geo News that several houses were destroyed in shelling and added most of the houses were lying vacant.

US confirms raid inside Pakistan :

conducted a raid inside Pakistan on Wednesday, a senior U.S. military official said, in the first known foreign ground assault against a suspected Taliban haven.

Pakistan's government condemned the action, saying it killed at least 15 people. The American official, speaking in Washington on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of cross border operations, said the raid occurred about a mile inside Pakistan. The official didn’t provide details on casualties. Pakistan's Foreign Ministry protested the attack, and an army spokesman warned that the apparent escalation from recent missile strikes on militant targets along the Afghan border would further anger Pakistanis and undercut cooperation in the war against terrorist groups.

Knightley stars at Duchess launch :

Actress Keira Knightley has graced the red carpet in London's Leicester Square for the world premiere of her latest costume drama The Duchess.
Wearing a shoulderless cornflower blue dress, the 23-year-old was greeted by screams and camera flashes.
In the film, she plays Georgiana Spencer, an 18th Century noblewoman who embarks on a loveless marriage.
Knightley said she was pleased by the positive reviews: "It's much better than people saying you're awful."
"It was a very exciting character to play," she added.
"I think she was an incredible woman and the fact that the film's getting good reviews is obviously really exciting."
Asked whether she had had reservations about signing up for another period drama, Knightley said: "No, not really."
"I think you've just got to go with the script and whether the character's interesting," she told BBC entertainment correspondent Lizo Mzimba.

Country's 'Guitar Man' Reed dies :

Singer-turned-actor Jerry Reed, known as "The Guitar Man" of country music, has died aged 71.
Born in Atlanta, Georgia, Reed released more than 40 albums over a long career that started when he was just 18.
After scoring US hits like Amos Moses and When You're Hot, he broke into cinema in the 1970s, appearing in all three Smokey and the Bandit movies.
The star, who had quadruple bypass surgery in 1999, died on Monday of complications arising from emphysema.
He had recently been cared for in a hospice, Country Music Television in Nashville reported.

Crime 'damages' Mexico economy :

Mexico's finance minister has said that crime and violence have had a significant impact on the country's economy, cutting growth by 1%.
Agustin Carstens said the country's insecurity was stopping companies from investing and creating fewer jobs.
At least 2,700 people have been killed and 300 kidnapped in Mexico this year, mostly in drugs-related violence.
On Saturday, hundreds of thousands of people attended marches across Mexico to protest against rising crime rates.
The BBC's Warren Bull says that Mexicans are used to hearing about the impact of violent crime on their society, but now the government has said there is an economic consequence.

Troubled Thai PM 'will not quit' :

Thailand's beleaguered Prime Minister, Samak Sundaravej, has said he will not resign despite mounting pressure.
In a radio address to the nation, he said he would not bow to the demands of anti-government protesters.
On Tuesday Mr Samak imposed a state of emergency in Bangkok after his supporters and opponents clashed in the capital, leaving one person dead.
Protesters say the government is a front for Thaksin Shinawatra - the former prime minister, now in exile.
"I am not resigning," Mr Samak said, adding that he had a popular mandate to govern.

Palin takes battle to Democrats :

John McCain's running mate, Sarah Palin, has made a stinging attack on Democratic presidential runner Barack Obama at the US Republican convention.
Defending her small town roots, she attacked Mr Obama as having talked of change but done nothing of substance.
Mrs Palin praised the "determination, resolve and sheer guts" of Mr McCain and said she was honoured to help him.
Mr McCain made a surprise appearance on stage, with her family, saying: "Don't you think we made the right choice?"
The Arizona senator is being nominated as the party's presidential candidate in a roll call vote of state delegates.
Mrs Palin gave her much-anticipated address to a packed and enthusiastic convention floor in St Paul.