Disunity might cloud Democrat convention

By STEVEN R. HURST

Washington

Aug. 8: A cloud of disunity hangs over preparations for the Democratic party’s national convention later in August as Barack Obama’s vanquished primary opponent Hillary Rodham Clinton has not ruled out having her name put in nomination for a roll call vote, a potentially major distraction leading into the final campaign stretch against Republican John McCain.

Mr Obama and Ms Clinton battled, sometimes bitterly, through state primary and caucus contests until early June. —AP

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Rice says US will be safer under Obama

Washington, Aug. 8: In what could be described as a surprising move, US secretary of state Condoleezza Rice has said that her country would be "safer" under Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama.

Ms Rice is the top official in the current regime of George W. Bush, a Republican.

She also ruled herself being appointed as the country’s vice-president either Mr Obama or Republican presidential candidate Mr John McCain.

Asked if she would feel secure with a President Obama, she said: "Oh, the US will be fine. I think that we are having an important debate about how we keep the country safe. Those are important judgements for the American people to make," reported the Daily Times. —ANI