McCain picks woman as his running mate

• US Republican presidential candidate John McCain has chosen Alaska Governor Sarah Palin as his vice presidential running mate.
• Ms Palin, 44, surprise pick but one aimed at appealing to women voters.

There was speculation about other possible candidates on morning US television, including Alaska Governor Sarah Palin. She surfaced as a result of a Fox report that said a private jet from Alaska landed at an airport about 25 miles from Dayton.

The McCain campaign refused to say who the Arizona senator had selected to join him in his campaign.

He and his campaign have worked hard to remain in the public eye during the Democratic convention.

As Mr Obama prepared to deliver a speech at a Denver football stadium accepting his party’s nomination, Mr McCain issued a television ad congratulating him.

“Senator Obama, this is truly a good day for America,” McCain said in the ad. “Too often the achievements of our opponents go unnoticed. So I wanted to stop and say, congratulations.”

He added: “Tomorrow, we’ll be back at it. But tonight, Senator, job well done.”