Ryan is chairman of the House Budget Committee and is author of the budget plan that would transform government programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid. Speaking this morning, Ryan said he and Mitt Romney won't be afraid to make tough choices.

 

“President Obama and too many like him in Washington have refused to make difficult decisions because they are more worried about their next election than they are about the next generation.”

 

Conservatives had been urging Romney to pick Ryan, and Democrats seemed delighted too when calling the Romney-Ryan ticket “a frightening prospect” for the middle class and anyone who might one day need Medicare or Social Security. Brian Naylor, NPR News, Washington. 

 

Romney and Ryan continue to campaign in Virginia believed to be a swing state. Larry Sabato was at the University of Virginia, where he’s director of the Center for Politics. He says picking Ryan is a way to rally the Republican base.

 

“It's really a question of which side is more enthused, which side turns out more voters. They are hoping that the Ryan choice will excite the conservative base which has never been all that keen on Mitt Romney.”

 

Obama campaign manager Jim Messina issued a statement that Ryan shares Romney's commitment to a flawed theory that tax cuts for the wealthy and placing greater burdens on the middle class will somehow deliver a stronger economy. 

 

Two powerful earthquakes struck northwestern Iran today. State television reports at least 153 people were killed and at least 700 people were injured. The quakes measured 6.4 and 6.3. They left much of the city of Tabriz without electricity.

 

The two earthquakes came within minutes of each other, according to seismology experts at Tehran University. There were reports of people in the northwestern city of Tabriz rushing into the streets in panic. Most of the casualties are thought to be in outlying villages, but all links to the area are said to have been cut. That's making it difficult for the Iranian authorities to assess the scale of the injuries and the damage. Dozens of rescue workers have been sent to the region, but the onset of darkness has also hampered relief efforts. 

 

The BBC's Peter Biles reporting.

 

Afghan officials say an Afghan police officer started firing on his fellow officers at a checkpoint in a remote area of Afghanistan today. They say at least ten officers were killed before the shooter was taken down. The incident comes a day after two separate attacks by Afghans against NATO forces in Helmand province that killed six Americans. 

 

You’re listening to NPR News from Washington.

 

Civil defense officials in the Philippines now say more than 2.5 million people are affected by flooding in the capital Manila. Torrential monsoon rains have brought the worst mudslides and floods in three years. At least 66 people have died. Hundreds of thousands were forced from their homes and sought shelter in evacuation centers. Authorities say they’ve planned to mobilize thousands of workers to clean up the mud and debris. 

 

At the Olympics in London today, Mexico picked up its first gold medal ever. Its men soccer team defeated Brazil. NPR's Mike Pesca reports.

 

Twenty-eight seconds, that's all it took for Mexico to notch a goal in the first Olympic soccer final between two Latin American countries since 1928. Brazilian back Rafael harried by a Mexican player forced a weak pass which was picked off by Javier Aquino, who quickly passed onto Oribe Peralta for the quickest goal in Olympic soccer final's history. In the second half, Peralta added another goal of a quarter kick, in which most of the Brazilian defense appeared to be motionless. The Brazilian forward Hulk scored late to make it interesting, but that tally could not overcome his team's general sloppiness. The Mexicans have achieved the greatest soccer victory in their country's victory. Mike Pesca, NPR News, London.

 

The Olympics are providing a political boost to Boris Johnson, the mayor of London. A survey out today says nearly three-quarters of Britons think he should become prime minister because of his success in hosting the games. Johnson has vigorously denied he has any interest in seeking the top job. He has said that he has as much chance of becoming prime minister as finding Elvis or being decapitated by a Frisbee .