US Vice President taken to hospital

The US Vice President Dick Cheney was taken to George Washington Hospital in Washington today experiencing shortness of breath.

A hospital spokeswoman said that doctors determined he was retaining fluid because of medication he was taking because of a foot problem.

Cheney, who has a long history of heart problems and has a pacemaker in his chest, was placed on a diuretic. The spokeswoman said the Vice President was expected to be released from the hospital later today.

A foot ailment forced the 64-year-old Vice President to use a cane on Friday. Last September, Mr Cheney underwent surgery to repair aneurysms behind both knees.

He also has a lengthy history of heart problems. He has had four heart attacks, quadruple bypass surgery, two artery-clearing angioplasties and an operation to implant a special pacemaker in his chest.