Bush starts baseball match in gesture of defiance
George W Bush has braved warnings of a terror attack to start a baseball game in front of more than 60,000 people.
The president stood in the centre of Yankee Stadium in New York without his Secret Service guards to throw out the first pitch of a World Series game.
His appearance, wearing a New York Fire Department jacket, came in spite of a warning terrorists are expected to strike the country within the week.
Vice-president Dick Cheney was taken to a secure location away from the White House as the Secret Service moved to make sure both men cannot be vulnerable at once.
The president's decision to go ahead with his public appearance came as security was tightened across the country after the FBI warning.
Attorney-general John Ashcroft issued the warning on Monday that there could be fresh terror attacks.
"The administration had concluded, based on information developed, that there may be additional terrorist attacks within the United States and against United States interests over the next week," he said.
"The administration views this information as credible but unfortunately it does not contain specific information as to the timing or target."
Precautions being taken across the country included heightened guards on water supplies, around nuclear power stations and at ports and airports.
There had been criticism that the alert was issued after a similar alert two weeks ago but Tom Ridge, director of homeland security, defended the move and said people had a right to know if there was a credible belief that more terrorism was planned.
In last night's game the Yankees beat the Arizona Diamondbacks 2-1. Arizona lead the best of seven series 2-1.
