Edward Kennedy rushed to hospital

Senator Edward Kennedy is known as a staunch liberal

US Democratic Senator Edward Kennedy has been rushed to hospital suffering stroke-like symptoms.
Senator Kennedy, 76, was taken by ambulance to hospital in Cape Cod, Massachusetts, and then by helicopter to Boston, the Cape Cod Times reported.

Mr Kennedy, brother of ex-US President John F Kennedy, is one of the most prominent members of the Democratic Party and a leading reform campaigner.

He has endorsed Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination for US president.

His illness came as the Kennedy family prepared to host a major charity event at their estate in Hyannisport, Massachusetts.
It includes a music concert, scheduled for Saturday night.

Mr Kennedy is the second longest-serving member of the Senate.

He was first elected senator for Massachusetts in November 1962 - shortly after turning the requisite 30 years of age - to replace his brother, who had been elected president in 1960.

Since then he has been re-elected seven times.