US [updated 10:45GMT]: Senate shoots down auto rescue package
Hopes of a pre-Christmas rescue of Detroit's Big Three automakers - in particular General Motors and Chrysler which are fast running out of cash - faded last night after a Democrat-sponsored bill that passed the House of Representatives was torpedoed by Republicans in the Senate by 52 votes to 35 with 10 Republicans joining 40 Democrats and 2 independents in favour. Full story...