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| Version 2 | Version 3 |
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| Senator Edward Kennedy, 77, dies | Senator Edward Kennedy, 77, dies |
| (20 minutes later) | |
| Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of ex-President John F Kennedy, has died at the age of 77 after battling a brain tumour. | Veteran US Senator Edward Kennedy, the brother of ex-President John F Kennedy, has died at the age of 77 after battling a brain tumour. |
| The Democratic Massachusetts senator was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May last year. | The Democratic Massachusetts senator was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumour in May last year. |
| He became a member of the Senate in 1962 to replace his brother when he resigned to become president, and was re-elected seven times. | He became a member of the Senate in 1962 to replace his brother when he resigned to become president, and was re-elected seven times. |
| He has been an active supporter of current President Barack Obama. | He has been an active supporter of current President Barack Obama. |
| Correspondents say Senator Kennedy - universally known as "Teddy" - has been a dominant force in liberal American politics for almost half a century, especially on issues like healthcare and education. | |
| The BBC's Richard Lister in Washington says he will be remembered as one of the most effective and popular legislators in American history. | |
| Senate Majority leader Harry Reid said the Kennedy family and the Senate had "together lost our patriarch". | |
| 'Joyous light' | |
| The Kennedy family announced his death in a brief statement in the early hours of Wednesday. | The Kennedy family announced his death in a brief statement in the early hours of Wednesday. |
| "Edward M. Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port (Massachusetts)," the statement said. | "Edward M. Kennedy, the husband, father, grandfather, brother and uncle we loved so deeply, died late Tuesday night at home in Hyannis Port (Massachusetts)," the statement said. |
| "We've lost the irreplaceable centre of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever." | "We've lost the irreplaceable centre of our family and joyous light in our lives, but the inspiration of his faith, optimism, and perseverance will live on in our hearts forever." |
| Edward Kennedy was the only one of four brothers to die a natural death. | Edward Kennedy was the only one of four brothers to die a natural death. |
| Obituary: Edward Kennedy | |
| His brother Joseph was killed in an air crash in World War II, and both President John F Kennedy and presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy were assassinated. | His brother Joseph was killed in an air crash in World War II, and both President John F Kennedy and presidential hopeful Robert F Kennedy were assassinated. |
| He was widely expected to be the next Kennedy in the White House, but he was never able to fully overcome the scandal caused in 1969, when he drove a car off a bridge at Chappaquiddick near his home, killing his female passenger. | |
| The incident helped derail his only presidential bid, more than a decade later. | |
| But he remained active in politics right up until his death, famously endorsing Barack Obama for the Democratic nomination during a tight race with Hillary Clinton last year. | |
| Last week, he asked the Massachusetts governor to change state law to allow a speedy succession when his Senate seat became vacant. | |
| Analysts suggest that Senator Kennedy feared a lengthy gap could deny Democrats a crucial vote on Mr Obama's flagship health reform. |