Caroline Kennedy to run for Senate

Caroline Kennedy, the daughter of John F Kennedy, is to run for Hillary Clinton's New York Senate seat, according to the New York Times. Kennedy, who has spent much of her life since the death of her father avoiding the spotlight, was an active figure in Barack Obama's election campaign and served on his vice-presidential search committee.

New York Governor David Paterson confirmed that he had spoken to Kennedy, 51, the sole surviving child of the late John F Kennedy. Paterson, who has the sole power to pick Clinton's successor, said that Kennedy wanted to "talk to me about her qualifications for the post".

If selected Kennedy would occupy the seat held by her uncle Robert Kennedy until 1968 when, like her father, he was assassinated.