AFP - Democrats in Congress put off a vote on a bailout for crisis-hit "Big Three" auto makers until at least December, and ordered industry chiefs to come up with a new restructuring plan.

AP - Democrats steered the House toward more aggressively tackling global warming and other environmental problems Thursday, toppling veteran Michigan Rep. John Dingell, a staunch supporter of Detroit automakers, from an important energy panel in favor of California liberal Rep. Henry Waxman.

AP - The $25 billion rescue plan for the auto industry, desperately sought by Detroit's beleaguered Big Three, collapsed Thursday as Congress drew the line at one more bailout and Democrats said they wouldn't even consider it until the companies produced a convincing plan for rebuilding their once-mighty industry.

AFP - Democrats in Congress Thursday put off a vote on a bailout for crisis-hit "Big Three" auto makers off until at least December, and told industry chiefs to come up with a new rescue pitch.

AP - Democratic leaders in Congress decided Thursday to delay a vote to bail out automakers until December, according to officials, and will first demand the Big 3 companies show how the funds would transform their beleaguered industry.

AFP - Top Senate Democrats on Thursday said they would introduce major global warming legislation early next year, saying Barack Obama's election meant a "sea change" in the battle against climate change.

AP - Arizona Gov. Janet Napolitano, an early Barack Obama supporter from the southwestern part of the country, is a leading contender for the job of secretary of homeland security, Democratic officials said Thursday.

AP - With the Bush administration on the verge of relaxing regulations protecting endangered species, Democratic leaders are looking at ways to overturn any last-minute rule changes.

AP - House Democrats are deciding a bruising intraparty battle on whether to topple veteran Rep. John Dingell as chairman of the committee with oversight of energy and global warming and replace him with liberal Rep. Henry Waxman.

AP - Rep. Henry Waxman of California has been selected by a key Democratic leadership panel to replace veteran Chairman John Dingell to head a crucial House committee with jurisdiction over energy, global warming and many other issues like health care.

AP - Top Senate Democrats suggested Wednesday that a bill to rescue Detroit's Big Three automakers was stalled and challenged the Bush administration to take steps to save the industry if congressional efforts falter. The White House quickly rebuffed the suggestion.

Reuters - Congolese Tutsi rebels were pulling back south "in the hundreds" from frontline positions in North Kivu province in a gesture to support a United Nations peace initiative, a U.N. military spokesman said on Wednesday.

Politico - The Democratic pursuit of 60 Senate seats received new life Tuesday night after Alaska Democrat Mark Begich was declared the winner against Ted Stevens, the longest-serving Republican in the Senate.

AP - The election of Barack Obama has delivered a decisive victory to "fair traders," mainly Democrats and their allies who for years have contended that the free-trade policies of past administrations were recipes for American job losses and environmental degradation.