US Senate blocks repeal of gay military law

Republicans blocked a last-ditch effort in the US Senate to lift the military's ban on openly gay troops, rejecting another project pushed vigorously by President Barack Obama.

The 57-40 vote on Thursday fell three short of the 60 needed in the 100-member chamber to overcome procedural hurdles to lift the "don't ask, don't tell" policy that replaced in 1993 an outright ban on gays in the US military. (AP)