Australian senators deadlocked on asylum seekers

Senators were locked in an emotional debate Thursday over whether Australia should turn away asylum seekers to discourage them from attempting long and dangerous ocean journeys in rickety boats.

The legislation scraped through the House of Representatives late Wednesday by 74 votes to 72 after six hours of passionate debate, amplified by two recent deadly accidents involving boats filled with Australia-bound migrants. But senators were poised to reject it because some members of the ruling coalition were joining forces with the opposition. (AP)