BOSTON GLOBE: Senate Republicans dealt a stinging setback yesterday to efforts to repeal the military’s “don’t ask, don’t tell’’ policy for gay soldiers, defeating attempts by Democratic leaders to take up a major military bill that includes the issue. Democrats fell four votes shy of the 60 votes needed to break a GOP filibuster — which included Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts — that prevented consideration of the overall bill. MORE
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THE TELEGRAPH: Sixty votes were needed for debate to begin on the bill authorising repeal of the policy known as “don’t ask, don’t tell”. Just 56 senators 
voted yes and 43 no, but the measure will probably have another chance this year. Since 1993, homosexuals have been allowed to serve in the US military as long as they hide their sexual orientation. They are expelled if it becomes known. Polls have said most Americans support lifting the ban, and repealing it was one of Mr Obama’s promises in his 2008 campaign. Mr Obama’s Democrats in Congress wanted to scrap the “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy before November congressional elections in which Republicans are expected to make big gains, possibly making it more difficult to repeal the ban. The House has already voted to change the law. Advocates of the change are expected to try again in the Senate during the “lame-duck” session of Congress that is expected to follow the elections. The White House said it supported another attempt. MORE