The US senate has narrowly rejected a controversial oil pipeline from Canada's tar sands to the United States, sparing President Barack Obama a difficult veto decision.
The 59-41 vote on the Keystone XL Pipeline fell one vote short of the 60-vote majority needed to pass the bill.
The pipeline has been a political hot-button issue for more than five years.
Environmentalists want the US administration to reject it and business leaders want it approved, saying it will boost jobs and support US energy independence.
Senate approval was needed to make the measure a law.
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The lower House of Representatives approved the pipeline last week.
