*** Obama vetoes $612 bn defense bill | THE DAILY TRIBUNE | KINGDOM OF BAHRAIN

Obama vetoes $612 bn defense bill

US President Barack Obama vetoed a $612 billion defense spending bill Thursday, saying it resorted to budget "gimmicks," wastes money on unwanted programs and prevents the closure of Guantanamo Bay prison.

 Obama said the text agreed by the Republican-controlled Congress "falls woefully short" in key areas, as he made a rare public show of vetoing a law.