US gay presidential aspirant withdraws from race

The former Indiana mayor Pete Buttigieg who made an ambitious run for president, has announced he is ending his campaign for the White House.

The 38-year-old became the first openly gay presidential candidate from a major party when he announced he was running for the democratic nomination.

But despite a successful start, his campaign lost momentum in recent weeks.

His decision to drop out comes ahead of a key day on Tuesday in the democratic race to take on Trump.

Fourteen states will vote on Super Tuesday, by the end of which staunch left-winger Bernie Sanders could have an unbeatable lead and be a step closer to the nomination.