The US government has begun a federal shutdown after the Senate failed to agree on a new budget. It was unclear which way the vote would go as the midnight deadline approached, with Republicans and Democrats split on key issues. Despite last minute bipartisan meetings, the bill to fund the government until 16 February did not receive the required 60 votes. It means many government services will close down until a budget is agreed. It is the first shutdown in US history to happen while the same party controls both chambers of Congress and the White House. The last US shutdown happened in 2013 and lasted for 16 days, ... (full story)