Stalemate in US continues

THE US government shutdown continues as the Senate appeared closer to ending a partisan stalemate late Sunday but fell short.

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell and Democratic leader Chuck Schumer said negotiations were under way, with a vote to break a Democratic filibuster on a short-term funding bill scheduled for yesterday.

Mr McConnell pledged on Sunday that the Senate would take up legislation on some Democratic priorities, including immigration, if they aren’t addressed by February 8.