US shutdown talks stall ahead of deadline

(FASTNEWS|COLOMBO) – Talks between congressional Republicans and Democrats aimed at averting another United States (US) Government shutdown have broken down without agreement.

The negotiators were hoping for a deal by Monday to give Congress time to pass legislation by Friday, when last month’s federal funding deal runs out.

The disagreement centres on President Donald Trump’s insistence on a bill that funds a US – Mexico border wall.

The previous shutdown, lasting 35-days, was the longest in US history.