Is there any chance of averting a U.S. federal government shutdown?

A bitter fight erupted in the U.S. Senate as it now holds the power to avoid a governmental shutdown by midnight tonight. Late yesterday, the House passed a measure to provide government funding for another month, which would give lawmakers more time to hammer out a final deal. Now it needs the Senate’s approval – but that is proving quite difficult.

• U.S. govt on verge of shutdown with Senate bill poised to fail ahead of midnight deadline