A government shutdown has begun in the US after Congress failed to pass a measure that would have kept federal funds flowing.

Democrats had been leveraging the possibility of a shutdown in an attempt to negotiate an extension to healthcare benefits.

But US President Donald Trump and Republicans were not willing to compromise.

It is the first government shutdown in more than six years.

When a lapse in funding occurs, government departments are required to cease activity and furlough "non-excepted" employees. Loading

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