US government readies for imminent shutdown

The US government has begun to inform workers of an impending shutdown that could see millions of federal employees and military personnel sent home or working without pay, unless Congress reaches a last-ditch deal.

Without an agreement, funding for much of the federal government will expire at midnight on Saturday, threatening disruptions to everything from air travel to some benefit payments, and -– if the shutdown endures –- dealing a further blow to the precarious US economy.