US aviation officials have reported delays in air travel because of a "slight increase in sick leave" at two East Coast air traffic control facilities.

EUROPEAN and British political leaders need look no farther than the United States to see the devastating consequences on ordinary citizens of a failure to reach reasonable compromise in any protracted dispute or negotiation.

The partial shutdown of the US government has entered its 22nd day - becoming the longest closure in the country's history.

A new, stripped-down spending bill to prevent a government shutdown this weekend has been unveiled by Republicans in the House of Representatives.