The US Senate has approved a deal to end the government shutdown, marking the first significant progress after 40 days of deadlock. A minority of Democrats joined Republicans to pass the procedural vote, which now moves to the House of Representatives.
The shutdown, the longest in US history, has affected 1.4 million federal employees, who have been on unpaid leave or working without pay, and suspended many government services. The deal, if fully approved, will restore government operations.
