As dawn broke over Washington yesterday, hours after Congress decided to shut down the US government for the first time in 17 years.

National monuments are barricaded, war cemeteries in Europe closed, 800,000 workers at home with no pay - and the US shutdown has no end in sight.

Republican Speaker John Boehner faced a choice between two unappetising gambles on Monday night. He chose the grimmer of the two.

New Zealanders strongly support a move to take 150 refugees from Australian detention centres and resettle them here, a Herald-DigiPoll survey has found.

Julia Gillard has spoken out about her "murderous rage" and her determination not to cry in public.

Japanese manufacturers are increasingly optimistic about the business outlook in the months ahead.

The US Government began a partial shutdown for the first time in 17 years yesterday, putting as many as 800,000 federal employees in limbo.

The US Congress has missed a midnight deadline for blocking a partial government shutdown, after a bitter battle over changes in the nation's health care law.

US President Barack Obama has accused Republicans of pandering to the "extreme right wing'' of their party as a government shutdown looms.

Despite soothing assurances from Iran's new leaders, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu implored US President Barack Obama to keep punishing sanctions in place against Tehran.

In just a few hours, the US federal government is set to close its doors. Here's an explanation of how it came about.