US Congress races to avoid government shutdown after bipartisan spending agreement was derailed following interventions by President-elect Donald Trump and his efficiency czar, Elon Musk. Also in the programme: A high level US delegation holds talks with Syria’s new leader Ahmed al-Shara’a; At least two dead and 68 injured after a car drove into a crowd at German Christmas market; and 27 new species discovered in Peru, including an amphibious mouse. (Photo: Mike Johnson, Republican Speaker of the House, talking to journalists. Credit: EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)
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Hello and welcome to NewsHour from the BBC World Service.
Coming to you live from our studios in central London, I'm Julian Marshall.
Will the lights go out in Washington this Christmas?
I'm asking.
Metaphorically, of course.
But there is a risk that all non essential US Government functions will will pause unless Congress comes up with a new spending plan in the coming hours to avert a shutdown.
Republicans and Democrats had agreed a plan, but it was derailed after scathing criticism by incoming President Donald Trump and his efficiency czar, Elon Musk.
His role was highlighted by Democratic Representative Rosa DeLauro speaking on the floor of the House.
They write the bill, they post the bill.
They agreed on a bill, they signed it.
And you know what?
They got scared because President Musk told them.
President Musk said, don't do it, don't do it.
Shut the government down.