US lawmakers struggle to prevent government shutdown

WASHINGTON - Republicans and US President Barack Obama's Democrats heaped blame on each other as a government shutdown appeared ever more likely at midnight on Friday, with negotiators deadlocked over billions of dollars in spending cuts including dramatic reductions to social programs.

Obama met with Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Republican House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner at the White House earlier on Thursday but were unsuccessful in closing a deal. After a second session at night, Obama announced that the discussion had progressed but there was still no agreement.

Amid the biggest clash yet between Democrats and the resurgent Republicans who control the House, Obama said he hoped to be able to announce a deal on Friday but "there's no certainty yet". He told Boehner and Reid that he wanted an answer in the morning.