US President, Donald Trump, on Monday, demanded air traffic controllers who are unpaid during the shutdown to "get back to work", and threatened to "dock" those who did not.

It comes as lawmakers edge closer to ending the 41-day shutdown, which is the longest ever recorded.

More than 4,500 flights are delayed and 1,800 are cancelled as US airports struggle with staffing shortages caused by the government shutdown.

A breakaway group of Democratic senators backed an agreement negotiated with Republicans in the Senate on Sunday – leaving some high-profile Democrats furious.

Trump and the Republicans will be pleased – and this vote could further divide Democrats.

There are still major hurdles in the way however, with the deal still needing to pass the House and unhappy Democrats could slow its progress in the Senate. (BBC)