Deal reached on US spending, shutdown likely averted

Washington (AFP) – US congressional leaders have reached a deal on a federal spending bill which if passed by lawmakers this week will avert a government shutdown, a top lawmaker and congressional aides said.
The agreement would keep federal operations running through September 30, the end of the fiscal year.
Congress is expected to vote in the coming days on the package, which aides said includes some $1.5 billion in funding for increased border security measures, but no funding for an a