US government shutdown impairs spy agencies’ work
Senior US intelligence officials have warned the shutdown of the US government "seriously damages" spy agencies' ability to protect the country. Director of National Intelligence James Clapper told a Senate panel that an estimated 70% of intelligence workers had been placed on unpaid leave. Also, the head of the US electronic spy agency said morale had been devastated.
The US government closed non-essential operations on Tuesday after Congress failed to reach a new budget deal.