US government shutdown hits key services

The US government shut down after senators failed to agree on a last-minute funding bill on Wednesday.

Thousands of federal workers face unpaid leave as President Trump threatens "irreversible" mass layoffs, the BBC reported.

Essential workers will continue working - some without pay - but some federal agencies are furloughing their staff. Politicians in Congress will still be paid.

In a statement later on Wednesday, the U.S. Embassy in Yerevan said due to the lapse in appropriations, its Facebook account will not be updated regularly until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information.

"At this time, scheduled passport and visa transit services in the United States and at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits. We will not update this account until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety and security information. For information on our services and operating status, visit travel.state.gov," it added.