In the United States, the second big snowstorm in less than a week has paralysed cities in the north-eastern parts of the country with government offices due to stay shut for a third day. The US National Weather Service forecast up to 14 inches of snow in the region, along with strong winds. Washington streets were deserted, while in New York the United Nations said its headquarters would be closed. In Washington, federal agencies are shut and the House of Representatives has called off all votes for this week. Thousands of houses have remained without power in the US capital. Transport has been widely disrupted. Many airlines have also cancelled flights today. Many of the region's schools are closed, with some cancelling classes for the rest of the week. The government closure is estimated to be costing 100 million dollars a day in lost productivity and other costs. The storm arrived from the west, where as much as 17 inches of snow fell in the state of Iowa.