In the United States, the White House has ordered government agencies to begin shutting down as Republicans and Democrats failed to reach an agreement on spending and budget mainly due to their differences over the healthcare reforms, which is popular as Obamacare. With neither side blinking, despite last minute hectic efforts from both sides, the White House immediately ordered federal government agencies to begin shutting down,furloughing thousands of workers and curtailing some services for the first time in nearly 18 years.

President Obama had appeared resigned to a shutdown yesterday afternoon as he stepped into the White House press room to reiterate that the shutdown would be the fault of the 'extreme right wing' of the Republican Party, referring to the conservative Tea Party. Obama repeated that a government closure would seriously harm the recovery of US economy.

Republicans have been insisting that Obama's health care reforms program is confusing and not ready. They also say the law hurts the economy by imposing more taxes and by forcing small businesses to provide coverage for their employees.