US shutdown enters 4th day: No end in sight

October 05, 2013

Amid continued political impasse leading to a government shutdown, the US appeared to be no closer to resolving the crisis, the first in 17 years, with time fast running out for raising the debt limit.

Some eight lakh federal employees have been furloughed as a result of the shutdown -- which was in its fourth day yesterday.

The Congress needs to increase the federal debt ceiling by October 17 to avoid having the US default on its obligations.