President Barack Obama and a Republican leader have finally sat down for talks about the partial U.S. government shutdown and the possible debt crisis. They didn't come up with any answers, but people are positive that talks are happening. A senior Republican said the talks were "very useful" and "clarifying." Hopefully, the two sides will agree to increase the $16.7 trillion U.S. debt limit. Failure to do this by October 17 could be very bad for the global economy.

A poll found 53 per cent of people blamed Republicans for the shutdown, while 31 per cent blamed Obama. Other countries can't understand what is going on. An Indian newspaper said it was "chilling" that US politicians were playing a dangerous game with the economy. A UAE businessman said there was something badly wrong with a system that leaves a country without direction, without a budget and perhaps unable to pay its debts.