America offline: tracking the US government's shutdown

The US federal government ceased most operations just after midnight on October 1st, 2013, as a divided Congress failed to reach a compromise for continued funding. NASA, the Department of Health and Human services, and other hi-tech agencies are largely frozen until further notice, except for critical services. With the Republican-controlled House of Representatives holding fast in their attempt to block funding for the President's health care reform effort, no clear end is in sight for the first full government shutdown in 17 years.