New Delhi, Oct. 4 -- Hopes for a quick end to the United States government shutdown faded Friday (US time) as Democrats refused to budge in a Senate vote and President Donald Trump readied plans to unleash layoffs and cuts across the federal government.

On the third day of the shutdown, first in seven years, another Senate vote to advance a Republican bill that would reopen the government failed on a 54-44 tally - well short of the 60 needed to end a filibuster and pass the legislation, news agency AP reported.

House Speaker Mike Johnson announced that the chamber would close for legislative business next week, a move meant to force the Senate to work with the government funding bill that has been passed by House Republicans.

Following...