President Obama on US shutdown: 'Nobody is winning'

President Barack Obama has said that "nobody is winning", as the political deadlock which led to a US government shutdown dragged on.

Speaking as he visited a sandwich shop near the White House, the president also urged Republican House Speaker John Boehner to allow a vote on spending plans to take place.

"This shutdown could be over today," he added.

The US government closed non-essential operations on Tuesday after Congress failed to agree a new budget.