Republicans block measure to fund US government beyond Thursday

Democrats have just three days to find alternative deal and are also facing a potential default

Senate Republicans have blocked a measure to suspend the US federal debt ceiling and avoid a potentially catastrophic government shutdown, leaving Democrats who narrowly control both chambers of Congress only three days to find another way to keep the government operating beyond Thursday - when current funding expires.

The legislation was aimed at beating two fast-approaching deadlines that, if left unaddressed, threaten to destabilise the US economy as it struggles to emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic.