US Speaker of the House, Republican John Boehner (C), arriving at his office in Capitol Hill this morning. Photograph: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA Photograph: MICHAEL REYNOLDS/EPA

With no action expected on Capitol Hill soon, I'm winding things up here in London.

A quick reminder of the key points:

• China has publicly urged America to get to grips with its political crisis over the debt ceiling, as the US government shutdown entered its seventh day. Vice finance minister Zhu Guangyao told reporters in Beijing that America needs to take decisive steps swiftly, to prevent hitting its debt limit and defaulting.

South Africa's finance minister made a similar appeal in London this afternoon, showing that international concern over the standoff is growing.

• The lack of progress in Washington hit stock markets again. Most European indices closed in the red, and the Dow Jones industrial average has fallen around 0.5% this morning. Some US government debt rose in value though.

• Here's a round-up of analyst comments about the situation, which appeared to escalate yesterday after Treasury secretary Jack Lew warned Congress was playing with fire.

• And here's Goldman Sachs predicting severe spending cuts, and a 4.2% hit to GDP. if the debt ceiling is breached.

• In Europe, Greece's government predicted it would return to growth in 2014. It published its draft budget today, as investors digested the news that hedge fund star John Paulson is investing heavily in Greek banks.

• A former Greek defence minister was convicted in a major money-laundering trial. Akis Tzohatzopoulos will be sentenced on Tuesday.

• And the World Bank cut its growth forecasts for several East Asia countries, including China.

I'll be back tomorrow. Goodnight! GW