US government shutdown begins 

The US government entered its 15th shutdown since 1981 on Wednesday after Republicans and Democrats failed to reach a funding deal, halting key services and furloughing 750,000 federal workers at an estimated daily cost of $400 million.

The closure follows the Senate’s rejection of a short-term spending bill, with Democrats demanding an extension of healthcare subsidies and Republicans insisting the issue be handled separately. The deadlock leaves $1.7 trillion in agency funding unresolved, threatening delays in jobs data, air travel, scientific research, and troop pay.

President Donald Trump, who has pledged deep cuts to the federal workforce, warned the shutdown could pave the way for permanent job losses. Markets reacted with Wall Street futures dipping, gold hitting record highs and the dollar weakening.

The standoff recalls the record 35-day shutdown during Trump’s first term and could prove longer, as Democrats push to secure healthcare benefits ahead of the 2026 midterm elections while Republicans resist concessions.

Attribution: Reuters

Subediting: Y.Yasser