Grab your morning chai or kopi and swing by Washington, D.C., because day 35 of the US government shutdown is in full swing, and we're teetering on breaking the 2018-19 record! 📆🏛️
It all kicked off after US lawmakers couldn't pass a funding bill, leaving hundreds of thousands of federal workers in limbo with no paychecks. Yep, that includes everyone from TSA agents at airports to Smithsonian museum guides. 😬
Basic services are taking a hit too. Programs like SNAP (food stamps) have paused, which means low-income families are scrambling for support. Meanwhile, crucial economic data – think job reports and GDP updates – is stuck in pending mode. No fresh numbers = no real snapshot of the US economy. 📊❌
Why should you care in South Asia and Southeast Asia? For starters, US consulates abroad – like in New Delhi or Manila – are running with skeleton staff, so visa appointments could be delayed. 😓 Plus, global markets watch every move in Washington; stock jitters can affect tech exports, remittances, and even your favorite apps performance.
So what's next? Lawmakers need to cut a deal – otherwise, the political stalemate continues and the clock keeps ticking. For now, keep an eye on updates, and maybe double-check that your travel plans or remittance timelines won't hit a bump. ⚖️⏳
Stay tuned for live updates from the Capitol, and don't forget to sip that extra cup of caffeine – you'll need it! ☕️😉
Reference(s):
cgtn.com
