By|| Goodluck E. Adubazi
The U.S. government has officially shut down after lawmakers failed to reach an agreement to fund federal operations, triggering a lapse in appropriations. As a result, non-essential federal agencies have begun closing, and hundreds of thousands of government employees are facing furloughs or working without pay.
Essential services such as national security, air traffic control, and emergency response will continue, while parks, regulatory offices, and many public services are expected to be disrupted. Congressional leaders say negotiations are ongoing, but there is no immediate timeline for restoring full government operations.
