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Oct 2025
19m 19s

The cost of a shutdown

Bbc World Service
About this episode

For the first time in nearly seven years, federal operations have been drastically curtailed as the US government shuts down.

As it enters a second week, we look in detail at how the collapse in funding for government services is affecting America at large - from the Federal worker fearing for his job, to the wider concerns of slowing growth and rising inflation.

What does this say about the state of the world’s largest economy?

Produced and presented by Ed Butler

(Image: "Closed" signage in front of the National Gallery of Art in Washington, DC, US, on 5 October 20205. Credit: Getty Images)

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