AIT suspends Facebook updates due to U.S. government shutdown

Taipei, Oct. 1 (CNA) The American Institute in Taiwan (AIT) on Wednesday said it would temporarily suspend updates to its Facebook page due to a lapse in funding caused by the U.S. government shutdown.

Because of the lapse in appropriations, "this account will not be regularly updated until full operations resume, with the exception of urgent safety or security information," AIT said in a post on its Facebook page.

"At this time, scheduled passport and visa services in the United States, at the American Institute in Taiwan (Taipei and Kaohsiung), as well as at U.S. Embassies and Consulates overseas, will continue during the lapse in appropriations as the situation permits," the post said.

The U.S. federal government shutdown began at 12 a.m. Eastern Time Wednesday after a deadlocked Congress failed to reach a spending deal.

The shutdown, the first since 2018, will halt some government services and programs and see some non-essential workers placed on unpaid leave, according to U.S. media reports.

AIT represents U.S. interests in Taiwan in the absence of official ties.