US embassy in Turkey cancels event due to federal shutdown

ANKARA

The U.S. Embassy in Ankara has canceled a reception set to be hosted by Ambassador Francis J. Ricciardone on Oct. 8 because of the federal shutdown in the United States.

Officials have sent emails to invitees informing them that “because of the budget negotiations ongoing in the U.S. government, all social activities [have been] temporarily suspended.”

The embassy said the reception had been postponed until a further date to be clarified soon.

The event was to be hosted by Ricciardone and his spouse, Dr. Marie D. Ricciardone, for a recital by soprano Angela Ahiskal and pianist Tayfun İlhan at their residence.

The federal shutdown, the first in 17 years, occurred after congressional Republicans demanded changes to the nation’s healthcare law against the adamant opposition of President Barack Obama and Democrats.