For financial markets and economists, the main near-term challenge of the US government shutdown is a lack of data. The longer the shutdown rumbles on, the larger the potential negative economic consequences. In Europe, we are moving firmly into budget season, putting fiscal policies at the top of the agenda. In Asia, it is all about central bank meetings, with the Philippines, Thailand and New Zealand all set for rate cuts in the week ahead. Chapters: US: 02:13, Europe: 08:06, Asia: 13:34.