What are the most important events and topics in the news today?

I'll gather today's most important headlines for you — just a moment.

Most important events and topics in the news today - Thursday, October 1, 2026:

1. United States - Government Funding / Shutdown Deadline

The central US political story is the October 1 start of Fiscal Year 2027.

•The feared government shutdown did not happen. With federal funding set to lapse at midnight on October 1, Congress passed a continuing resolution that President Trump signed into law on September 2, 2026

•The bill keeps federal agencies funded at current levels through December 11, 2026, pushing the fight past the November midterm elections.

•Key details: Original shutdown deadline was October 1, 2026, House initially wanted December 4, Senate wanted December 11, Senate vote was 90-6 and House vote 370-48 on September 1, Bill name is Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027

Some outlets were still running explainers for what a shutdown would mean - that without appropriations, federal agencies are left without approved funding, forcing them to halt or reduce operations - but the averted-shutdown reporting is the updated status.

Next deadline is now December 11, when 12 full-year appropriations bills still need to be finalized.

2. International - Politics & Security

•US forces complete withdrawal from Iraq after 20+ years, ending anti-IS mission - also described as U.S. forces exit Iraq after two decades, leaving opening for Iran

•New Zealand election campaign begins: Oct 1 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Parliament was dissolved on Thursday, marking the official start of campaigning for next month's national election, with Parliament holding its final sitting on September 23 ahead of the November 7 vote. Polls show a tight contest between the ruling centre-right coalition and Labour-led left bloc.

•Middle East tensions: Iran warns UAE of 'highly dangerous consequences' after Israel PM Netanyahu's visit; Saudi Arabia denies reports of talks with Netanyahu in UAE; Commercial plane travelling from Dubai to Israel diverted to Saudi Arabia after distress call

•Russia issues nuclear warning to NATO as tensions rise in the Baltic

3. Economy & Markets

•Global FX / Rates: The dollar held near a two-month high on Thursday, supported by an extended rise in US Treasury yields partly driven by concerns over persistent global price pressures stemming from the Middle East war

•UK economy downgraded: Britain's economic growth prospects received the sharpest downgrade of any major economy in the OECD's interim forecast update on Thursday following the U.S.-Israeli war on Iran - OECD cut 2026 forecast for British growth by half a point to 0.7%.

•India markets: Sensex tumbles 956 points and Nifty sheds 306 points today amid global rate concerns; Foreign investors withdraw $2.7 billion from Indian equities in September

•But India's industrial output stronger: India's IIP growth rises to 8% in August 2026 from 7.4% in July

•Energy markets on watch: BlackRock CEO Larry Fink warned oil could reach $150 and cause global recession if Iran remains a threat - reported via Reuters/BBC.

4. Environment / Science

•Swiss glaciers suffer disastrous year of ice loss - headlines note catastrophic loss, with glaciers losing more than 5% of ice after record heatwave and a fifth of mass in five years, threatening water supplies.

5. India - Major Domestic Headlines

Today is a day of many new rules taking effect:

•Cabinet raises wheat MSP by Rs 25 to Rs 2,610 per quintal for 2027-28 Rabi season

•Cabinet approves Intelligent Traffic Management System (ITMS) worth Rs 1,789 cr for Delhi

•Delhi's 'No PUC, No Fuel' policy strengthened from today, Oct 1 - vehicles without valid PUC will not get fuel

•New LPG Rule: Biometric Aadhaar Authentication mandatory to get subsidized cylinder

•New RBI Rule: Banks must publish bulk FD rates (Rs 3 crore+) daily on website by 10 AM

•Opposition politics: INDIA bloc meeting: Opposition announces march to Election Commission on October 6; 2020 Delhi riots case: Delhi High Court refuses bail to Umar Khalid and Sharjeel Imam

6. Sports - Asian Games 2026 (Aichi-Nagoya, Japan)

Dominant story in Asian sports:

•India bags 60 medals at Asian Games 2026 including 10 gold as of today, Oct 1

•India women's compound archery team wins gold defeating China 238-234 - and India seal compound archery hat-trick with third straight gold

•Other golds: Chikitha Taniparthi and Sahil Jadhav win mixed compound team gold; India women's 4x400m relay wins first athletics gold; Neeru Dhanda and Kynan Chenai win mixed trap team gold with new Asian Games record

7. Other Notable October 1 Regulations

•UK: Right to Work checks extend to subcontractors from 1 October under Border Security, Asylum and Immigration Act 2025

•UK energy: Ofgem price cap rises 4% to £1,723 from 1 October; Winter Fuel Payment £200/£300 with £35,000 clawback

•Connecticut: New privacy rights effective October 1, 2026 beginning that date residents gain expanded protections

Citations (5)

1govtschemes.orgLow provenance
Government Shutdown October 2026: Averted — Funding Runs to Dec 11
Backs: “The central US political story is the October 1 start of Fiscal Year 2027. The feared government shutdown did not happen. With federal funding set to lapse at midnight on October 1, Congress passed a continuing resolution that President Trump signed into law on September 2, 2026”
2livemint.comNot yet classified
US Government shutdown takes effect: What it means, who it will affect, and how long it could last? All queries answered | Today News
Backs: “Key details: Original shutdown deadline was October 1, 2026, House initially wanted December 4, Senate wanted December 11, Senate vote was 90-6 and House vote 370-48 on September 1, Bill name is Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act, 2027. Some outlets were still running explainers for what a shutdown would…”
3jagranjosh.comCommercial content
School Assembly News Headlines (October 1, 2026): India’s Asian Games Gold Rush, NEET UG, IIP Growth & Other News
Backs: “Next deadline is now December 11, when 12 full-year appropriations bills still need to be finalized. 2. International - Politics & Security. US forces complete withdrawal from Iraq after 20+ years, ending anti-IS mission - also described as U.S.”
4thedailyjagran.comNews and media
Today’s School Assembly News Headline October 1, 2026: Check Top National, International, And Sports News Here
Backs: “US forces complete withdrawal from Iraq after 20+ years, ending anti-IS mission - also described as U.S.”
5lapost.comNot yet classified
New Zealand Parliament dissolved ahead of tight November vote
Backs: “US forces complete withdrawal from Iraq after 20+ years, ending anti-IS mission - also described as U.S. forces exit Iraq after two decades, leaving opening for Iran. New Zealand election campaign begins: Oct 1 (Reuters) - New Zealand's Parliament was dissolved on Thursday, marking the official start of campaigning…”