On Saturday, September 30th, Congress passed a temporary deal to extend government funding until November 17th, with $16 billion allocated for disaster relief but no funding for Ukraine. A government shutdown looms if Congress fails to approve a budget for the upcoming year, affecting various federal agencies and employees, with essential services continuing but employees working without pay.

Former President Donald Trump is currently facing a series of legal challenges in multiple states, including Georgia, Florida, New York, and the District of Columbia, involving a total of 91 counts. These charges range from election tampering to mishandling classified documents and undisclosed payments, potentially impacting his prospects for a 2024 presidential run. The legal battles, particularly concerning attempts to overturn the 2020 election, could have significant consequences for the integrity of future U.S. elections and public acceptance of election outcomes.

India's ban on non-Basmati white rice exports, triggered by rising domestic prices and global factors, aims to ensure affordable domestic availability. The move impacts global rice prices, potentially leading to food insecurity, affecting countries heavily dependent on Indian rice imports.

A chemical spill in the Delaware River led to concerns about contamination of the water supply for half of Philadelphia. The Philadelphia Water Department meticulously monitored the situation, tested the water supply frequently, and determined no contamination.

Silicon Valley Bank collapsed due to early investment decisions combined with rising interest rates, leading them to sell their bonds at steep losses, which spooked investors and customers into panic, who withdrew millions of dollars within the span of 48 hours.

On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, citing security concerns. Since then, the situation has progressively worsened, and the complicated history and geopolitics of the region have led to widespread mis- and disinformation.