Former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and wife Akshata Murty celebrated Diwali in Leicester on October 31. This came a day after Sunak resigned as Opposition leader. The couple participated in festivities, serving prasadam to attendees. Notably, Sunak was the first British-Asian PM to celebrate Diwali at 10 Downing Street in 2022. Akshata Murty shared photos on Instagram, wishing others a happy Diwali and expressing gratitude for new beginnings. The celebration marked a significant occasion for the couple, blending tradition and community engagement amidst Sunak's transition from political leadership.

Russia has slapped Google with a staggering $20 decillion fine, exceeding the global economy's total value, over YouTube's blocking of Russian state-run media channels. The penalty, imposed by a Russian court, accuses Google of violating national broadcasting rules. The fine will double daily if Google fails to restore the channels within nine months. This astronomical sum, a 2 followed by 34 zeroes, is unpayable and likely symbolic. The move retaliates against Google's response to Russia's Ukraine invasion. Google's parent company, Alphabet, faces an impossible financial burden.

Former US President Donald Trump has condemned the atrocities faced by Hindus in Bangladesh, particularly after the fall of the Sheikh Hasina government, in a Diwali message posted on X. Trump vowed to protect Hindu Americans from "anti-religion agendas" and fight for their freedom, stating that the violence against minorities in Bangladesh "would have never happened on my watch". He also criticized his Democratic rival, Kamala Harris, and US President Joe Biden, accusing them of ignoring Hindus globally and in America. This marks Trump's first public statement on Bangladesh, amidst his presidential campaign.

Emergency responders in Spain are searching for bodies in cars and buildings following devastating flash floods that have killed at least 158 people. The floods, striking eastern Spain late Tuesday and early Wednesday, mark the country's deadliest natural disaster this century. Torrential waters caused widespread destruction, piling cars, sweeping away homes and businesses, uprooting trees, and leaving roads and bridges unrecognizable. The catastrophic scenes underscore the severity of the flooding, which has left communities in shock as authorities continue their rescue and recovery efforts amidst extensive damage across the region.

Millions of Indians are celebrating Diwali, the festival of lights, which symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. This year, Diwali is being celebrated on Thursday, but some parts of the country will observe the festival on Friday. People decorate their homes with oil lamps, candles, and colorful rangoli while worshipping Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The festival follows Dhanteras, a day for purchasing gold and silver, believed to bring prosperity. Families gather to pray, exchange sweets, and wear new clothes. Fireworks are traditional but are regulated in several states due to air pollution concerns, particularly in Delhi.  

Los Angeles erupted into chaos after the Dodgers defeated the Yankees in the World Series. Fans clashed with police, looted stores, and set an MTA bus on fire near Dodger Stadium. The Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD) arrested at least a dozen people for looting, failure to disperse, and vandalism. Mayor Karen Bass condemned the violence, stating, “Violence will not be tolerated.” Emergency responders secured the bus fire as crowds set off fireworks. The Dodgers will celebrate with an official parade and event on Friday morning.

North Korea launched a long-range ballistic missile on Thursday, with leader Kim Jong Un observing the test. State media claimed the missile’s flight record surpassed previous tests. Kim declared the launch a “counteraction” aimed at informing adversaries. The UN, EU, and Germany condemned the launch as a violation of international law, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres noting its defiance of Security Council resolutions. Japan’s Defense Minister reported the missile reached a high altitude and traveled around 1,000 kilometers. This launch follows U.S. and South Korean claims of North Korean troop deployment in Russia near Ukraine.

On Halloween, U.S. President Joe Biden hosted a playful trick-or-treat event at the White House, his final Halloween celebration of his term. With First Lady Jill Biden dressed as a panda, the couple interacted with children, distributing treats and entertaining up to 8,000 visitors. In contrast, former President Donald Trump addressed Latino voters in Albuquerque, New Mexico, promoting his immigration policies. Despite the state’s Democratic-leaning demographics, Trump aims to gain support among conservative Latino voters. The campaign focuses on immigration and energy issues, though critics argue his claims on energy under Biden's administration are misleading.

In Nepal, dogs received special recognition during the annual Kukur Puja festival, celebrated on the second day of Tihar, or Diwali. Nepali pet owners and Armed Police Force members adorned dogs with flower garlands, vermillion marks, and treats to honor their service. At Kathmandu’s canine center, eight dogs participated in the ritual, later showcasing skills such as jumping through fire rings and retrieving objects. "We honor these dogs for their invaluable contributions, from detecting explosives to aiding in rescues," said Ram Narayan KC, deputy canine division chief. Dogs are revered in Nepal as messengers of Yamraj, the Hindu god of death.

A Russian court has fined Google an unprecedented two undecillion roubles ($20 undecillion) for restricting 17 Russian state media channels on YouTube. The fine, doubling daily if unpaid, is vastly larger than Google’s entire value of $2 trillion, exceeding even the world’s total GDP. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov admitted he "cannot even pronounce this number," urging Google to consider the penalty. This fine follows escalating tensions between Russia and Google since 2021 when Moscow accused the tech giant of limiting Russian media and supporting protests. Google has yet to comment on the massive fine.