Tilda, a renowned basmati rice brand, has collaborated with LOVO, a non-profit organization, to launch a limited-edition tin, promoting women's empowerment. Available from November 2024 at independent UK retailers with a 2kg purchase of Tilda Pure Basmati Rice, the tin features intricate patterns symbolizing sisterhood, community, and personal growth. The design reflects LOVO's values of strength and gratitude. To commemorate the launch, Tilda and LOVO hosted an event on September 26, attended by 150 guests, including the Mayor of Southwark, Naima Ali. The partnership includes a £10,000 donation from Tilda to support LOVO's initiatives. This collaboration aligns with Tilda's commitment to diversity and community empowerment, reinforcing its 50-year legacy as a trusted kitchen staple.

Typhoon Kong-rey, a Category 4 storm, made landfall on Taiwan's eastern coast, prompting widespread closures and disruptions. With winds of 33 km/h and a diameter of over 500 km, the storm forced schools, workplaces, and markets to shut down. Hundreds of flights, ferries, and Taiwan's stock exchange were suspended. The typhoon's late-season arrival is unusual, as Taiwan's typhoon season typically ends in September. Residents stocked up on supplies, leaving supermarkets bare. The storm's impact is being closely monitored, with authorities on high alert.

A sudden and mysterious spike in elephant deaths has occurred in Madhya Pradesh's Bandhavgarh Tiger Reserve, with eight fatalities reported within 48 hours. The deceased include seven three-year-old female calves and a four-to-five-year-old male. A ninth elephant is in critical condition, while a tenth has recovered and been released. Authorities have launched an investigation, deploying a three-member National Tiger Conservation Authority (NTCA) team and a five-member Principal Chief Conservator of Forests (PCCF) team. The probe's findings are expected within 10 days.

Lucknow Super Giants (LSG) are set to retain wicket-keeper batter Nicholas Pooran for Rs 20 crore ahead of the IPL mega auction. Pooran's retention was finalized after consultations with mentor Zaheer Khan and coach Justin Langer. LSG will reportedly not retain KL Rahul. The captaincy decision remains pending, with the team considering options in the upcoming auction, including Rishabh Pant. This move makes Pooran one of the IPL's highest-paid retained players.

Indian and Chinese troops exchanged sweets on Diwali, following their disengagement from the Depsang and Demchok areas of eastern Ladakh. The gesture marks a significant easing of tensions after a four-year standoff. Completed disengagement allows for resumed patrolling, with local commanders meeting to finalize modalities. Diplomatic and military-level talks facilitated the breakthrough. The US State Department welcomed the reduced tensions along the India-China border.

Lebanon's caretaker Prime Minister Najib Mikati has expressed optimism that a ceasefire agreement between Hezbollah and Israel will be announced soon, possibly within hours or days. This follows his conversation with US envoy Amos Hochstein, who hinted at a potential deal before November 5. According to Israeli broadcaster Kan, the draft deal, penned by the US on October 26, outlines a 60-day truce, during which Israel would withdraw its forces within a week. The agreement also includes Israel's right to self-defense against imminent threats. Mikati's statement comes after a significant escalation in conflict, resulting in 2,800 deaths in Lebanon over the past year.

NASA's Voyager-1 spacecraft, launched in 1977, briefly lost contact with Earth due to a technical issue. On October 16, a command to activate a heater triggered the spacecraft's fault protection system, shutting down its primary X-band transmitter. The system automatically switched to a backup S-band transmitter, last used in 1981. NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory team successfully reestablished communication on October 24, overcoming challenges posed by the weaker signal traveling 25 billion kilometers from Earth. The incident demonstrated Voyager-1's resilience and NASA's expertise in maintaining communication with the 45-year-old probe.

An HIV outbreak has been reported in Ramnagar, Uttarakhand, with over 19 youths testing positive after engaging in physical relations with a 17-year-old girl addicted to heroin. The girl allegedly had unprotected sex with multiple men to fund her addiction. The outbreak came to light when the youths developed severe health issues, leading to hospital tests confirming their HIV diagnoses. Health officials are taking immediate action, providing counseling and support. The incident highlights the urgent need for awareness and education on HIV/AIDS and substance abuse.

Indian stock markets opened lower on Thursday, with the S&P BSE Sensex falling 199.13 points to 79,743.05 and the NSE Nifty50 declining 126 points to 24,340.85. Foreign institutional investors' sustained selling and disappointing second-quarter earnings reports contributed to the downturn. Losses in Asian and US markets also weighed on sentiment, particularly in information technology stocks. The broader market indices also declined, reflecting increased volatility. The decline marked a departure from the typical pre-Diwali rally, signaling caution among investors.

A drunk 44-year-old man, Matthew Wootten, has been jailed for intentionally crashing into the gates of Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's country estate, Chequers, on June 25. Wootten's vehicle smashed through the historic Victory Gate, causing £38,000 in damages. He was found to be nearly three times over the legal drink-drive limit, with a blood alcohol reading of 221mg per 100mg of blood. Several cans of alcohol were also discovered in his car. Wootten seriously injured himself in the crash. The incident highlights concerns over security breaches at the prestigious estate.