Basti (Parity) has published an article on achieving 500ms block times through Block Bundling (otherwise known as BastiBlocks). It's expected to go live on the Westend testnet by the end of the year.
Polkadot Referendum 1797 proposes to upgrade all system chains to runtime 2.0.3, updating XCM permissions to give Asset Hub more flexibility and preparing for the Ethereum Fulu hard-fork.
An exclusive Nobody Sausage costume has been distributed to all that played Pudgy Party between October 14th and November 1st. Additional costumes can be earned by referring three friends.