1. [global Times] under the background of COVID-19 ‘s epidemic crisis, German small and medium-sized enterprises lost more than 1 million jobs in 2020, which means the layoff rate reached 3.3 percent, according to a report released by the German Bank for Reconstruction and Credit on the 22nd local time. 

2. [international Financial News] Real-time statistics from Johns Hopkins University in the United States show that as of 06:24 Beijing time on the 23rd, there were 41552371 confirmed cases and 1135229 deaths of COVID-19 worldwide. Data show that the country with the largest number of confirmed and fatal cases of COVID-19 in the world is the United States, with a total of 8395100 confirmed cases and 222925 deaths. 

3. USA: in October, Markit manufacturing PMI initial value is 53.3, forecast is 53.5, previous value is 53.2; Markit service industry PMI initial value is 56, forecast is 54.6, previous value is 54.6. Analysts believe that the US economy seems to have started on a strong basis in the fourth quarter, with business activity growing at its fastest pace since the beginning of 2019 in October. As more and more companies adapt to life under health events, services begin to lead economic expansion, while manufacturing will continue to grow strongly as household and business demand increases.

4. Lee Kun-hee, heir to South Korea’s richest man, will pay 10 trillion won estate tax on October 25. Lee Kun-hee, chairman of South Korea’s Samsung Group, died in a hospital in Seoul at the age of 78. Lee Kun-hee is the chairman of Samsung, South Korea’s largest group, and the most influential tycoon in South Korea. Lee Kun-hee’s death, leaving behind a total of US $17.3 billion in family wealth, and the future direction of Samsung, are the focus of attention from the outside world. According to the Korean estate law, the estate will pay a tax rate of 50%, and then deduct 3 per cent according to its own declaration, which will cost about 62.8 billion yuan (10.6 trillion won).

5. Environmental groups warn: Japan’s Fukushima nuclear sewage into the sea or affect human DNA a few days ago, an environmental protection organization warned that the nuclear sewage stored at the Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant in Japan contains not only radioactive isotope tritium, but also radioactive isotope carbon-14, which may affect human DNA. The Fukushima Daiichi nuclear power plant has accumulated 1.23 million tons of nuclear sewage treatment water, and the water storage tank capacity will reach its limit by 2022. Earlier, Japanese media reported that the Japanese government had decided to discharge nuclear sewage into the sea, but it was opposed by all parties.

6. Three people are missing after a Russian oil tanker exploded after a fire in the Sea of Azov, a Russian oil tanker exploded after a fire in the Sea of Azov on October 24, according to Russian emergency services. So far, 10 crew members have been rescued, but three are missing. Three rescue ships have been sent to the scene, a total of 102 people and 14 equipment into the rescue operation.

7. Un official: the COVID-19 epidemic has led to the loss of 500 million jobs around the world, and the global economy is losing about $375 billion a month. With a surge in gender-based violence, mental illness is “a crisis in a crisis”. About 24 million children may drop out of school, “which will have an impact on their lives.” 

8. Italian Prime Minister Conte: the Italian government will take a series of new measures to further strengthen the prevention and control of the COVID-19 epidemic. From 00:00 on October 26th to November 24th, Italy will ban bars, cafes, restaurants and ice cream shops from opening after 18:00 every day; implement online teaching for 75% of high school students; close cinemas, concert halls, gyms, swimming pools, etc., and suspend all contact sports except the national league; suspend meetings, trade fairs, weddings and funerals; museums can remain open as usual. 

9. Ministry of Commerce: the secretariat of the Asia-Pacific Trade Agreement (APTA) informed members that Mongolia had deposited an instrument of acceptance with ESCAP, completed the accession procedures to the Agreement, and intended to implement tariff reduction arrangements with relevant members on January 1, 2021. Under the tariff concession arrangement, Mongolia will reduce tariffs on 366 tax items, mainly involving aquatic products, vegetables and fruits, animal and vegetable oils, mineral products, chemical products, wood, cotton yarn, chemical fibers, machinery products, transport equipment, etc., with an average tax reduction of 24.2%. At the same time, Mongolia can enjoy the existing tariff reduction arrangements for other members such as China.