Global Gold Market Plunges After Record Highs

The international gold market tumbled sharply on October 21 following consecutive record highs, with spot gold plummeting over 6% in its largest single-day drop since April 2013. The sell-off came just after prices hit a historic peak of $4,381 per ounce. Silver prices also experienced significant declines. Analysts attribute the downturn to a rebounding U.S. dollar and temporary improvement in risk appetite among investors. The correction marks a dramatic reversal for precious metals that had rallied steadily through 2023.

Zelenskyy Announces Defense Pact, Multinational Backing for Ceasefire

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced on June 21 that preparations for meetings with European partners have been completed, with a new defense agreement to be signed this week that will provide long-term security guarantees for Ukraine. Zelenskyy reiterated readiness to end the conflict, noting alignment with former U.S. President Donald Trump on negotiating based on current frontlines. The same day, leaders from the UK, Germany and other nations issued a joint statement supporting immediate ceasefire and using current contact lines as negotiation baselines, while emphasizing continued sanctions against Russia.

Power Diamond Sets New World Record for Largest Lab-Grown Diamond

Power Diamond has cultivated a 156.47-carat diamond rough using high-pressure, high-temperature (HPHT) synthesis, setting a new world record. The diamond measures 36.70mm x 32.85mm x 15.30mm and has been authenticated by the International Gemological Institute (IGI). This technological breakthrough is expected to advance applications in semiconductor heat dissipation materials and is poised to boost investment and development across the lab-grown diamond industry.

Shenzhen 'Tape Measure Brother' Exposes Urban Issues, Prompting Swift Fixes

A Shenzhen citizen has published over 1,000 videos since March 2023 exposing urban issues like narrow sidewalk bollards and cracked manhole covers, with most problems resolved quickly. Shenzhen urban management authorities responded that such feedback reflects the city's 'meticulous craftsmanship' in governance. Experts say this public oversight creates a positive feedback loop with government responsiveness, raising urban management standards.

AWS Service Outage Disrupts Thousands of Global Websites and Apps

Amazon Web Services (AWS) experienced a major service outage that paralyzed thousands of websites and applications globally. The outage, which lasted for approximately 15 hours, was triggered by a DNS resolution issue with the DynamoDB service endpoint in the US East-1 region. Service was restored by the afternoon of October 21, US Eastern Time. The outage impacted major platforms including Amazon, Facebook, and Coinbase, with estimated economic losses reaching into the billions of US dollars.

South Korean Man Escapes Fraud Compound, Embassy Denies Entry

A South Korean man who escaped from a fraud compound in Sihanoukville, Cambodia, was denied entry at the South Korean Embassy in Phnom Penh at 5 a.m. on April 15 because it was outside business hours. After waiting two hours, he was allowed in. Following media exposure, South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated it is improving systems to ensure citizens can access consular assistance after hours. Two staff members involved have resigned. The man had escaped after 12 hours of travel from the fraud compound.

Guangdong's Shantou District Bans Primary and Secondary School Students from Participating in Folk Parade Activities

On October 21, a school in Chenghai District, Shantou City, Guangdong Province issued a notice prohibiting primary and secondary school students from participating in folk parade activities such as the Yingge dance team and waist drum team. The Chenghai District Education Bureau stated that this was a directive from the Chenghai Town government, citing safety management concerns. Currently, no other towns have issued similar requirements.

Jiangsu Province Discovers Large Strontium Deposit

A geological survey team from the Jiangsu Provincial Institute of Geological Survey has discovered a large strontium deposit in the Lishui Basin, with estimated resources of 545.55 kilotons. To address challenges like surface coverage and mineral exploration difficulties, the project team proposed new approaches for deep prospecting and established a new mineralization model for strontium deposits. This discovery also revealed several concealed copper and lead-zinc ore bodies, providing new directions for mineral exploration in the Lishui Basin.

Hangzhou Transportation Authority Responds to Pet Transit Ban

Hangzhou's transportation authority has responded to a municipal political advisor's suggestion to allow pets on public transit, stating that current national and municipal regulations prohibit pets on subway and bus systems due to safety and sanitation concerns. The authority emphasized there are no immediate plans to lift the ban but may explore pilot programs for customized transit services in the future.

Yunnan Regulates Official Vehicle Rentals for Public Outings

Yunnan's Provincial Government Offices Administration and Department of Finance have jointly issued new regulations governing official vehicle rentals for government agencies. The rules mandate prioritizing public transport for official travel and imposing strict controls on vehicle type, frequency, and costs when rentals are necessary. All rentals must follow official vehicle standards, use domestically produced vehicles—preferably new energy vehicles—and exclude luxury or non-compliant vehicles. The policy aims to establish a frugal and standardized oversight system for public expenditures.

Cold Air Mass Spreads South, Setting New Lows for Temperatures Since the Second Half of the Year

A slow-moving cold air mass continues to advance eastward and southward, leading to significantly low temperatures across northern China. In the south, it has resulted in the largest drop in temperatures since the second half of the year. The freezing 0°C line reached north-central China yesterday morning. Temperatures in 22 major cities hit record lows for the period after the Start of Autumn. A new cold front is expected around the 25th, bringing strong winds and another temperature drop.

Wang Tianyi Sentenced in Chess Scandal, Issues Apology

Chinese chess grandmaster Wang Tianyi has been sentenced by a Hangzhou court for his involvement in a case involving the buying and selling of chess matches. In his public apology, Wang admitted to accepting additional payments from sponsors. The player reflected on his career, acknowledging that arrogance and impatience led to his downfall. The China Xiangqi Association subsequently banned Wang for life and revoked all his technical titles. The case involves six other grandmasters accused of offering or accepting bribes in non-state sector contexts.

Trading Platform's Refund Policy Requiring Slapping Video Sparks Controversy

An 11-year-old girl named Li Yun was asked to upload a video of her parent slapping her as 'punishment' to get a refund after purchasing trading cards on the second-hand platform 'Qian Dao'. The platform later denied it was an official transaction, though China's Consumer Rights Protection Law may still apply 'seven-day no reason returns' to such second-hand transactions. The platform has received 9,782 complaints regarding the incident, with many accusing it of evading responsibilities.

13-Year-Old in Hubei Runs Red Light, Causes Accident

A 13-year-old girl riding an electric bicycle ran a red light and collided with a taxi in Xiangyang, Hubei province on October 1. The girl, who was traveling the wrong way, only sustained minor scrapes. Traffic police confirmed she was fully responsible as she was under 16, the legal age for operating such vehicles. Authorities remind parents to strengthen children's road safety education.

Multiple Players Withdraw from WTT Montpellier Tournament

According to a report from Zhibo TV on October 21, several players have withdrawn from the WTT Montpellier Champions tournament, including China's Wang Chuqin and Sun Yingsha. They have been replaced by Japan's Yukiya Utada and South Korea's Ji Hyeon-ho, among others. Additionally, Liang Jingkun, Wang Manyu, and Japan's Tomokazu Harimoto have also withdrawn. Their spots will be taken by China's Wen Ruibo, Singapore's Zeng Jian, and Egypt's Omar Assar. The tournament organizers have confirmed these last-minute changes to the player list.

South Korean President's Bodyguard Praised for Professionalism

A bodyguard for South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol has drawn widespread praise online for his alertness and professionalism during a public appearance. The incident occurred on October 20 when President Yoon visited a market in Ilsan, Gyeonggi Province. Video footage shows the bodyguard closely monitoring the crowd and paying special attention to people's hand movements, a key indicator of potential threats. Social media users praised his sharp situational awareness and dedication to duty, with many calling it a 'masterclass in protective detail work.' The incident comes as South Korea increases security measures for public figures following recent incidents involving public figures.

Japan's New PM Kachi Hayashi Holds First Press Conference

TOKYO, Oct. 21 (Xinhua) -- Japan's new Prime Minister Kachi Hayashi apologized during his first press conference on Thursday for the prolonged political vacuum and delays in cabinet formation, while emphasizing strong economic policies and diplomatic security policies. Hayashi, who won the nomination elections in both the House of Representatives and House of Councillors of the extraordinary Diet session, officially became Japan's 104th prime minister. Source: CCTV reporter Bai Chunyang.