United Nations Humanitarian Office: We are engaged in in-depth and high-level negotiations with all relevant parties to ensure that aid operations enter the Gaza Strip as soon as possible.

Israeli military spokesman: Our policy is that whenever Hezbollah fires, we will fight back.

Israeli military spokesman: Humanitarian aid entering Gaza through the Rafah crossing is to be determined.

According to Japan Jiji News Agency: Japan’s Prime Minister gave instructions including considering tax cuts.

Prime Minister Fumio Kishida, the policy leader of Japan’s ruling party, requested to study income tax cuts.

Bernstein: Lowered the target price of Baidu (BIDU.O) from $168 to $150.

The Russian ruble rose above 96 to the dollar, its highest level since September 25.

Israeli military spokesman: The evacuation of the town of Kiryat Mona allows the military to expand operations against Hezbollah.

The Dutch government advises Dutch citizens not to travel to Lebanon.

Serbian Central Bank: Consider including RMB securities in foreign exchange reserves.

Central Bank of Russia: Due to the introduction of compulsory foreign exchange sales in October, companies are expected to have less foreign currency funds in banks in the coming months.

Central Bank of Russia: The decrease in household foreign exchange funds may be due to their desire to convert foreign exchange into rubles at a high exchange rate.

Central Bank of Russia: Household foreign currency funds continued to decline in September, falling by US$900 million.

Central Bank of Russia: Russian banking industry’s profits from January to September reached 2.7 trillion rubles.

Central Bank of Russia: Consumer loan growth slowed significantly to 1.5% in September (2.4% in August).

Central Bank of Russia: Russian bank profits fell to 296 billion rubles in September (353 billion rubles in August).

Japanese Vice Minister of Finance Masato Kanda: A Japan-Australia joint statement will be released early next week.

Japanese Vice Minister of Finance Masato Kanda: Discussed the current economic situation with his Australian counterpart.

Ministry of Finance of Japan: Japan and Australia held economic talks on October 20.